Questions for those who breed birds

[Cyard]

I just wanted to fully educate myself on what some of the things that breeders or people who sell bird should be concerned with. I have absolutely no intention of breeding but I have been considering possibly taking in rescue birds and I assume that I would then have similar concerns as a breeder when bringing an outside animal in to my home (I am beginning to explore this and before I make a commitment I need to get as much info as possible). I know what I am concerned with and looking for when I am looking for a new family member but I guess I wanted to be educated from the professionals.

 

I definately look for a clean environment, active birds, people who are interactive with the bird, good references, no complaints with Better Business Burea, I call a couple vets and talk about who they recommend, and I usually want to know what kind of education/training they have had and how they apply this training to better thier birds lives and most importantly do they have the birds tested for diseases and have they had a disease issue with a bird in thier facility lately but I want to know more.

 

I am a biology major and I seem to always ask questions and I am really looking forward to hearing different perspectives. I am hoping that this can benefit not just me but those of us who are looking to add to our families in the future.

[ziggy]

Hello Cyard,

Good for you to want to learn for one, and that you want to rescue a bird. A rescue bird is not always a breeder. They rang from abuse to a death in the family. There are many many reasons you will find birds in a sanctuary. To rescue a bird that needs love and work is a great thing. There is no dought that buying a baby and watching it grow from this little bald chic to a talking little chatterbox is a great experiance. By way of a rescue there are other ways to get the same satisfaction. Like when people that cant have children but love children they have to adopt to fill the void they have in there heart, Well a rescue bird needs the same love that a adopted child needs. A good sanctuary will have a strict NO BREEDING policy, a home inspection, a long and detailed application, for you to meet with the bird a couple of time to make sure that the bird is right for you and that you are right for the bird, they should also have a good foster home progrm for birds that wont fit in the sanctuary, follow up visits to check on you and the bird, and a policy that you will not try to sell or give the bird to just anyone.( most will try to rehome the bird if its not going to work out ). I am just now going through this to rescue 2 blue front amazons and a orange wing amazon. I feel very good about how the rescue performs there policy. You should see all of the things that I listed and all the things that you listed. Clean cages, good contact with the bird, vet checked, they look healthy, good food being fed to them, ect. Im glad you are considering a rescue instead of a baby there are so many birds that need good loving homes out there. They need to be worked with and loved but they can be a great companion for you in the long run. Just remember to have them checked by your vet before you take then in the home. Have a quarintine area ready for at least 45 days.<br><br>Post edited by: ziggy, at: 2007/12/07 14:34

[Cyard]

Thank you for the advice. I agree that it is just like adopting children in that you have to be patient and loving and let them know that you are there forever and patiently ready to except them for who they are and ready to help them. I definately know this because I have three adopted children and had two surprises who I am lucky enough to be blessed with. I have really been considering becoming a foster home for birds and I was just worried because I won't do anything to comprimise Newton our Grey, Monkey our Goffin or CLoudy our Parakeet. They are the whole center of my universe and I can't imagine life without any of them.

[ziggy]

Hello Cyard,

I suggest if you are really looking to become a foster home for birds you need the following things in place before you even consider it.

 

1)Have a good quarintine area away from you birds.(min 45 days)

2)Have a good avian vet.

3)Test your birds reaction first to new comers.

4)Have all your fosters try to co-exsist with your play areas and your birds.

 

I have to ask you though are you going to be a foster home where people will be able to adopt from you or are you going to adopt from others and house them with you on a permanent basis?

 

The reason I ask is that your consern is to keep your guys the way they are. The grey might show that he does not like this. Greys are birds of routine, and the less stress for them the better. Your others might or might not mind, but for the grey he might not be okay with this sudden change. This is a risk you have to take with a grey, when you have him settled in. This might not happen but the odds are that he will be affected some how. The best way is to rescue or adopt a bird(s) and keep them. At first the grey will act up but like all things he will settle back in because the new addition will become part of this new routine. The goal here is to keep the birds you have now comfy, but if you deside to choose the temp housing this will be more stressful on them.<br><br>Post edited by: ziggy, at: 2007/12/08 06:22