Does anyone here take their birds

[spiritwolf46]

to Bird shows for selling?

Just wondering, due to diseases and all.

[Janie]

I don't breed so that is something that would not apply to me but I will share what the breeder that I got my last two from said about selling at bird fairs. She did it one time (that was when I first met her) and said "never" again! The birds that she took but did not sell had to go into a full 30 day quarantine when she took them home so that they wouldn't expose her other birds incase they'd picked up some airborne disease at the bird fair. Also, there are so many "cheap" birds at bird fairs (LOTS of lovebirds in my area) and the average consumer will pay the lower price w/o considering why another lovebird is more expensive. I've seen lovebirds as low as $35 here. My breeder was selling hers for $100 and $110 so you can imagine how many buyers thought that was too expensive.


Bottom line, I don't think it would be worth the hassle or the quarantine you'd have to do with any birds you that didn't sell.

[linda040899]

I've run into the same problems. The birds I didn't sell had to do 30 day quarantine and that made more work for me.

It's not easy trying to explain to someone why your own lovebirds are worth more so you charge more when a backyard breeder is practically giving them away! It's very hard to sell an expensive mutation at a bird show when customers are looking for basic pet birds......

[michael]

I have a feeling the general consensus will be with the exception of negotiating bird supplies, it simply is not worth it. Long before bringing Goof into our home there were many breeders selling lovebirds and a few other species at local flea markets across the state. Most claimed they did better at local markets than they did at the bird fairs in other states. Going prices for lovebirds and budgies at an ashtabula market on U.S. RT.20 at one time reached an all time low of $25 which even included a cage. They were also selling in the Painesville area market for an astonishing $15.

With the exception of these cases, I've been to a few bird fairs/shows over the years. Most the time though it was just to oogle all the parrots. Some shows were decent, well attended, and provided a wealth of information without much of the usual sales pitch. Other shows were outright gastly leaving me to wonder whatever prompted anybody to even show up. Even though I had felt terribly sorry for birds that were at times obviously suffering neglect and abuse, in a way I feel fortunate my schedule hadn't afforded any prospective purchases as there's little doubt this would have been costly both financially and emotionally.......This from a non-breeder perspective.

[spiritwolf46]

This is pretty much how I have seen it as well. A lady that I know goes to the bird fairs all the time (I don't know her real well, just through calling me for birds) gets them from someone who is selling them @ a reasonable price and takes them all over Ohio bird fairs for top dollar. She usually gets it, too. I always wondered about that. Seems kind of taking a chance when you put your love and soul into what you have.

Thanks for the replies. This is exactly what I was thinking as well.

[spiritwolf46]

I have a feeling the general consensus will be with the exception of negotiating bird supplies, it simply is not worth it. Long before bringing Goof into our home there were many breeders selling lovebirds and a few other species at local flea markets across the state. Most claimed they did better at local markets than they did at the bird fairs in other states. Going prices for lovebirds and budgies at an ashtabula market on U.S. RT.20 at one time reached an all time low of $25 which even included a cage. They were also selling in the Painesville area market for an astonishing $15.

With the exception of these cases, I've been to a few bird fairs/shows over the years. Most the time though it was just to oogle all the parrots. Some shows were decent, well attended, and provided a wealth of information without much of the usual sales pitch. Other shows were outright gastly leaving me to wonder whatever prompted anybody to even show up. Even though I had felt terribly sorry for birds that were at times obviously suffering neglect and abuse, in a way I feel fortunate my schedule hadn't afforded any prospective purchases as there's little doubt this would have been costly both financially and emotionally.......This from a non-breeder perspective.

Yep! I know just what you are saying. I have only been to a few shows about 15 years ago, and went to ONE auction and left crying my eyes out. I did not like that auction at all.

Thanks so much for the reply!

[thebubbleking]

What about the people who take thier birds to the zoo! Last weekend with my daughter at the zoo was a lady walking around with a blue fronted amazon, my 2 questions were 1 the zoo let her in?!?!?!?! 2. uh how unhealthy is that?!?!?!

[Bubblelady]

When I first learned that Buddy was sick & started thinking about getting another bird, I saw a bird mart advertised as being held soon. I knew someone who had gotten a bird at this bird mart & was very happy with it. I asked the vet, and she strongly advised me not to get a bird there because of the risk of getting an ill bird. Course, she also advises against pet stores, & highly recommended a local breeder. And you know how well I took that advise. :whistle: I really was planning on getting my next baby from a breeder. Gus just had other plans for me :omg:

[Elle]

Our bud club welcomes your parrot at their meeting as long as they are clipped or on a harnass.

The topic of the very fisrt meeting I attended was " Bio security and your birds". The vet recommended not to bring your birds to the meeting just because of that. Even though some birds are tested for specific diseases, not all diseases can be tested for. The incubation period and when your bird is tested can also affect the real results. Your bird might have been tested, but the bird next to you, sitting on that lady's arm mightnot be.

The other thing he talked about is mixing different species. I'm guilty of that, I live with three species of birds and they all hang out together. He explained that some species may be carriers (i.e: budgies may carry polyamavirus but not show symptoms and lovebirds can die from it). He explained each species should have their own room with seperate ventilation. It all made sense, but for me, impossible to apply.

With that said, I don't take my birds out of the house anymore. I cannot control the environment outside of my house but I can have some control inside my house as to whom may come in and who stays out.

[spiritwolf46]

What about the people who take thier birds to the zoo! Last weekend with my daughter at the zoo was a lady walking around with a blue fronted amazon, my 2 questions were 1 the zoo let her in?!?!?!?! 2. uh how unhealthy is that?!?!?!

Those are VERY good questions!!! OMG! I cannot imagine that! I would be so scared of diseases! :omg:

[linda040899]

Like Elle, I don't take my birds out in public anymore. I lucked out when I was doing bird shows but that luck won't last forever! 30 day quarantine after a show is no fun, either! :(

[Christian]

I went to a bird fair once..and that was enough. There were so many visibly ill birds that I was terrified of bringing home diseases to my Boogie. I think that I lucked up on the price of him...he came from a breeder, was handfed from 5 days, and only cost $45.00. By far the best $45 I've ever spent. Of course, that doesn't include the hundreds I've spent on vet visits, cages, toys, food, etc.