breeder vs shops

[Snowy]

Is there a big difference in buying a bird from a bird shop or a breeder?
I know that with dogs, I would NEVER buy from a pet shop and always go directly to a reputable breeder (not backyard breeders without all the medical clearances). Is it the same with birds?

I did buy my budgie from petco, but I don't think I want to get a parrot from there. I do have access to a couple of stores where they handfeed their birds - and found a couple of breeders within driving distance.

Any tips/suggestions on how to select a bird and where to do it would be appreciated!

[jbeany]

We bought our last yellow naped amazon from a quality pet shop and he was the light of our lives. We recently purchased another yellow naped amazon from another very reputable pet shop and the avian vet said she is "the picture of health" and we love her to pieces. If you go with a pet shop, just make sure they are reputable and have a lot of knowledge on birds. Good luck!!

[birdlady49]

A reputable breeder will have more information about your new companion than a petstore usually will. You can possibly meet your baby's parents, know his exact birthdate, see what foods should be fed etc etc. Usually, too, breeders will be less expensive as they don't have the overhead that petstores usually have.

Then again I'm a former breeder so of course I'll lean in that direction.

[Nazir's]

Personally, I would seek out a reputable breeder or rescue. Pet shops have not ever been an option for me when it comes to obtaining pets. TJMO

[Monica]

Omar's is certainly a great place to check out!


Generally speaking, if you go with a reputable breeder, the birds tend to be healthier and cheaper. They [birds] may even be more friendly than petstore birds who are poked at daily by strangers. Then again, a great bird store would have VERY friendly birds, willing to give advice, help you pick out the right stuff for your bird, etc.

Whoever you go with be sure they are reputable! I don't even recommend buying a budgie from a petstore if a better place could be had...

[janejacinto]

Small private bird stores can be great places to get birds. They breed, or know their breeders. The birds can be social, open to new and different things. They are very careful with illness, they don't want sick birds coming into their shoppe. Our local bird store is great.

Many breeders don't want people to know where they live or in their homes. They don't want illness brought into their homes. They don't want people they don't know into their homes. Some are very careful when it comes to their birds and homes.

If you can find a breeder in your area, that would be great. Don't be fooled by cheap prices, sometimes you get what you pay for. Be very careful in what ever you do. Call a local avian vet and see where they say to get a bird. They know most good breeders and stores in the area.
Jane

[jgee]

I know from previous posts this can be a controversial topic. I agree with one of the other posters than a specialty bird store can be a good place to get a bird. Chain pet stores should be avoided, period. No reputable breeder would sell their birds to a chain store.

Personally, I would ALWAYS get a bird from a reputable breeder who I develop a relationship with. And, it does not matter where the breeder is in the U.S. The bird can be shipped safely.

It is just like dogs and other animals, their is a difference between good breeders and others. A good breeder knows his birds, will give you good advice, and will sell you an animal that is a good, healthy representation of the species. My experience is that good breeders are not in it primarily for money.

If you buy a larger Parrot, you could live with it for decades. So price should not be the first consideration. First, select the right species to fit you and your lifestyle. Second, find a good breeder and work with him/her to get the right individual bird.

[habs71]

Omar's is certainly a great place to check out!

I agree with Monica..Omar's Exotic Birds is a great place.

We go to the one in Placentia quite often, and occassionally to the one in Lake Forest.

Here's a link to his site;

Omarsexoticbirds.com: Avian, parrots, birds, parrot boarding, parrot cages, parrot food, parrot toys, parrot medications, parrot advocates, psitticine, macaws, amazon parrots, meyers, senegal, cockatoos


Skip

[birdlady49]

Omar's name comes up all the time as a place for good birds. I even heard his name a good 10-15 years ago!

[Nazir's]

Habs, I visited the site that you suggested. Although several of the pages wouldn't pull up for me, from what I read and was able to observe they sounds really decent. They have some great pet programs as well. I truly admire that because I personally feel that if anyone is going to breed, it too is their full responsibility to support and give back to what they may have “possibly” contributed to. Whether that be good or bad and we all know that there are tons of rescues, abused, and abandon birdies out there. Therefore, it should be very important to a breeder that they contribute to educating, in hopes of preventing these matters within their communities and throughout.

However, it would concern me that they (the birds) are left out. Customers and prospective customers are encouraged to pet and interact with them, one after another. This can be a good and bad thing but just as someone mentioned previously regarding the breeder that may prefer to place their baby birds into pet shops to be reared and sold-- out of fear of and in hopes of preventing any unknown/unsafe diseases and people from entering into their environment s--that too would still be a concern of mines. Even within this case.

Coming from a reputable breeder, most would prefer to take their own chance with their own babies and prospective customers. Often times it’s the breeder that quickly produces the supply to demand who would prefer to move birds out quickly. I too offer health guarantees and would willingly give someone their money back due to fault of my own but one wouldn't ever want to go there, ya know. Therefore, you try to do your best from the very start. Personally, I’d like to meet and know who my babies are ending up with. Because they are my responsibility and were selectively bred, I’d prefer being the one doing the selective screening and selective placing. After all, I'd plan to be around and available to the new customer for as long as they should need me.
Those rules, I wouldn't apply to the smaller specialty bird stores that do their own breeding. Because for the most part, they don’t lose any control over the placement of their birds.

That's JMO