IMPORTANT HEALTH & SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
     ABOUT BIRD EXPO'S & LIVE BIRD RAFFLES

By Eric Ilasenko - http://ericphotos.com/ Tropical Parrot Screen Savers

The following is based on personal experience, and intended to give basic info to novice bird expo/swap attendee's.

When you go to a bird show or fair, of any kind - you MUST disinfect yourself and your clothing as SOON AS YOU GET HOME. When you win ( or buy ) any new bird, YOU MUST QUARANTINE IT FROM YOUR CURRENT BIRDS, and GET AN AVIAN EXAM FROM A QUALIFIED AVIAN VET, ASAP!

There is a sign that hangs on many of the better quality bird vendors at these fairs that reads, “Loving hands of affection can pass infection - Please Do Not Touch Birds”. These are words to live by, and critical in protecting your current birds in the household. Most of the vendors and exhibitors at shows have healthy birds, but you can’t see many of the deadly viral and bacterial infections that can be in the air at a show, no matter how good the birds look. Plus, I have been to bird “swaps” or “auctions” that had MANY birds that appeared sick and in poor health. You never know !

You could pet that adorable cockatoo that begs you for loving at the show, or win that cute little cockatiel, and later pass on a deadly disease to your entire flock at home. You can’t imagine the heartbreak that watching every bird you own wither and die a painful death, or having to put them all down would bring. DON’T TAKE CHANCES!

When you are looking at birds in general raffles, or in the Grand Raffle, do a good basic bird health check visually. Check that the bird appears to be in good health. An alert bird with clear eyes and nostrils, good feather condition, a clean vent area, and with proper color and consistency of its droppings are the bare basics to check.

Also, ask club members for details about who and where the bird came from, why it’s being raffled ( does it bite ? Is it a nasty bird ) and if it’s a pet or breeder bird. A breeder bird is not going to make a good pet. So if you’re looking for a sweet and devoted pet, stick with young birds that have been conditioned to accept handling from humans.

A lot of great baby cockatiels, lovebirds, and parakeets are offered in general raffles, so be sure you ask about the birds. Finches are other birds that regularly appear in raffles, and while not “cuddly” pet birds, many people truly enjoy their personalities and antics.

WHEN YOU WIN A BIRD, GET AN AVIAN HEALTH CHECK FROM A QUALIFIED VET, AND ALWAYS FOLLOW THE SAFE BIRD RULES ABOUT QUARANTINE FOR AT LEAST 30 DAYS. If you’ve just won a thousand dollar parrot for $ 10.00, you can certainly afford to spend less than a hundred dollars for a complete health check by a vet. DON’T TAKE CHANCES !

Also, remember that “Bird Fever” can strike you, and you may suddenly want to simply win any kind of bird, even if it’s not one you really wanted. Bird raffles can be VERY addicting, really. I wonder how long before Gamblers Anonymous comes up with a 12 step program for bird raffles !

Just be careful with yourself, be realistic, and don’t give in to that urge to drop huge amounts of money you can’t afford on buying a ton of tickets. I’ve seen people spend HUNDREDS of dollars to win an expensive bird - in fact one lady had such a large stack of tickets for one grand raffle that she had to hold them with two hands. I spent only $ 10.00 at that raffle for 12 tickets, and went home that night with my ultimate dream bird - a sweet, hand fed baby Blue and Gold Macaw !

 

The above provided courtesy of Eric Ilasenko Photography. (c) 1996, Rights for reproduction granted freely to bird club newsletters, as long as reprint includes the following credit please....
(c)'96 Eric Ilasenko Photography - Tropical Parrot Screen Savers
Email - birdpix@infofree.com Web - http://ericphotos.com/

 

Articles are Copyright Up At Six and cannot be reprinted without the written permission of Up At Six and the author.

Last Revised: Thu Aug 7 08:25:56 2008 ( Damian )
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