Birds raised as "housekeepers" are sold for 1 - 1.5 million VND each.

The ibis is a rare wild bird with beautiful colors, easy to raise and is popular in the market. With only 2 initial breeding birds, Mr. Tran Van Nam in Phuoc Long town, Phuoc Long district (Bac Lieu province) now has over 30 birds in the breeding stage, giving him an income of over 20 million VND/year.

Mrs. Pham Thi My (Mr. Tran Van Nam's wife) feeds the tit birds. Photo: ML

In 2013, Mr. Nam was given two pet birds by his son in Kien Giang. Seeing that birds are easy to raise, easy to care for and have a high selling price, Mr. Nam researched online and in books and newspapers how to raise breeding birds. After that, Mr. Nam bred this type of bird.

The grebe is easy to raise. Once used to it, it can be free-ranged like chickens or ducks. It is raised as an ornamental bird, as bait for trapping, for meat, or to guard the house like a dog. Many people wonder what kind of bird it is and how to raise it...

Each year, the tit bird lays three batches of eggs (from April to June). On average, a female tit bird lays 2-4 eggs per batch. After 1 month, they can be sold for 500,000 VND/pair. For older birds, after 6 months of raising, their feathers turn green and they are sold for 1-1.5 million VND/bird.

Mr. Nam said: “The most difficult part of raising a bird is the hatching stage, at that time you have to feed the young bird, after 15 days the bird is strong enough to be trained to eat with the adult bird. The bird has high resistance, easy to raise. The bird can eat fish, rice, vegetables and fruits of all kinds, so it does not cost much for food or care. Many people come to ask to buy the bird but I refuse because I have no more to sell. If I have the conditions to invest in raising a large number, the profit from the bird will be quite high.”

According to Mr. Nam, compared to other wild birds, the egret can only breed in open spaces with lots of trees (like in the wild) and ponds.