Question for South African Bird Keepers

[AndreasLon]

My partner wants to move to SA in a few years and I'm wondering what the bird keeping world is like over there. Is easy to find good brands of food and supplements? Also what is the availability of birds, such as australian and african waxbills?

Thank you,

Andreas.

[Domenic]

*awaiting Monique*

[B CAMP]

You might check out a members post from SA, williep
hasn't been on for sometime but he had some very good info

[monotwine]

So sorry Andreas, did not see this sooner.

I can only give you my own experience and I am pretty new to birds (only been in the hobby for 4 years)

Bird breeding and keeping is very popular, has been for many years too. We have various breeds available and some very serious breeders upcountry (Johannesburg/Pretoria) where the weather is somewhat more favourable. I have not even started to search for special species. I have never seen European finches for sale here. That may just be that I have never come across them though.
If you look hard enough here you can find just about any sort of bird. All depends on what you want. Additionally you can import without too much hassel. Options are available, but you also need to be quite weary of whom you are getting your birds from. Alas our pet stores here are very much under educated on the birds or varieties that can be offered. It is best to go through private breeders, but you sort of have to find them via word of mouth.
You can keep all bar a few types of birds which are considered pests and you will need permits to house and move captive South African birds.

As to food. There is all sorts available, but not necessarily to my mind all good quality. Usually the good pre packaged types are super expensive and only of a few brand varieties. Most of us just buy seed in bulk and mix our own along with added supplements and egg food etc.
We definately DON't have the variety you do, but we have all the medicines, just not necessarily in fancy packaging but it does the same thing and costs alot less. I once bought in Scatt from Lady Gouldian and the import fees was as much as the product. Total came to near $60 for the bottles and I only found our later I could get the same active ingredient for under $1 from my vet or specialised pet store. Agricultural based medicine is the cheaper with the same ingredients as the imported brands which you would probably recognise. Only specialist stores would stock them though as they have an expiry date and certain medications you need licensing for so small pet stores won't keep them.

Finding a good local source for all you finch keeping needs can be tricky. There are lots of little pet stores that don't really keep much of use and there will be one feed store that may be able to help you with everything. It all depends where you are located. My nearest big pet shop that specialises in birds and racing pigeons is an hours drive away. There I can find anything, but my local pet shop is only good for a packet of seed if I run out.

Obviously these lists are ever changing, but this will give you a rough idea of what is on the market.
http://www.birdtrader.co.za/site/default.asp
http://www.avizandumbirdsforsale.co.za/

If you come this way you would be more than welcome to contact me. I can help you were I can and save you some of the grief I went through finding decent breeders.

[AndreasLon]

Whoah! You guys have everything! And here I was thinking that I'd struggle to find some rare waxbills but I saw twinspots, lavenders and others.

OK, it's settled, I can move to SA. It won't be for at least 4 years, but I'm just looking ahead and making plans.

Thank you so much Monique.

[monotwine]

He he, easy as that to make up your mind!

Added bonus is here you can keep a big outdoor aviary too without worrying about snow. What a pleasure.

[AndreasLon]

He he, easy as that to make up your mind!

Added bonus is here you can keep a big outdoor aviary too without worrying about snow. What a pleasure.

Yep, I saw lavenders and I knew SA was the country for me!