What to Look for When Purchasing a Baby Bird

Here we can see, “What to Look for When Purchasing a Baby Bird”

Most people who decide to add a pet bird to their home have their eyes set on a young baby. While newborn birds are particularly appealing, potential buyers should know how to discern healthy infants from those who may have health issues.

While many avian diseases and disorders are undetectable to the human eye, buyers must bear a few critical considerations in mind when selecting a juvenile bird with the lowest risk of illness or disease.

Appearance-Based Judging

Look at all of the baby birds available when you visit a breeder or pet store. While they are all likely to be very charming, it is critical to thoroughly inspect each one before purchasing, keeping the following considerations in mind:

• Select a bird that is awake and active. Birds that appear slow or feeble may be suffering from a severe illness. While it may seem appealing to “save” an ill bird by bringing it home, these circumstances frequently result in grief and significant financial loss if the bird is sick. Only buy a lively and animated baby if you want to be successful.
• Look for clean feathers and bright, sparkling eyes. A healthy newborn bird’s eyes will be brilliant and glittering, wide open and clear of discharge. Runny, squinty, or discolored eyes could indicate an infection. Examine the bird’s plumage for brightness and cleanliness. Feathers that are dull, filthy, or worn can indicate inappropriate preening activities.

• Look for evidence of infection in the bird’s nares and cere. A runny, crusty, or inflamed cere is a common indication of respiratory issues in birds. Avoid birds with clogged nares or any discharge coming from the nasal area.
• Only purchase a fully feathered, weaned bird. While hatchlings can be almost seductive to bird lovers, it is strongly advised that those without prior hand-feeding experience acquire only completely weaned youngsters. While hand-feeding may appear to be a simple task, it is time-consuming and can be easily mishandled by unskilled owners. Baby birds sold too soon are frequently subjected to improper feedings, resulting in irreparable injury or even death. Choose a baby who is old enough to eat independently to save yourself the effort. It will have no effect on your bond with the bird.
• Purchase a ravenous bird. If you have the opportunity to observe the birds you’re interested in at feeding time, do so to see which ones are the most voracious eaters. Choose a bird with a voracious appetite. This is a sign of robust overall health and happiness.
• Choose a gregarious child. If you have the opportunity, engage with the available baby birds. A well-adjusted baby will not be afraid of human touch, so touching and softly petting the bird should be no problem. Place the bird on various perches and provide it with various toys. An interested and inquisitive bird should create a joyful and emotionally healthy companion rather than one that is afraid.

Examine the living conditions of the bird. Is the bird’s cage clean and clear of faeces or other germ breeding grounds? Birds housed in sanitary enclosures are significantly less likely to become ill or infected. Ensure you acquire a bird from a breeder who adheres to the strictest sanitation and hygiene requirements.

Having a Conversation with the Breeder

Breeders can sometimes provide the most valuable information about the health of a clutch of newborn birds. When chatting with a breeder or a pet store staff, keep the following questions in mind to guarantee that you end up with a healthy baby:

• What year did these birds hatch? Please inquire about the hatch date of the bird you’re interested in to ensure that you acquire an old chick to leave its aviary. Also, avoid purchasing birds who have been force-fed or cannot feed themselves.
• Do you have an open aviary or a closed one? Because all birds in the aviary are essentially sequestered from outsiders, birds bred in a closed aviary have a considerably lower disease risk. In addition, because many avian diseases are airborne and transmit quickly, buying from a closed aviary eliminates the risk of coming into touch with shady animals.
• Is it true that these newborns have been sexed? While most avian lovers will tell you that any gender makes a beautiful pet, some buyers like to know the gender of the bird they are purchasing, especially if they already own another bird of the same or similar species.
• Have the newborns been disease-tested? Because most diagnostic labs offer combination testing, if the birds you’re looking at have been sexed, they’ve certainly been disease tested. Inquire about the papers or certificate from the lab that processed the results if the breeder had them tested.
• Are the bird’s mother and father present, and if so, may I view them? Of course, it’s always good to observe your bird’s mother and father if you can because healthy parents produce healthy babies. However, it’s important to remember that many breeding birds aren’t treated as pets and won’t be tamed. So instead, consider the birds overall look, activity, and appetites before deciding.

• Have these birds been handfed or reared by their parents? While many in the aviculture industry swear by hand-feeding to produce tame birds, others point out that parent-reared babies are usually good as pets if their breeders adequately trained them. Of course, this is entirely a question of personal preference, but it’s helpful to know when planning your new pet’s training regimen.
• What kind of diet have the birds been on, and what would you recommend? Switching a baby bird’s diet “cold turkey” can be dangerous, if not death. Some birds are highly finicky eaters, preferring to starve to death rather than attempt a new or different food. Before you bring your new pet home, make sure you have a supply of whatever the bird has been consuming. Once your bird is settled in your home, you may always move them to a new food.

You can considerably lower your chances of taking home a pet with a significant sickness or illness by following these suggestions for selecting a healthy young bird. Purchasing a healthy baby bird is the first and most crucial step toward a long and happy connection with your new pet. Make sure you get the most out of your baby bird by picking one carefully because there’s no such thing as being “too picky” when it comes to your pet’s health.

User Questions

What is the best way to pick up a little bird?

Hold the bird’s neck between your index and middle fingers, then secure the wings with your thumb and ring finger. Your little finger can serve as a perch for the bird’s feet, or you can hold the bird from underneath with your other hand.

What kind of bird should I get?

Budgies (also known as parakeets) are among the most popular pet birds globally, and with good reason. If properly tamed and cared for, these birds can be extremely loving and affectionate.

What are the requirements for having a pet bird?

• Cages & stands.
• Cage bedding & liners.
• Perches & swings.
• Toys.
• Cleaning & odor control.

Is it true that birds enjoy being hugged?

In their way, they may be highly affectionate. But unfortunately, while many juvenile birds learn to enjoy cuddling, this can be harmful to their health as they get older, particularly in female birds.

Is it possible to sleep with birds?

Our birds enjoy sleeping with us as much as we enjoy sleeping with them. A bird that desired to sleep in the solitude of its cage would either find its way there or be extremely loud until it was taken there.

Conclusion

I hope you found this helpful guide. If you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to use the form below.