Buying finches online and having them air shipped

rkn · Post by **rkn** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 7:29 pm

Has anyone done this and if so what are your feelings? I am looking at two finch breeders, one in Ca. other in KS/MO. anyway I am thinking of ordering a dozen finches (different species pairs) for my finch large garden and want to know the ups & downs you all have experiencedwith online ordering. Both say they guarantee thier shipments but being so far away, and new to finches, and too know it is only a hassle at best to try to recoup money, well i want to avoid any problems if possible!

so in a trying to avoid petco or pet smart (who btw offer to order all the birds i want and guarantee their health) and buying thru a reputable breeder, well advice? anyone? Many of the birds are just as expensive if ordering thru the pet store as mentioned. But too, I am trying to support the local dedicated finch lover/breeder has become important sort to speak.

ideas? anyone?

Thank you,
rita

Post by **Sally** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:28 pm

I have only had birds shipped once, and it was a very good experience. This was in January, cold weather, and they came from San Diego to Texas. This man has it down to a science, and the birds were chirping already on the way home from the airport.

The one caution I would add is to try to get references. It is difficult when you are dealing with someone you have never met and know little about, and you want to make sure they are reputable.

The birds would only be traveling one day, and the airlines are used to handling them. What airline would they use? I know that Delta is about $95-100, though it could be going up with the rise in fuel prices. I believe Continental is more.

jamezyboo21 · Post by **jamezyboo21** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:16 am

i was planning on doing that so i can have diffrent colors sincei couldntfind anyone with zebra finches. but the shipping and all that stuff was just a worry and pricy. luckily i finally found someone who had what i was looking for.Maybe if i was not worried bout the budget i would've gave it a try but just make sure you get good feedback on the breeder good references i would hate for you to make the deal and end up in a bad situation.

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 3:46 pm

Personally I would NEVER ship. Many folks do But I wont. I wont bother ya with details, lol

The only thing i ever go tbrave enough to have shipped were som efish one time it was guaranteed 24 hour delivery and they had heat packed the box etc.

well the actual time 48 minutes via USPS the mail carrier decided to drive around with them all day and WHy is beyond me as they were for PICK UP not delivery we dont even have a mailbox.

I called furious while they hunted for them.
then they met us at the door after hours to give us my fish I was livid.
1/2 dead and at 65.00 a fish not cool.

but birds yea never sorry got off track, lol

Post by **Sally** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 2:35 am

Sometimes the only way you can get the more exotic species is to have them shipped. I live in the Ft. Worth, TX, area, but it is not always easy to find the birds I want. The other incentive to shipping is to get some different bloodlines, if you are breeding. There are still a few people who ship birds USPS, I think, but the only way to go is via the airlines. Less than 24 hours, and they are very experienced at it. It is expensive, so it only makes sense economically for the harder-to-find birds, and if you get multiple birds, that spreads the cost of shipping around. Of course, it is not an option if you live too far from any airport.

jamezyboo21 · Post by **jamezyboo21** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 11:43 pm

If you do plan on doing this, i will say good luck! Sally had a good expierence with hers so maybe you will. im sure they wouldnt do this unless they were sure they could garuntee it. i dont know. maybe if there is that one bird i really want but have to ship it, i might just do it.

fairestfinches · Post by **fairestfinches** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 11:00 pm

We have had many good experiences with shipping birds. The key is making sure that you are getting good healthy birds and that the person who is shipping them knows how to properly ship birds. Check references on the breeders, and make sure others have had good results with that breeder and the shipping method that they use.

Delta is very good, and we use them regularly. We have never lost a bird druing shipment with them. (Knock on wood. . .)

Sean