Bird Fair in Texas

Post by **Sally** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 12:08 pm

There is a Bird Fair in Temple, Texas, next Saturday, March 15. You can get directions at this site: www.texasbirdbreeders.org. See ya there!

Kiko · Post by **Kiko** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 12:13 pm

Will you take lots of pictures? We have one very small show here in the fall, going to it got me thinking about getting birds of my own.
Now I wish it was on again this spring!

Do take lots of notes and tell us what interesting birds you see there.

meghann · Post by **meghann** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 5:27 pm

Sally, we might be there!

Post by **Hilary** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 11:11 pm

Man, I'm jealous! I have to wait until May for my local mart! Of course, I don't NEED any more birds!

Post by **Sally** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 12:20 am

I haven't been to this fair before, but I noticed on the NFSS forum that some of the Texas breeders were going. I usually hit the Bird Mart in Ft. Worth, which isn't till May. I don't really have room for much more either, Hilary, with babies needing cages, but I always like to look. (And I'll take a couple of travel cages, just in case.)

meghann · Post by **meghann** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 1:01 am

I'm really glad it's soon, as I am on the hunt or a female cordon. Hopefully we find one to keep ours company!

Post by **Hilary** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:38 pm

Sally, THAT's why I don't need to go to a mart! Last year I went to sell societies and buttons and "just look". Oh, and to pick up five gouldians I had agreed to buy. Came home with the goulds, an additional gould, AND four lavenders when they were just becoming available again. Total damage - something like $850. Money from societies and buttons basically paid for lunch.

Post by **Sally** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 11:56 pm

Well, I went to the bird fair today, it was about l hour and 45 minutes from me, and I was a little disappointed. I had hoped for more vendors. A number of tables had signs saying they were reserved, but no one showed up, and there were lots of empty tables. The finches were mostly Zebras, Societies, and Gouldians, though a few vendors had more species. I actually spent most of the time visiting with various vendors I knew, and did make a lot of contacts who will have tables at the Ft. Worth Bird Mart. If they do show up, I have plans to get some birds and things then. I looked at some Gouldians, and then said I must be crazy, I have 5 adults and 9 juvies at home, so why am I looking at more Gouldians?

One vendor has the HQ single flight for $85! I was going to get one, but they will be in Ft. Worth in May with more cages, so decided to just wait and hope to get the color I wanted. They may have the double flight at that time (I didn't think to ask how much they will ask). They also had those economy 30x18x18 breeder cages for $25 for the single and $30 for the divided.

I spoke with one vendor who has been coming to these bird fairs for quite a while, and he said 5 years ago, the Ft. Worth Bird Mart had something like 250 vendors, and right now, there are only about 115 signed up for the one this May.

People were buying birds. The woman who sold me 12 used breeding cages was there with red factor canaries, and she was sold out by noon. I did buy 2 male Societies to have for fosters. Oh, well, it was interesting, and a very friendly group of vendors. And I think I need to take quite a bit of money to the Ft. Worth Bird Mart!

Kiko · Post by **Kiko** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 8:36 am

That still sounds like it was fun to visit, and the Ft. Worth one sounds really exciting!

We don't seem to have bird fairs, at least I can't google any. We do have a bird show and there were a few bird dealers there, but no cages.

Have fun at the next one!

Post by **Sally** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 11:20 am

Kiko, where are you located?

Kiko · Post by **Kiko** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 4:30 pm

Sally I am in Ottawa Canada. I went back and looked at my photos from last fall's bird show, and there were probably 2-4 bird dealers, but no cages for sale.
There was an entire cage of gold breast waxbills that I photographed. Now I am going to be very torn between getting birds this summer or waiting for the fall bird show again to see what they have!

We do have numerous finch breeders in Ottawa though. I should find out what they breed so that I can meet and talk and perhaps make a decision based on that.

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 6:29 am

Sally....wow....they were selling the HQ for only $85.00?

I will have to get myself to a bird fair this spring...there is one that is only 1 1/2 hours away...but I am afraid if I go I will come back with a whole van full of birds and supplies!!

Maybe if I drive the motorcycle I won't have room to get so much...haha!

Post by **Sally** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 11:12 am

Yes, Featherharp, those single flights were $85! I hope I didn't make a mistake by passing on them for now, but the people said they will be at the Bird Mart, and they would probably have green ones, which is the color of my other two cages. I hope they are genuine HQ cages, the latch was different but they could have changed that, and the cage seemed fine. And it is easy to come back with more than you planned for!

I always have a list, but can't seem to stick with it.

Kiko, if you have breeders in your area, it is always a good idea to get to know them. You will soon learn which ones you like, and they are invaluable as a source of information and good birds. The trouble with waiting to see what they have at the mart or fair is that no one may have what you are looking for. (And then I just can't go home empty-handed, so I make the impulse purchase!

) There is a big aviary in South Texas, they are always at the bird marts, and she said she can bring me single birds if I just let her know in advance, as they usually just bring pairs.