Buying from a Breeder Directly

[debbie276]

Babs
I always put the birds I'm selling in a separate large cage when I know someone is coming so they know which are available to them. They are welcome to look at my set-ups and other birds. I've never had a problem with anyone getting too close or even touching the wire inside or even the outside aviary. I also have never lost a bird because I allow it.
I don't use hand sanitizers nor do I try to keep a more sterile area where the birds are. The birds are in the main part of the house and anyone visiting us the birds would be exposed to. With 3 sons and all their friends in and out I just don't see how I'd be able to separate them from the birds anyway.
It's a very personal choice and I understand and I'm fine with anyone not wanting to open up their house and/or birdroom. I just choose not to buy under those conditions.

[Sally]

Great discussion! Everyone's circumstances are different, so I can actually agree with everyone here!

Large-scale breeders often are the ones most likely to have closed aviaries, simply because of the financial investment. One disease introduced into the flock can be disastrous. With the larger hookbills, theft is definitely a possibility too.

I agree with the comments about outdoor birds being healthier. It just makes sense that those birds that get more exercise, the sunshine they need, and the chance to build up immunity are going to be healthier/stronger. Indoor birds ARE often hothouse flowers that don't have nearly as much resistance to disease/stress.

I also prefer to meet someone in a public place, unless I know them, or unless I have a good feeling about them. I think you can get to know people fairly well on places like this forum, but when answering ads like craigslist, safety is a real concern.

For me, marts are a good place to buy stock, as I have a chance to see all the birds they brought and talk to the breeder. You can tell a lot just by looking at the birds/cages and asking questions.

[zebsoc]

Debbie 276 - I hadn't thought of their having a building outside or attachment. Makes since if it's a closed aviary.

Jen - thank you for the suggestions on what to look for.
Being new to this all I could think of looking for was if they weren't joining in with the others being active.

[slwatson]

Babs

We have a dachshund mix that does that same thing! He can run us right out of a room!

[kyle]

I would think healthy Birds should have the healthy immune system. Creating a Plastic Bubble around your finches would only weaken them in time. How do you develop a strong immune system without inoculation? Such is Nature's design. The only time I would be concerned is if the finches aren't well to begin with in which case they'd be in quarantine away from the other finches. After coming back from breeders or Pet Shop I wash my hands before handling my finches

[debbie276]

kyle

What is Nature's Design?

[ac12]

Zeb

If the bird does NOT look good...pass on the bird. I don't believe in the line that the bird will get better when you take him home. If the bird looks not well at the store/show, it may get worse at home. So buy only healthy looking birds.

If you bring home a 'rescue' bird, the bird could recover, or it could die. I don't take that chance.

In an apartment, you do have a location for quarantine, the bathroom. Set up a quarantine cage in your bathroom. And be strict about how you move between the bathroom and the rest of the apartment. Wash your hands well before leaving, and dust yourself down.

When I come home from a bird show. As soon as I come in the house, all the clothes come off and go into the wash. Too many unknows at a bird show. Then I take the new birds up to the master bathroom, where I have my quarantine cage setup.

My feeding routine is to feed the flock first, then do to the quarantine cage last. This is to try to prevent taking anything from the quarantine care to the flock.

The floor vac that I use around the flock stays there. I use a different vac for the master bath, where the quarantine cage is. You can get an inexpensive electric broom, which is what I use, and it is 'good enough.'

[kyle]

debbie276
Strong immune systems only develop when being introduced to normal everyday bugs or bacteria or whatever. Too sterile environment has the adverse effect weakens your immune system. Mother Nature planned for this knows what she's doing.

[debbie276]

Oh, ok I thought it was a product you knew about.
Yes, can't beat mother nature ;)

[Jen]

Good discussion. Everyone has to make their own choices because we all don't have the same opportunities available to us where we all live. Sometimes you take a chance and it works for you, sometimes not.

I try to gather business cards from folks I meet at shows and fairs and make notations on their cards about the person and birds they had to sell. After a couple of seasons going to different bird fairs, I've met people and recognize the "regulars" and know them. It takes time to get to know bird people just like it took time for me to learn about birds. It's all a part of what I love about this hobby...aka: addiction!

[ac12]

Zeb
I'm on the SF peninusula, where are you, central valley?

I get most of my stock from the Pleasanton or San Jose bird shows.
And I do as I said. I look for active birds with tight feathers. If they look questionable, I will pass. I don't want to have to nurse a bird back to health, which may or may not succeed. And if it doesn't, that is money down the toilet. And gouldians are not cheap birds, especially the blues. So I want the bird healthy when I get it.

I have not been to the bird shows for a while, as I can't buy any birds while I have birds in quarantine. Or in this case, testing the societies for C&C, where they have to foster raise gouldian chicks to weaning.

[zebsoc]

ac12 - very good advice thank you. I hadn't thought of the bathroom which would definitely work since I have a guest bathroom, guests will get to share with new birds .

Yes I am in central valley.

[Rox]

A very interesting subject!

I've previously only sold a few birds directly from my home, usually selling my gouldian's off in one large batch to a trader to avoid having too many people come to my house.

However, I have decided going forward to sell all my birds myself. I feel that this way, I can at least help educate the people buying the birds and hopefully help the birds I bred get a better chance going forward. As my birds are outdoors in aviaries, catching them up each time a person comes over is a mission. I will now be waiting until I have xx amount of birds to sell. These will be caught up, put into holding flights for easy catching and only then advertised for sale. Flight cages will then be brought outside for viewing or shown in my garage. I'm not keen on people entering my house. I've also recently joined a group specifically for selling finches in SA, so all advertising will be done there. I don't want complete strangers coming to my house if possible.

As to viewing my aviaries - no problem. I believe in sharing knowledge and giving advice where possible. However, I don't allow anyone to enter my aviaries. I don't want any germs walked in. For safety, my aviaries are kept locked at all times and they would have to face my dogs if they tried to break in. Also good luck to whoever does try to break in and catch all those birds without being noticed. It will take them a looooong time to catch them all!!

[lovezebs]

Babs

Having the farting Pitties around, would definitely be a deterrent for any burglar

[Babs _Owner]

lovezebs

LOL "Get 'em girl!!" pfffffttttttttt!