Despite economic difficulties and the high price of bird seed, more people in Danang have been taking on the hobby.

Breeding birds a thriving practice in Danang

Most families in the central coastal city have at least one cage containing a songbird. In order to meet the rising demand, stores that sell birds, bird food and accessories are sprouting up along the streets.

Hoa, a local man who has raised birds for nearly a decade, said, “I have a great passion for raising birds. Even though it is getting more expensive, I just can't quit. Before, it was mostly old people who raised birds, but now it is becoming increasingly popular among young people.”

He said that, among the avid collectors, it is not uncommon to have upwards of 10 cages with various types.

This also has business implications. The rise in the number of breeders has driven up the demand for bird food, which can include grasshoppers, crickets, and ant eggs.

However, an owner of one bird store said grasshoppers are the best-selling bird food. He can sell hundreds of packs per day.

Both rising demand and a decrease in the areas where grasshoppers can grow in and around the city have driven the price of such a bird food up to exorbitantly high prices.

A package containing 15-20 grasshoppers costs around VND5,000 (USD0.23). This means one kilo is sold for around VND5 million (USD239.57), which is higher than price of large lobsters.

Vinh, another bird breeder, said that some birds are fed with a type of powder. The price for this type of food can range from VND150,000 (USD7.18) to VND800,000 (USD38.33) per kilo, higher than rice prices.

Bird food still sells despite high prices

Grasshoppers cost more than lobster

Danang citizens love their birds

Source: Dtinews