Bird Expo prices?

[Cece4]

Ive never been to a bird expo and there is one coming up in a couple months.But it is a 4hr drive..How are the prices at these are they more expensive then petstore(if that is even possible).
What about the birds, so do they have reputable breeders there with reasonable prices.
For instance, I paid twice the price for my greencheek that a breeder sells them for because I bought at a petstore(Im a sucker for a cute face).
But do the expo's sell at breeder prices or petstore prices?

Whats your experience?

[tvymola]

In my experience the birds are less expensive at the bird shows. Additionally, at the bird show the price is usually negotiable since the breeder is usually the person selling the birds. You do need to get some sort of health guarantee if buying from a bird show, since you are not likely to see the seller again.

[Lori~D]

The prices are always better but you dont get to see the Aviary they came from and ALL KINDS sell at bird fairs and expos. Allot of breeders will have very young babies too young to go home. I suggest you go to one...visit ALL the breeders with babies of your liking. Study the way they set up there display (did they spend some money?) Are the cages clean? They will be in much smaller containers for the show but do the feathers look like they spend EVERY day in the tiny cages? Do the babies have stress bars? Are they constantly crying for food? When you find breeders with what you might want spend time talking and asking questions and mention what you are looking for and that you are ready to purchase but want the right bird. Ask if you can visit the babies at the Aviary. If they say no - walk away. The very best breeders prices are higher but still way lower than a pet store and will welcome you to choose from home as well. If they say they have a "closed aviary" the are full of BS as they just brought all the babies to a contaminated environment at the expo. Then they may say that these babies have to be Quarentined when they get back - OK- then they can be visited in QT right? I wouldnt suggest getting a bird from an unknown source unless your expirienced in this and have good QT practices and a good Avian vet and dollars in your wallet to cover what can come up. Remember - there are great breeders AND Bird mill people at Fairs and expos and the bad ones can disguise it well and some dont even try,lol.

[amanda143]

I agree with Lori. However, I know a lot of good breeders with closed aviaries that do not bring birds to fairs, or have their babies quarantined from the rest of their birds that will allow you to visit the babies only. Personally, I don't let people handle my birds nor do I take them to fairs. You can usually tell a great deal about a breeder if they answers all your questions openly and honestly. As Lori said, you need to inspect the birds very well, and know what to look for. If you know you are coming home with a baby, set up an appointment with your vet right away. The same day if possible.
Also, to be on the safe side, take a shower when you get home and wash your clothes right away before coming near or touching your other birds. I know it sounds drastic but it's better to be safe than sorry.

[Cece4]

Thanks for the advice.I am looking for a Sun or bluecrowned conure.I will be choosy..It couldnt be any more risky then buying from a mom and pop petstore thats for sure.At least I get to talk to the actual breeder(hopefully)...This expo is run by the Beaks and Wings rescue so I would hope they screen the people that buy tables.
I may just end up buying lots of toys instead if I cant find what Im looking for.
I cant seem to find "ANY" breeders here at all thats why I am resorting to the expo..

[amanda143]

I don't know about that rescue but I know the expo's here don't screen. They can't. lol Good luck on your find, have a great time! The fairs and expo's are fun.

[angelicarboreals]

I like going to the fairs/expos, simply because I can usually find toys and toy parts that are not for sale locally for alot cheaper than if I bought them online. I usually take about $300 or so with me every six months (there are two fairs that come a month apart in the spring and again in the fall) and buy my guys toys and perches. This coming fair I plan on getting my senegal a new cage, I absolutely hate the one he is in, it is such a pain to clean.

With that being said, as soon as I come home my clothes get put right in the washing machine, the bottom of my shoes are disinfected with bleach and water, and I get in the shower before I ever go near my flock. It may sound stupid, but a fair/ expo is going to be a whole lot less well policed as far as quarantine goes.

Many of the breeders present come from states adjacent to ours, and you can never tell how many other fairs/expos the bird have been exposed to before coming to your fair. (Many breeder frequent several shows in a month, so the bird you may be buying might have been around other birds last week at another fair in a different town/state and didn't sell.) I don't want to scare anybody from not going, but just be cautious- more cautious I would say, than even going to your local bird store.

[Lori~D]

I dont know of ANY fairs that screen - even the club ones I've been to. Yes, they have rules and if your really bad you might not be allowed back but even then Ive seen the rules and seen the results and its quite slack sometimes. I alos KNOW people in some of the fairs and have seen there places and then their booth is quite impressive but I wouldnt feed my children in there home,lol.

At least if you go you will be locating breeders! Ask, Many breeders may raise what your looking for but not have any yet or they could be just hatched

[mundyzoo]

CeCe I am also going to that fair! Have you checked our rescue page to see the fids that need homes?

[Cece4]

They wont let me rescue.At least I tried to email them about it before but they never got back to me.I think its because Im out of the 100 mile home check range they have.I was rather upset and put off at first(I always take things too personally) but it all worked out for the best.
I found local fids that needed my help 2 rehomes(a tiel and greencheek) and two rescue tiels(awful conditions).But I really really would love to have a sun conure or a blue crown, so I am looking.
Maybe I'll see you at the expo..