At the local trade center there is a vendor who sells birds. Usually, the birds seem healthy and happy. Last weekend when I went to look at them I was shocked. The cockatiels were overcrowded, maybe 30 in a cage. They were fighting for food and many were missing quite a bit of feathers. The parakeets seemed slightly overcrowded as well. One of the cockatoos was screaming because it wanted out and many of the other birds just looked angry.
I was at the trade center again, and decided to stop by to see if the conditions changed. The cockatiels were no where near as crowded but some still were plucked. The parakeets looked good. They got in 3 beautiful grey's that looked healthy. Some of the other medium sized birds ( not sure on the species) were in a cage (in pairs)that was too small and didn't seem to be getting along but still looked healthy. I was pleased to see that they had improved. They weren't perfect but at least it wasn't horrifying. Then I saw it. A cage full of finches. Not overcrowded. All seemed okay; except one finch. On the bottom, laying down, breathing hard. I told the lady there and she came and put her hand in and the bird got up and acted normal. She said " I think something's wrong with it. It does that. Maybe the others puck on it because it is missing some feathers." I couldn't believe she would leave a sick or hurt bird in there!
Also, the lady was very rude to me. As soon as she found out I wasn't buying a bird, she went and stood outside of the booth. Not talking to anyone. Even though I was clearly trying to talk to her. The guy who is usually there is much friendlier. Even if you don't care that you are selling sick birds you should care that if they all get sick nobody will buy them and you will make no profit.
I was at the trade center again, and decided to stop by to see if the conditions changed. The cockatiels were no where near as crowded but some still were plucked. The parakeets looked good. They got in 3 beautiful grey's that looked healthy. Some of the other medium sized birds ( not sure on the species) were in a cage (in pairs)that was too small and didn't seem to be getting along but still looked healthy. I was pleased to see that they had improved. They weren't perfect but at least it wasn't horrifying. Then I saw it. A cage full of finches. Not overcrowded. All seemed okay; except one finch. On the bottom, laying down, breathing hard. I told the lady there and she came and put her hand in and the bird got up and acted normal. She said " I think something's wrong with it. It does that. Maybe the others puck on it because it is missing some feathers." I couldn't believe she would leave a sick or hurt bird in there!
Also, the lady was very rude to me. As soon as she found out I wasn't buying a bird, she went and stood outside of the booth. Not talking to anyone. Even though I was clearly trying to talk to her. The guy who is usually there is much friendlier. Even if you don't care that you are selling sick birds you should care that if they all get sick nobody will buy them and you will make no profit.
