FINCHforum

So I was at my local Petsmart the other day, and they actually had a gouldian finch there! She was way too overpriced, but I was looking at her and noticed her beak was really long. Not necessarily overgrown...just long. Different from all of my goulds, anyway. Is this just because she's got maybe some different genes or is it a health issue?

Sorry, I can't help you with the beak issue, but I am curious what they had the bird priced at.

Thanks.

hi

It was probably around $130 each for a normal-colored bird.

That doesn't sound so bad actually...where do you live?

...as far as the beak goes...it can be diet, genes, lack of access to good wiping surfaces...or any combination thereof...

...I have a couple of finches that need regular beak trims...it's not hard to do...

I live in Kansas City. There's a breeder by me who sells her normals for $60 each or $100 for a pair...and then there's a breeder that I know of who sells his normals for $45.

Wow! Here normals sell from $80 to $100 each from breeders (including me). Our PetSmarts have them priced at $139 each.

(Hi back to finchloverzebra)

Our Petsmart sells Goulds for $130 (Western NY) and has them quite frequently.

Well, that's not too bad. But the Petsmarts are just overpriced, I guess...maybe. I wonder if they would ever buy any birds from a breeder (like me??))

You should ask them, it won't hurt.

Petsmart doesn't buy from 'regular' small breeders...they only buy from larger, vet. approved facilities that supply a large number of stores...

...your best bet for small numbers of birds are the mom & pop stores...

Yeah, I didn't think so...just wondering. I thought I could actually give them some healthy-looking birds for once! Oh well.