Buying Cocketiels

[GoldenPhoenix]

We plan on getting our bird from a breeder or avariy, when choosing a bird, what should we look for, what is healthy and what is not healthy? And does the personality of the bird have a HUGE impact on choice? What are the signs of a potntially serious condition later in life? With my parents income we can't afford BIG vet bills, just check ups and clipping

[phonelady61]

well i think maybe you should not get a bird then cause there are times when big vet bills will come up especially if the bird has an accident and a wing needs to be taken care of or the bird starts bleeding or something . let me tell you avian vets are not cheap and they do cost money any type of animal costs money . a bird has to have blood work done and such it is just not a matter of check ups and clipping . I think maybe you need to read some books on cockatiels before buying one . NOt trying to be rude just trying to let you know what you are encountering with a bird . and there is no way to look for a potentially serious condition later in life that is just something that happens and you cannot foretell the future . good luck and i hope you will take what i said into consideration . good luck .

[GoldenPhoenix]

i have done alot of research, i mean ALOT for a couple of years now, not everyday just whenever i have query. Im just saying i don't want to buy a sick Tiel and not know it. If one thing i know, is that birds hide illness. it might depend on the breeder to know when his/her birds are sick. I know i want to steer away from pet stores too, last time i went to the one in the mall there were 3 sunday conures in at 12"X12"X12" cage, and petco is better with thier parrotlets and conures, but 5 or 6 Tiels are kept in cages ment for 1 or 2 and like 10-20 budgies in a Tiel sized cage, petsmart also keeps thier birds in tiny cages. I asked my mom and she said we will not forget the vet with A bird, She decided to forgo vet assistance with our dog. Im only 15 all i have control over is what we should get for the bird and training and somwhat in the choice of bird. It's tiel or let my mom buy a conure we can't support

[GoldenPhoenix]

Im also learning all i can to prevent accidents, and still have a fruitful life with my bird