Gave Kumar back

[Vankarhi]

Well guys I gave Kumar back to the breeder last wednesday. I only had him for 5 days and during that time I took him to a vet here who deals with a lot of birds (same vet I took Skye to when she was sick). He looked at Kumar's beak and said "take this bird back, you have been sold a malformed bird, he is not worth the money you paid for him, his beak has been damaged by handraising blah blah blah. I took Kumar and got in my car and had a little cry. I went home and emailed an avian vet 2 hours south of me. He looked at the pics of Kumar and said the same thing as the previous vet. Neither vet knew who the breeder was because they did not ask so I did not say.

I took Kumar to the avian vet the following morning (4 hour round trip). The breeder asked if he could come along and I said yes that is no problem. It was probably good anyway because he could see what Kumar had to go through.

When the vet saw me with the breeder he was very surprised to see the bird was one of his. He then told me that Kumar's beak was not from a handraising trauma, he believed it was a malfunction of the way his bones in his head/beak were growing.

The breeder offered me (on more than one occassion) to take Kumar back and let me have another baby. My husband rang me and asked how the vet visit went and we decided to give Kumar back to the breeder and I took a 6 week old baby that I am still handraising 2 feeds a day.

I do feel bad about Kumar and not keeping him, but when we bought him we did not know he had a bad beak and we were not prepared for his medical needs for the next 40 years. Plus the first vet said that with all the beak trims he would need it would ruin him as a pet. The second vet said the beak trims could only be done under anesthetic and I watched it and would have to agree I would not be able to do what needed to be done to his beak. I did suggest to the avian vet that I could learn to trim his beak but he said it was not possible for me to do. The breeder said he would keep him, I guess he will try to find a home for him or just keep him in his aviary and get his beak trimed from time to time.

So that is my sad story on Kumar, I really wish I could have kept him, but I am glad I did give him back before we bonded. When I left him he was happy again in his cage with his sister.

I should find out the sex of my new baby later this week and if a boy will be named Rajshi - if a girl will be named Rani. He is beginning to perch today and eating fresh food quite well.

[Friend of the Feathered]

Oh I am so sorry about Kumar. What kind of bird was he? And your new one? BTW CUTE pics of your new faby!

[Vankarhi]

Kumar was a 3 month old dna sexed male alexandrine. My new one is a now 7 week old dna sexed (results not back yet) alexandrine parrot also. Thankyou I think he is lovely and by the way your pics of your birds a very nice too.

[Myst]

Alexandrines are great birds! We have 1 "breeder" pair of birds and they are provem alexandrines, and she is either laying eggs or about to. She does not let anyone near her box, and these two are supposed to be great parents. We look forward to having the babies which if ever happen have already got trusted people wanting one.

Your baby is adorable! You are lucky to have a great breeder. Keep posting pictures please :)

[kp_in_scott]

Tracey, I'm so sorry about Kumar. At least the breeder was understanding and concerned enough about Kumar that he accompanied you to the vets office. Good luck with your new little one.

[cfulhage]

I'm so sorry about Kumar! Poor little baby! I hope everything goes well with this little one. Let us know the sex as soon as you find out the results!

[Eliza]

I'm so sorry to read about Kumar, Tracey!

Keep us posted about your new baby, though -- s/he is just lovely!

-e-

[Vankarhi]

kim I am glad the breeder came with me also because he could see first hand I was not lying. He could not see it until he saw Kumar on the Wednesday at the vet. I think he was genuinely surprised at it. He paid me $50 towards the vet bill (it cost me $127 to get his beak trimmed and a further $77 every 4-8 weeks to get it re-trimmed, plus the petrol and travelling as well). I have to admit that even in the 5 days he was with us I think it had gotten worse - maybe I was just paranoid.

[The Outlaw]

Tracey:

Well, even though its difficult to go through, its better that the bird be with someone who can better meet his needs. That's another reason that I won't breed birds. I don't want to feel responsible for them in the event that they develop the kinds of medical problems that I couldn't afford to treat. You breeder was exceptional. However, considering the situation, he pretty much was between a rock and a hard place.

[LMPego]

I'm sorry about Kumar, Tracey, but glad that it all worked out in the end.