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RESEARCH. Go to the
library and read-up on the types of birds and their requirements. Make sure that you can adequately care for the breed you select before purchasing a bird. Research on the internet. |
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Buy from a Bird Breeder.
Purchase birds directly
from a breeder. Birds for sale in Pet stores have often
been shipped long distances, are tossed into large cages with birds from
other locations, and are therefore placed under considerable stress. This
stress makes them highly susceptible to disease. Since these birds are exposed to
large numbers of other birds, the possibility of exposure to
disease is high. Moreover, breeders who sell wholesale to pet stores
are not likely to pay particular attention to the quality of the birds they
breed, which can result in inbreeding, poor quality offspring, and chicks
that are unhealthy. You can find breeders by searching the internet and by
joining a list group that specializes in the breed of bird that
interests you. (See Links) |
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Buy the best birds you can afford. Its
much better to buy just one or two birds that are of great quality than to
buy a bunch of birds of undetermined quality. Believe me, you will be
investing your heart and soul into your birds and you never know where your
hobby will take you. Should you decide that you would like to exhibit
your breed in the future, it will be much more feasible to do so if you
started out with quality stock. The best way to ensure you are
purchasing quality stock is to locate a breeder who currently shows their
birds. Be sure to inform the breeder that you are looking for top
quality stock and that you may be showing birds in the future.
Most reputable breeders have birds available that are of pet and
show quality. |
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Don't rush Start with a few
birds and work with them. Don't go crazy and buy so many birds that
you can't manage. Try out the breed first--see if the breed is right
for you before you go and get in over your head. If you do find
that the breed you have chosen isn't right for you, for whatever reason, you
will be stuck with a lot of birds. Moreover, overcrowding can cause
disease among your birds.
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Join a list group. You can learn more
than many avian vets know about budgies in a relatively short period of time by
participating in a list group. These groups are managed by experts and
they, and other members, are happy to answer any questions you
have about your birds. You will also be inspired by the enthusiasm and
love with which the members describe their birds. Its a wonderful
feeling to tap into a group that shares your love of birds. Never fear, people
who understand you are just a mouse click away. (See links for my
favorite groups). Be sure to introduce yourself to the group and don't
worry about asking "dumb", first timer questions. The members will
answer you with kindness and understanding, for they were once "green"
themselves.
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Seek a Mentor. Many times, the breeder you
purchase your birds from will serve as your mentor and assist you in how to
care for your birds. Having someone you can call with questions is
worth his/her weight in gold. Thank you, Kitty Newman of The Birds of
Chilly Hollow (see Links), for always being there for us! Your list group will also serve as your
mentor, which is wonderfully reassuring.
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Stick with one (or two, if you must) varieties
or breeds. Purchase one variety of bird and learn as much as
you can about it before launching into another breed. Sometimes our
enthusiasm can get the best of us. Its easier to stick with one breed
of bird (i.e English Budgerigars) than it is to
get involved in others. Moreover, few types of birds can be housed
together successfully. For example, budgies and canaries cannot be kept together.
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Don't plan on selling birds as a money making
enterprise. Even the top breeders usually only make enough money
from sales to pay for their seed.
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Pay Attention to the nutritional needs of your birds.
Its much easier to keep a bird healthy than it is to nurse it back to
health. Provide your birds with the appropriate
vegetables/fruits/minerals and quality seeds. I recommend buying your
seed from a reputable bird supplier, such as Beaver Creek Aviary
(online--see links). Don't buy your seed at the grocery store.
You'll never know how long it has been sitting there.
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Make sure your can identify a healthy bird.
Know what a healthy bird should look like before you go bird shopping.
This can save untold heartache. Conversely, once you bring your bird
home, know the symptoms of a sick bird so you can spring into action before
it is too late.
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Quarantine new birds for at least 30 days. I
know this can be tough to follow, but you cannot simply purchase a new bird
and toss it in with your other birds at home. You must keep the bird
in a separate area of the house and observe it carefully for 30 days to make
sure it does not have any communicable ailments that it could spread to the
rest of your beloved pets.
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Make your own aviary/cages and save big bucks.
Store bought cages are outrageously expensive. you can put together your cages very easily if you are even
a tiny bit crafty. All you need is some pliers, some J clips, a J clip
clamper, a wire and you are in business. These items are available
online. (see links)
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