Bronzed winged mannikin's

GOULDYGIRL · Post by **GOULDYGIRL** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:17 pm

I've definetly got the bug. I was in my local petstore. I know it's definetly not the place to buy birfs but I saw the cutest pair of mannikins and they looked so sad in their little cage. They are tiny little things, seem even smaller then the red fire finch I have my eye on. I don't know what it is with the tiny finches but they are so adorable. Anyway, so tempting to take them home and give em the good life. They sure were cute!!! I'm debating now to either get another pair of Goulds, that fire finch I love, I want a pair of society's and now I'm thinking of the mannikins. I'm in trouble, lol!

Renee

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:28 pm

I think I am one of the few that think you can buy a healthy finch from a pet store or breeder or you can get A unhealthy finch from a pet store or breeder.You need to really check out the finch you want to see if its ok.
I think if you could buy a finch from one of the members here you would get a good bird they take care of there birds out of love of the birds not just to make a sale

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:33 pm

I've gotten several finches from a petstore - they've always been healthy. Soooo, wooohooo for new birds, Renee!!

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:34 pm

It is definitely possible to find healthy finches at pet stores. Too many questions remain as far as relationship and age that can't get answered that I don't like. The only finches I've purchased at a pet store have been societies.

GOULDYGIRL · Post by **GOULDYGIRL** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:50 pm

If you have a good eye then yes, I agree. It depends I guess on what your looking for. If just a pet with no intentions on breeding or knowing the history and if the animal looks ok then yes. The two I saw seemed ok, but one of them was a bit puffed up so I wondered if it was ok or not. As I was observing them, the puffed up one hopped off his perch and started to eat so I wasn't sure. He then went back to the perch and sat puffed a bit. The other one wasn't puffed so if I took them I'd definetly keep them far away from my birds till I knew they were ok. I unfortunately, have to take it slowly now because I have two cages already and my husband thinks I'm nuts! LOL I had to start with these finches and so many varieties!! ugh!

I asked one of the workers if they knew if they were a pair and they didn't know so there ya go. Even the place were I bought my goulds which is a finch and canary specialty store I don't know 100% if my pair is unrelated or not. They said they weren't that they got them from two different breeders but I guess if you don't actually get them from a breeder and their not banded then who really knows.

Renee

bonnies_gouldians · Post by **bonnies_gouldians** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:06 pm

I agree, I dont think the health is the issue. At least with a petstore you get a 14 day health guarantee most of the time (depending on where you get the bird from). I would think that age/sex/parentage is the concern. Most of the time, stores will not guarantee the sex of the bird, they rarely know the age, and parentage is out of the question as so few pet store birds are banded. All that being said, I have purchased all my birds from pet stores except my gouldians and they seem to be fine, happy, and healthy. I adopted my zebra finches because "Uno" has one eye and his mate was picked naked by the group.

GOULDYGIRL · Post by **GOULDYGIRL** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:10 pm

Funny thing is, these Mannikins are banded, my goulds are not.

Renee

bonnies_gouldians · Post by **bonnies_gouldians** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:25 pm

thats pretty cool. Can you tell from the banding if they are related? Are they closed or open banded? See what info you can find out about the banding, sounds promising!

GOULDYGIRL · Post by **GOULDYGIRL** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:29 pm

I don't know what closed or open banded means. They were in a glass enclosed room so couldn't even attempt to read the bands, I just saw they were silver bands. Sigh... you guys are bad, lol

Renee

bonnies_gouldians · Post by **bonnies_gouldians** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:33 pm

Silver probably means metal, meaning closed banded. If they are closed banded, ask an employee to catch the birds and have them let you write down the info from the bands. I know a couple people on the forum close band their birds and would be able to give you an idea of where to try to determine what the engravings mean. I think Liz is one of the people that close bands, am I mistaken?

GOULDYGIRL · Post by **GOULDYGIRL** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:12 pm

If I go through all that then I'll have to get them Bonnie! LOL! I don't know if I'm ready yet. I only have one spare cage and it's only 18 x18 too small right??? but that's all I have at the moment, so have to buy a new cage as well, ugh!

Renee

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 8:06 am

yes, that cage is really too small.......
I also have bought a few from pet stores. I had no problems with them.
But I am amazed at how little the employees know about birds.

I think I will get me a summer job working at a pet store with the birds.
(not!)

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:03 am

I would say the 18x18 cage is okay as a temporary quarantine cage. That would give you a month (at least) to get a new bigger cage. Getting excited yet?

GOULDYGIRL · Post by **GOULDYGIRL** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 10:25 am

I think so too Liz, that's what I did with my goulds till I got them a bigger cage. They were fine for a few weeks. I just don't want to move too fast too soon. I have a few different finches in mind and don't have too much space.. sigh. When my husband has more time I know he'll build me a nice aviary. I rather have that then have multiple cages all over the place.

Renee

bonnies_gouldians · Post by **bonnies_gouldians** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 10:32 am

Donna - I agree about the lack of knowledge on birds in general at the pet stores. I was shocked when I first worked at one about how little most of the employees knew about any of the livestock that was in the building. Most only know what is in the training manual and that is hardly enough detail on half the species in the store, its a good overview, but people need to go do their research about the animals in the department and they just dont care. I know as much as I do now mostly because of this website and am grateful I have been able to answer many questions that I could not have because of you guys

Renee - I understand the bug and can appreciate all that being a ton of effort. I say go with your gut and if it says to wait, then wait. If the finch was at a petstore, I am pretty sure they can get more of that species even if that pair gets sold, and there is always bird marts. You should definetly get a bigger cage though, always good to have a spare cage that is big enough to house your *accidental* new arrivals

("How did that follow me home?!?!)