To adpot her ot not . . .

[extremefire]

I haven't posted recently, but we got a B&G, Kalisto, back in Mayish and have been completely in love with him. We had discussed getting another bird in the future but figured it would be a couple of years before we seriously looked. Well last week we were in our local store and the manager asked if we were interested in another macaw. The owners are having to move and are not able to take the bird with them. We thought we would at least meet the bird and its owners before we decided and finally met today at the pet store.

Her name is Medina, she is a B&G and she turned two in April.

First impression, is her feathers are really rough. Her head and chest look fine, but her wings and tail look like they have been through a blender. Her beak doesn't look as good as Kalisto's either. Her tempermant seemed really nice though, she lives in a house with five kids and a dog. She readily stepped up to our hands and wasn't at all nippy, and let us scratch her about everywhere. And then she pooped. And if you didn't know she did, you would of just thought that someone spilt water on the floor. It literally pretty much completely clear. She had gone a couple of times over carpeting, and by chance she did go on the tile floor once as well and it did look like water. One last tid bit, her mother nipped off the tip of her outer toes on either feet when she was a chick, but she seemed climb around alright though.

Also of concern to me is her diet, including items such as french fries and fried chicken. We might be too anal about what we feed Kalisto, but we haven't ever considered feeding him that.

So I know that as long as she isn't damaging her feathers herself, that if something else caused the damage that eventually she should look right again. Its the watery stool and diet that has me more concerned. Since we had to go back to work, the wife and I haven't really had a chance to talk about it, but I would have to insist have it vet checked before I hand over any serious money on the bird. That is a 3 hour round trip excursion so its not something we want to do unless we are truly serious about her.

Just mainly looking for opinions as to what you think about the situation. She does come with a Silverado cage, and what toys they presently have for it. I also don't know what a fair amount for her would be either.

Thanks.

[Newticus]

watery poo isn't always a concern. She may have had a drink and little to eat before you met her which would cause her poos to be watery. I have a quaker who usually has runnier then normal poo and he was checked by the vet and given a clean bill of health. I know it's too late now, but a look in the bottom of the cage would have been a better indication of healthy poo.
poor diet can effect things like the beak and feathers too.
Whether or not the sellers vet check the bird first she will need to go into quarenteen before introducing her to your current macaw.
It is a hard decision, and one that unfortuantely only you can make. Does you schedule allow enough time for another macaw? Is your relationship with your current macaw stable enough to add another demanding bird? Have you thought about what happens if your two macaws don't get alone,,, at all?
As for a fair adoption fee, I don't have any suggestions cause I really don't know. Have you asked the sellers what they are expecting? On kajiji (in Canada) BnG macaws may be rehomed for $1000+, but as you will be doing these people a favour don't be afraid to make an offer that you can afford. The worst they can say is no.

good luck
Melanie

[magdalena]

My take on 'fair' adoption fees is half of what the bird can be bought for as a baby and 100-200$ more if the cage (if it's suitable for the bird) and toys are included. If I can buy an unweaned baby (generally half the cost of a weaned one) for less than what an adoptable bird costs I won't take it, mainly because everyone has a good story of why they need their bird to go but I don't trust they won't take their new empty house and 1-2k and buy a new bird. If they can't eat some of their 'investment' (unless there are special circumstances like they are dying of hunger and broke to death) they aren't people I will adopt from, no matter how much I want the bird.

If the bird has behavioral or health issues, the price should go down accordingly. People need to be fair with their prices because that shows they are looking out for the bird's interest not their own. I get so tired of seeing 1400$ for african greys with their small cages because 'we want the bird to go to a good home where people know how expensive these birds are to keep'. Yes they are so wouldn't you want to let the adopter put some of that money toward vets and toys and food and playstands?