Getting a new Zebra Finch - How has PetCo been for you?

[Sir Bubbles]

So I'd like to get a new Zebra Finch very soon, because my current zebe Melody is all alone after losing 2 of her friends in the span of a month. I'm a little bit wary about buying another one from PetCo after one of them inexplicably dying. I don't know if this was PetCo's fault or what, but I'm still hesitant either way. I live near Wenatchee WA and this is pretty much my only choice within reasonable driving distance. I can't find any information online about any local breeders or anything like that.

So I guess basically what I'm getting at here is that PetCo being my only choice, how have your experiences been with getting zebes from them? I've had 3 so far. One that lived for a good 8 months before she died from an accident unrelated to health, another that has been going strong for nearly 9 months, and the most recent one that died in only 3 weeks. So 2 out of 3 seem to be have been pretty healthy, and it could have been something out of PetCo's control that caused her to die ( no idea what. ) I've just been going through a lot of frustration, fear, and sadness lately and I'm terribly afraid of going out and buying another zebe only for it to drop in another month or two and repeat the process all over again. Are these birds just THAT fragile, or is it more of a problem with careless retailers not treating them very well?

I'd like to hear your thoughts and advice.

[KarenB]

Sometimes we just never know what causes them to die. I had a gouldian from a reputable breeder that died suddenly just like your zebra did. In fact, I lost a parrot finch hen the same way only a few weeks after that. I don't really know what happened to them. They were healthy one minute, dead the next. I blame night frights for it, because there was no other logical explanation.

In your case, it could have been just about anything like that, or not. Sometimes birds just die. I think you just had a bad string of luck, and I wouldn't let that keep you from the joy of getting another bird. Granted, PetCo wouldn't be my choice, but if it's all you've got, it's all you've got.

[Sir Bubbles]

Yeah you make a good point about the string of bad luck and it keeping me from getting another bird. When I initially bought my first two birds, I was pretty much immediately hooked and in love, and now I can't imagine life without them. Losing one is very painful, but it doesn't quite compare to the joy of having them - even if it is for a short while. I guess in the end all I can do is just hope that they stick with me and stay strong, and continue giving them the best lives I can.

[Sally]

If Petco is your only option, then you haven't a lot of choice. This is an active bird club in the Pacific Northwest, so they might be able to help get you in touch with some local breeders.

https://sites.google.com/site/cascadecanary/

[Sheather]

I have never heard of a petco that sells finches...?

[KarenB]

I know the Petcos in Houston do sell them, at least the ones I have been to. They also sell canaries, societies and budgies.

[MiaCarter]

I do not recommend buying birds (or any other live animal) from Petco or Petsm@rt.

I've worked at one of these stores when I was a teen. I have a writeup that explains where these birds come from and what happens to them if they get returned to the store:
http://wp.me/p4JWrl-7D

They are raised in commercial breeding facilities, which are a place where birds only exist to breed.

Ethical issues aside, it's a stressful place where they receive only the bare minimum -- poor living conditions, poor diet, etc. There is no attention to pedigree of breeding for quality. It's about quantity and profit.

Then they're transferred to pet stores where they languish in stressful conditions for weeks, months or longer, which takes an awful toll on their health.

For this reason, these birds often die at a young age (or shortly after you adopt them -- many are actually much older than you realize, as they sell birds once they've exhausted their breeding potential.)

With a breeder, you'll get a bird who was bred for quality and lovingly cared for and nurtured. The difference is quite noticeable in terms of health and longevity in my experience.
Plus, they can provide info on a bird's temperament, history and so forth.

You can also find lots of birds who need a home due to someone who's downsizing or moving or whatnot. I would opt for one of these re-homed birds before I went to Petco or Petsm@rt.

I have purchased birds from these stores on a couple occasions, but it was always a rescue mission of a sick or injured bird, where I knew there was a chance they wouldn't survive and the bird was either free or marked down to a token fee.
If I was seeking a healthy, well-bred companion, I would not turn to one of these shops.
In fact, my most recent rescued bird who died was the one I'd rescued from Petsm@rt just a couple months ago. Broke my heart.

So if you have a choice, I would opt for a breeder. I'm sure you could find one in your area for a more common species such as a zebra.

[Sir Bubbles]

Thanks for the information everyone. Unfortunately it seems my only choice is PetCo. I've looked around for breeders or even people selling Zebra Finches anywhere remotely close to me, and without making a 6-7 hour round trip over the mountains to Seattle, there's really not much. So, PetCo it is.

I think I'm going to get at least 2 birds, mostly so that way if one of them happens to go so soon again, then at least there will still be one more, and Melody wont be alone. I'm also going to try and pick out the more dominant looking birds. My most recent bird who passed away - Snowy, was being picked on and was obviously very timid, more so than Melody and Sunny ever were. I think this factored into her cause of death in some way, but I'm no expert. I think this is the best I can do and the best chance I've got. I'm also a little more optimistic knowing that both Sunny and Melody were always pretty healthy, strong birds, and I got them both from PetCo about 9 months ago. So maybe Snowy was just some awful luck. Either way, here's hoping there will be two new happy healthy birds to wake up to for many months to come.

[CHIRP]

Mia that was interesting reading and how you point out stuff, personally me, I wont buy a bird from a pet shop, these places are very stressful places in general, all the noise, people, animals making noises etc, and how long they are in the shop is another concern, I would ONLY buy privately, it is much better AND you can see the owners set up and how well he pays attention to cleanliness etc etc........ and contamination is another issue, getting a strange bird and putting him / her with your good stock so to speak.............mmmmm rather buy private, just my 2 cents....

(sorry to hijack this post and direct my answer to another person but the poster)

[ApricotMuffins]

- Snowy, was being picked on and was obviously very timid, more so than Melody and Sunny ever were. I think this factored into her cause of death in some way, but I'm no expert.

Sometimes, the cage-mates will pick on a bird that is ill or weakened to chase them away since they are no longer healthy. At this point, it would be impossible to say whether she was ill or just stressed by aggressive finches.

Anywho, I bought my first two finches (a NG cock and CFW hen) from PetSmart, and they are still with me a year later and doing very well. They've raised 2 clutches together, and I'm sure they would have had at least 5 by now if I hadn't pulled their nest.

There is a zebra finch breeder out in Tacoma who has a lot of interesting mutations, but that is still a 5 hour round trip. However, this breeder is willing to ship through the mail. Granted, that's still a bit of money between postage and the shipping container, but at least you could guarantee you were buying young birds that came from a good environment and had records that detailed their breeding lines.

If you have to buy PetCo, I would definitely look for birds that are the "top of the heap" so to speak--it'll give you better odds that your birds are in decent condition.