upatsix.com - Your Source For Pet Bird Information

I was just reading from somewhere that powder coated cages are not the best for larger birds, some of them can get through the coating. Is this true for caiques? I was expecting this was the kind I would get.

I'm in the process now of trying to find an American breeder to ship to Canada. I hope this goes well, the prices and quality are excellent.

Thanks to everyone. This forum has been such a resource. I'm sure I'll have even more questions!

The only thing better than a good quality powder-coated cage is stainless steel. They cost a lot more, but will last a lifetime if you buy good quality. An active bird CAN damage a powder-coated finish, but we probably do more harm with our scrubbing -- or lack of it. Leaving poop to harden is a bad idea, for a variety of reasons. When scrubbing in the seams of skirts, better to use a steamer to get into that tight space, or take it apart. Many of us have used metal instruments similar to skinny ice picks, and have chipped paint in our efforts. Learn from us and find a better way!

Polyoma vaccine is highly recommended because caiques seem to be more suseptible to it. Plus, this is one of the deadly diseases there is a vaccine for.

The first breeder, if she is a good one, would spend the extra money and might charge you more, or ask her if she can get it vaccinated and you pay extra. The second breeder cares about her birds, you can tell, but what about your baby? Who knows how birds would pick up polyoma, but if you go to a bird store to buy toys, come home and it turns out a bird there was infected, its possible you could give it to your birdie if not vaccinated.

Anytime you are handling other birds not your own, its possible to give your bird something, especially at a bird store or mart. I know pampered peeps aviary does this, and I do it, i where a old pair of sandals to a store, only go to one at a time, take my shoes off before I get in the house and bleach them, jump right in the shower and put my clothes right in the laundry. This was recommeded to me by a friend I know who does seminars for PEAC. This is why its soooo much easier to get a bird from a reputable breeder, no worry on diseases. Just my 2 cents.

Make sure your get your baby vaccinated! I did a ton of research on this when we first got Sparky and we decided to go so far as to get annual booster shoots for our adult Caiques too. From what I have read, polyoma is resident in wild bird populations so you can pick it up anywhere and bring it home to your birds. Normally only baby birds are affected by it, but Caiques and Ecclectus seem to be susceptible to it for their whole lives. They are more likely than other species to get it and it is more often fatal. So you want to make sure they get vaccinated. If I remember, the vaccine runs about $30 per shot and the initial vaccination is two shots spaced a couple weeks apart.

A good quality powder coated cage is just as durable as any stainless steel cage, especially for a caique beak! I would try to stay at least, with a 34 wide if you can.

Don't take any bird who has not had the vaccine. Yes, it IS pricey, but if you have a breeder who gives it as part of their business and supports their reputation, they won't hesitate. Don't let anyone tell you they 'don't need it' either. Anything we can do to help offset even the remotest possibility of disease, is worth it!

Andrea

beakerskyler wrote:Anything we can do to help offset even the remotest possibility of disease, is worth it!

Andrea

I agree Andrea, no matter how expensive, its heartbreaking to lose a pet to something you could have prevented.

A couple of weeks of more research under my belt now and it seems getting a caique in Canada is a much different situation that the states.

It turns out I won't be able to get one from the US, which was my hope. And every breeder I have talked to in Canada is selling white bellies for 1700 or 1800 (while the BHs are still 700) and I have found no one who vaccinates.

This really upsets me. I feel like I can go get him vaccinated when he gets here, but what will that do if he already has it when he's shipped? Or shipped alongside a sick bird?

There are 2 breeders I am waiting on sexing from. One has a completely closed aviary and had her parent birds vaccinated for polyoma, and the other says she is sure her birds don't have it (but at the same time she takes other parrots in her home to bird shows and things like that) so I feel this is a very empty sentiment.

I just don't know how to feel. I either get an unvaccinated WB caique or I don't get one at all. What a heartbreak.

Also, I was wondering if all the pre-caique stress I've been feeling is normal! Other than the vaccine situation, I have a mix of excitement and nervousness about getting a new bird. I guess I'm hoping this is normal! It's like having a new child, for us.

Don't worry, Nikki, I was a nervous wreck when i was deciding on a bird. I broke down cause I couldn't decide. I met a caique, fell in love, and have had no doubts. You know, lories are high energy, perhaps more, than caiques, you might like them, too. Maybe look into them. The stress and worry is normal, just relax and if you feel getting a wb is too much hassle, get a bh, same personalities, just different color. I'm sure you can find a vet that vaccinates, try going to bird clubs, or bird marts and ask around for a vet:) If you really want a wb, I'm sure you will make it happen:)

Any breeder who brings other birds into her facility should not be telling potential buyers that her birds 'don't have it'. It's unlikely she would even know until it's too late. Yes, that IS an empty sentiment and is she's dumb enough to even admit that to you, be thankful for that! If you have at least one breeder with a closed aviary who vaccinates her adult birds, I would definitely eliminate the other one.
Andrea

Yeah, that's the direction I'm taking. I really appreciate everyone's help. I just contacted one other breeder today.

I was waiting to see if between the 3 babies that these 2 breeders have that hopefully one ends up being a male, but if they don't, or if the questionable breeder even does have a male, I think I'll wait on getting a male from someone else.

Has anyone ever had trouble with their birds' leg bands? With caiques playing so hard and getting them caught or getting hurt?

Hey Niki

Cisco has not had any problems with his band and he play like a fiend !!!!! As a young boy bird he is hyper and full of vigor (and himself)!!! How is your quest going - really wish we could help you with selecting a breeder Best of luck and keep us up dated

Freddy

Nikki wrote:A couple of weeks of more research under my belt now and it seems getting a caique in Canada is a much different situation that the states.

It turns out I won't be able to get one from the US, which was my hope. And every breeder I have talked to in Canada is selling white bellies for 1700 or 1800 (while the BHs are still 700) and I have found no one who vaccinates.

you might try talking with Dave and Tammy at DJ Feathers, they have sent birds to folks in canada and seem to know the ins and outs of the process and they have wonderful caiques.

Hi Sandy! Yeah, I contacted DJ Feathers a few weeks ago. They have to ship to Canadian border towns for the bird to be granted an in home quarantine. It would be fantastic, but I live nowhere near the border. Infact, I'm probably in the worst possible spot!

I've been hoping things would work out with the second breeder. It turns out she does have a male. I am a little apprehensive still, though. She doesn't seem to answer all my questions, and I only hear from her in bursts. (The lady with the potentially unsafe aviary called me all the time)

Also, and maybe it's just me, but it strikes me odd. She told me this baby is 8 weeks old, and that he doesn't have any black feathers on his head. I thought it took a year or more to lose those, and now I'm a little concerned she may be trying to sell me an older bird. I don't know, but I might not buy from her.

There are a few other really dependable breeders, they just don't seem to have babies now. I might be forced to wait a little while longer! But talking to people on here and seeing everyones photos and stories makes the wait a little easier!

Hi Nikki,
Not all wb's have black feathers on their heads. From my understanding, the purer lines have more black feathers than if the birds are bred within subspecies and such. Would it be possible for you to make a trip to the boarder to pick up your baby because Tammy is really nice, gets back to you quickly too. I contacted her a couple months ago about a male wb and for a little extra, she will vaccinate, dna him for you. Plus if you want her to she will flight suit train them too. Maybe you could find a pet friendly hotel, stay there, have a travel cage, then bring birdie back the next day.

One more thing, just wondering, why do you want a male? Just personal preference?