Since i was going to stop in at work and the pet shop is 5 mins down the road, i decided to pop in. These days most everybody has chicks fledging, so there are a lot of budgies coming in and i love keeping an eye out for that special violet or other bird.

 

I went in today and saw three (sky blue spangle x2, sky blue spangle opaline x1) just fledged chicks being brought in by a 'breeder'. I pretended to be viewing some of the larger parrots while i listened in to the 'breeder' talk with the pet store bird person who was worming the young chicks before placing them in stock cages. The 'breeder' was saying "The parents just stopped feeding them one day, then the youngest chick died and then the parents died. I wonder what it was. Maybe it was the change in food or something with the water. Its so strange that the parents did that, but these chicks are hardy so they survived just fine. These birds are generally very tough, they breed all through winter for me and it gets cold where i am!! They fight a bit, but dont usually do too much harm. Such wonderful birds!!"

 

I was appalled. By the sounds of it she is running a 'hit and miss' colony breeding programme. I was quietly steaming away!!! I wanted to say something but i didnt know what to say without getting mad at her and getting thrown out of the store!!

 

Such a shame

Edited December 12, 200816 yr by Dean_NZ

That really sucks

It seems she really doesnt know much about what she is doing to me and the poor birds are suffering for her ignorance.

 

"They fight a bit, but dont usually do too much harm. Such wonderful birds!!"

 

Anyone who cares and DOES colony breed, doesnt leave them to their own devices to sort themselves out, they remove trouble makers to lessen the risk

I understand people colony breeding (before I came here thats all I figured people did) but you've got to wonder what disease they might be hiding if the parents and the other chicks died. Chances are they have the disease to and if taken and placed into an avairy with other birds there is a chance they'll pass it on...

 

Like Sunnie said if there are problem makers they should be removed. I guess thats the good thing about the site. It helps educate people that think they are doing the right thing but who are infact not.

That is the thing with pet stores most do not quarantine ...

 

So it should make one think "Are they REALLY healthy"? ....

 

*** Another reason why it is sooooo important to Quarantine ..Thank you for sharing your story

May I just add that EVERYONE is a "clueless" breeder when they start out. I certainly was ....

 

Some people decide to learn as much as they can so they buy books, access forums like this one and join budgie clubs.

 

Others just enjoy doing what they do with out feeling the need to do any more.

 

Does that make them bad people, deserving of our scorn and derision?

 

I say NO.

 

Dean, if you feel the need to put someone down because they haven't taken the hobby as seriously as you do, I suggest that you visit every pet shop you can and put up flyers with the BBC forum's address.

 

And then accept that not everybody will be as diligent as you are, AND THAT IS THEIR PREROGATIVE!

 

 

I see where you are coming from renee. I am sure that there are more breeders out there that don't know alot and just enjoy breeding. They are none the wiser. I don't think they can be blamed but I do think that if they come here looking we should nicely, politely, and civily inform them of other ways. But like you say they are under no obligation to change just cos most people here tell them something...

The story indicates to me an illness that hasn't been identified.

May I just add that EVERYONE is a "clueless" breeder when they start out. I certainly was ....

 

Some people decide to learn as much as they can so they buy books, access forums like this one and join budgie clubs.

 

Others just enjoy doing what they do with out feeling the need to do any more.

 

Does that make them bad people, deserving of our scorn and derision?

 

I say NO.

 

Dean, if you feel the need to put someone down because they haven't taken the hobby as seriously as you do, I suggest that you visit every pet shop you can and put up flyers with the BBC forum's address.

 

And then accept that not everybody will be as diligent as you are, AND THAT IS THEIR PREROGATIVE!

 

 

Im not trying to put down breeders who aren't as dedicated or 'serious' as i am. I do not believe that anyone could just sit idly by while their budgies fight or die breeding and say "aren't they just great little birds". Or "the parents randomly died, but here are the chicks, could be diseased, could be anything, cheers! hope they find a great home!".

 

There are basics of animal keeping that when not kept, just get me fired up. And i am well aware of budgie mills, but knowing there is worse out there doesn't mean i should smile and nod at the 'sort of but not quite as bad' situations.

 

P.S I don't have a problem with colony breeding, just with the way the lady spoke about fighting, dying or sick/struggling birds.

I used to colony breed and was lucky enough to have had success with it. But I didnt just shake my head if the birds "fought a little" and think what great little troopers, I was concerned with injury and would remove them from the situation. This was before I learned what I know now - I would just think it would be common sense and a protective measure for the animals you have taken responsibility to care for.

 

I agree with you Dean

Yes I agree with you too Dean. When you own an animal you have the responsibility to the animal to learn about its proper care and welfare.

When I was a kid, before I got a new animal I would always go to the library and get out every single book on that animal and read up on it and not just because I felt I should, but I loved finding out how to care for them and how to spoil them silly and make their environment as fun as possible.

I've read almost every book on small pets possible as well as some dog and cat ones. And for all the pets I do own now, I actually have a book for each one. Even my fish! I even read books on ferrets even though we aren't allowed them here.

So I just find it kind of strange that when people get a pet they don't educate themselves.

Even when I pick up a wild bird or chick, I'm quick on the internet to find out how to care for it.

I'm surprised the pet shop took them after that story, those birds would have to be harboring something nasty

How sad

 

Do breeders that actually care about the birds ever sell to pet shops anyway? Considering the conditions in pet shops and the impulse sales that go on, i would think only those in it for the quick cash would give their birds to a pet shop. Not a fan of pet shops at all myself and stay right away for fear of seeing horrible sights within.

Breeders commonly send their culled stock to pet shops, because it is quick and easy to send them too.

How sad

 

Do breeders that actually care about the birds ever sell to pet shops anyway? Considering the conditions in pet shops and the impulse sales that go on, i would think only those in it for the quick cash would give their birds to a pet shop. Not a fan of pet shops at all myself and stay right away for fear of seeing horrible sights within.

 

Pet shops provide a means of finding homes for surplus birds. Many breeders do not breed birds specifically to make "quick cash" at pet shops. Not all breeders are of such renown that purchasers beat a path to their door waving fistfuls of cash to make it unnecessary to sell to pet shops. Responsible breeders do not sell to pet shops with poor facilities. Responsible breeders also make sure that the birds they sell to a pet shop are fit and healthy. Impulse sales are not necessarily a bad thing but can lead to a wholesome interest for an individual or family.

Many of my pets have been impulse purchases but all are loved

Yea, it is very hard to sell a large number of birds privately.