okay, so I went into this shop today that has a huge avairy out back, I wont give out the name to protect them from my inexperienced opinion, but quite frankly, this is the 4th shop I've been into where all the birds are manky, sickly looking birds. Not just the budgies, but finches too.

 

So I guess, I feel I've been spoiled in that I bought all 5 of my birds from the same breeder at a market (R.I.P. Ghost), and they are all very healthy looking birds, but why are the shop birds always in this condition? I noticed also that about 99% of the budgies in this shop were 150-200% bigger than my budgies! (which I must say, doesn't quite look natural, especially those english show budgies...). So, is it just me, or do most shop birds tend to be old sickly looking birds, or is it just because they're in a shop with lots of other birds? I'm looking for a white series recessive pied, and "my" breeder only has yellow at present. I think this shops 4 pieds were the only reasonable looking birds, but they were still larger than the ones I am used to.

 

Someone poke me with a stick and tell me I don't know what I'm talking about please.

It just depends, I don't have any experience with private budgie sellers here but I do with rabbits and backyard breeders can be if not worse then the pet shops around in my area, it is just doing the research and finding once that mets your expection. Is there a difference between smaller pet shops vs larger chains in my area no in fact I have seen the larger pet shop have healthier budgies and better conditions then some of the smaller shops in my area. I think you just have to keep looking and look at some private breeders too every area is different but continue to do your searching you may even want to check out rescues organizations in your area if you are not looking for babies you can find a wonderful unwanted budgie out there too that needs a good home.

You have a Budgerigar Society in Caboolture http://www.bird4life.com/cbs/

 

Why don't you contact them and talk to a few of their members about budgies. They meet out at the showgrounds second Tuesday of every month at 7.30 pm.

Thanks Elly. It is interesting based on my experience, which is probably not what most people experience. The shop I refer to does have a 16 day health policy on all its birds, but I hear the recommended is 30 days, so I'm not exactly sure what to make of that, except to say it's good they have something. My partner got two of her finches from there (she tells me now!) and they are fine.

 

Derek, thanks for that! I will have to go along and see what goes on...

Here is a place by us they are a pet shop and they have a wonderful selection plus a great clean place for all their birds, read over what their guarantee is I really like it parrotville.com, I have never bought from them but I did enjoy their shop, now I have been to smaller end shops like this one that are terrible too and breeders for other types of animals that are complete backyard and would never recommend them, in the FAQ we do have a great checklist on how to Evaulate a Breeder & Pet Shop you may want to review.