Lost my Timneh baby

[arabela]

Hi everyone,

I'm a lurker, enjoy reading everyone's posts when I have time. I lost my 4-month-old baby Timneh and am wondering if anyone can tell me how you go about finding a reputable breeder to buy from. I had bought Elmer, my Timneh, at one of the exotic bird expos we have in Orlando. This was back in October, and he was a little over 2 months old. I have bought birds at the expo before and never had any problems, although I have heard stories of people whose birds ended up sick. Well I guess my luck ran out because my little Elmer had an infection that must have been dormant and kicked in this past week. I tried taking him to the vet Monday because he was sort of listless, but every vet I called would not let me bring him in (said they were booked). I finally gave up and accepted the appointment for the next day (and of course now I'm always going to regret that!), and he got worse Monday night and was pretty out of it by Tuesday morning, just sitting hunched over and quite weak. I rushed him to the nearest place that would take him, almost an hour away, and the vet said she thought she could save him and he must have an infection. He was there all day yesterday and last night, and this morning the vet called to tell me he had died this morning.

I've been so upset all day, even after only having him for a couple months I had grown so attached to him. I have 2 other greys, both congos, and had always wanted a Timneh. I love my congos, they are super birds and such fun, wouldn't trade them for anything, but this Timneh baby was SO sweet. I carried him around on my shoulder all over the place (I know, shoulders are bad, but he never acted up), and he sat with me to watch TV, was friendly to everyone, such a little clown, sweet as can be.

Anyway, I am scared to buy another bird from the expo as it is possible that's where he got sick. So I want to look for a reputable breeder and hopefully find a baby from there sometime in the near future. Doesn't have to be right this minute, but I'm just going to start looking. The empty cage sitting here by my desk is sad.

If anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd be grateful. By the way, I live in Florida, near Orlando.

Thanks so much.

Teresa

[Oscars Mom]

Im so sorryabout your baby tag. Id check out birdbreeders .com.There are lots of breeders in Fla.

[Xray Susie]

I'm sorry, too. Good luck in your search.

One thing that I've thought of....is the cage ok, or should it be decontaminated before you get another TAG? Are your other birds safe?

[Lisa B]

I am sorry to hear of your baby. I dont know of any good breeders down there, that have sweet babies.
I will keep my ears open for you. Can your vet suggest one? I would definitly check for references....
again, I am sorry.

[PowerBBS]

The last few pages of BirdTalk Magazine (that you should be able to find possibly on the magazine rack at your local Walmart or Walden Books store) has a lot of possibilities for you to check out.

Incidently.... Magazines.com offers year subscriptions to the monthly publication BirdTalk magazine for only 13.99/yr. That's about 1/2 off. Exotic Bird Magazine subscriptions are hard to come by it seems (not much out there) and the other ones I have found cost outrageous amounts per year subscription.

Good luck finding a new fid for your family.

[LyndaM]

Originally Posted by arabela

(and of course now I'm always going to regret that!)

Theresa, I'm so sorry for your loss. Please don't feel bad -- you did the best you could.

[Asad]

I am very sorry for your loss. You did your best. Please, don't feel guilty.

[dodgewoman]

I'm so sorry. You had no idea. I lost a bird to egg binding and I will forever feel like I should have done more. You do the best you can with what you have at the time.

[arabela]

Thank you everyone for your kind words.

I had already cleaned the cage real good after I left Elmer at the vet, thinking he would be coming back. I don't think it was anything that could be transmitted but I'm not sure so will ask the vet before bringing in another bird. The cage is not in the same room as my other birds, so they should be fine. I was keeping Elmer in the room I use for my office because I spend 90% of my time in here. His cage is on one side of my desk and his play stand is on the other. It is a very sad sight right now.

Someone mentioned birdbreeders.com so I contacted a couple of people in Florida and one lady (with high ratings and several really good comments from past customers) responded saying her greys should be laying any day now and she will let me know when she has some. So hopefully I can get another TAG baby in a few months' time.

I am also going to ask the vet about what she thinks about buying from the expo because we have another one coming up in February. I have never had a problem before but now I am not sure. If nothing else though it is a super place to buy toys and cages, great prices.

Thanks again everyone.

Teresa

[chingy12]

So sorry about your baby. Wish you luck finding a good breeder for your new baby.