"Today a serious new health risk is threatening the lives of birds across the country. A very real health risk that has the potential for epidemic proportions. It goes by the simple name of 'Bird Marts'. Some people call them bird fairs, bird expos, bird shows and more. These innocuous appearing events are being put on by bird clubs, aviculturists and other people for profit and/or fund raising. What can possibly be so dangerous as a diverse groups of birds of varying ages brought together for one or two days? Everything! Anyone who believes these events are safe are not being truthful, or are simply ignorant of the facts."
Ernie Colaizzi, Phoenix Unlimited
Visit Oldworldaviaries to read the full article.
It's the beginning of baby bird season, and I have been seeing a lot of bird fair advertisements lately. Many people will visit fairs this year, and some will go home with a new feathered friend. I have to admit, I am very excited to attend a few myself. And who wouldn't be excited? Bird fairs are one of the few places where one can see all the various species. Fairs are filled with colorful, fluffy babies - and we all love babies :) However, after reading Mr. Colaizzi's article - and many more like it - I've decided the risks of buying/selling babies at bird fairs are rather great. Bird fairs, and pet stores for that matter, can be filled with avian viruses and disease. These diseases are spread easily from bird to bird, by breathing the air and feather dust. Customers go to one table, handle the babies, then visit the next and do the same. Many viruses can live on your clothing, lying in wait - until you go home to cuddle your own birds.
I wouldn't say that all birds at fairs are diseased. I have met fellow breeders who attend fairs regularly. They are exceptional breeders - professional, caring and genuinely nice people. I imagine many breeders keep a clean aviary, disinfect the display tables, and require customers to wash their hands. The problem lies with the select few sellers who do not disease test their birds, and those who practice poor husbandry. We just don't know how they run their aviary - we're only seeing the fair. It is those few who ruin the experience.
If you plan on attending a bird fair, be sure to research the risks and use your best judgement. Take the proper precautions to protect your birds at home. Such precautions include showering immediately upon return to your home, and changing your clothes and shoes. If you do not have birds at home, and attend a fair with the intention of buying a companion bird, it would be in your best interest to ask the breeders if their birds have been disease tested. I would insist on testing. Do not leave without a written health guarantee. Ask that the guarantee period be extended based on the fact that there is a chance of environmental contamination. Many breeders only allow a few days for you to return a sick bird. In a closed aviary, this would not be a problem. When a breeder takes their birds to a fair, their aviary is no longer closed. (More about the closed aviary concept below) If you fall in love with a parrot, and decide on bringing him/her home without a guarantee, then you can perform disease testing yourself. Test kits are free at AvianBiotech, and the prices for test results are reasonable. Be warned, though, many breeders state that the expenses of disease testing are the responsibly of the buyer - even if the bird tests positive for a life threatening illness. Ask before you buy.
The following is from "An Introduction to Basic Principles of Flock Medicine and the Closed Aviary Concept."
"A breeding aviary that is self-contained and generates all of its own breeding stock with no outside input is an idealistic view of the psittacine aviary. Unlike the poultry industry with its "all in, all out" principles, psittacine aviaries rarely can cohere to this example. For this reason, the concept of the closed aviary is defined in terms that are more directly applicable to non-poultry species of birds. Infectious disease is best avoided in the breeding operation through strict traffic control. The closed aviary restricts introduction of infectious disease agents into the breeding aviary and controls traffic flow within the collection in an regimented manner to prevent spread of infectious disease within the facility. Lack of control of human or bird movements entering and within the breeding facility results in increased disease, impaired production, and increased risk of failure to meet desired production goals. This basic concept regarding traffic control principles is a critical foundation from which a successful avicultural management effort originates."
Brian L. Speer, DVM, DABVP-Avian
To learn more about the closed aviary concept, visit Model Agriculture Program
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