What to expect at a Bird Fair???

[FlyingTorchy]

I am going to my very first bird fair next month!! I was wondering what to expect, aside from my boyfriend keeping me on a tight leash so I don't buy every sweet baby I see.
I have gone to a reptile convention before and know that they have great deals there ($25 for a normal $100 pacman frog etc.) Can I expect the same kind of deals on toys and parrots going there?
I know this is a really broad question but I just wanted everyone's opinion and get some cool experiences that you've had if you have gone! Thanks bunches!!

 

[texsize]

I went to my first Bird fair last Month.
I had low expectations but it was fantastic.
They had about 6 macaws on stands that you could approach (if you felt bold).
Lots of toys and some cages.
There was more hands on handling of the birds for sale that I expected.
There was a cage I wanted to buy but I just did not have the money at the time. I wish I had bought it anyway. the pet shop near me has the same cage for 2x the price.

The bird prices were a bit high, at least the ones I saw a price on.
They had a CAG that they were asking $2,400 dollars for.
a YNA and a BFA for $1,000 dollars.

 

[SailBoat]

Much will depend on where in this huge World you are located, as the fairs tend to vary greatly depending on the region you are in!

As a past president of a local Bird Club, I oversaw six years worth of both Bird Shows and Fairs. If there are birds at the show, I always like to know if they have a Show /Fair Avian Vet that has inspected the Birds prior to the event opening. Most all North America and EU Countries that is a fairly common thing, but it is alway worth asking.

Bio Practice: I will admit being a bit over the top with this part, but we have long worked with Amazons that have been ill and commonly had weak immune systems. Bathe and wear fresh cloths and no contact with your Parrot once you are changed and ready to leave. When you come home, its everything into the Wash Machine and then a bath before you interact with your Parrot. You carry nothing with you, you bring nothing home!

Go to have fun and learn, regardless of the size of the event!

Commonly, the event is being provided by a local Bird Club. Get information and consider joining! Nothing like knowing some local "Crazy Parrot People."

 

[wrench13]

Same goes for anything you purchase there. Medical nasties can find their way itot your home on toys, bags of food, perches etc etc.

 

[riddick07]

Bird expos I’ve always found boring. Same with most pet expos. Reptile expos are the only ones I’ve ever liked. There was a reef/coral and Reptile combination that was interesting in nj. I honestly think they’d have more luck combining small bird and Reptile expos. Might just be the area I live in though. I know a lot of people with both birds and reptiles but they don’t spend anything really at bird expos. But Reptile people spend a **** ton of money at reptile expos. So I think they’d be more likely to buy bird stuff while in a reptile expo state of mind lol

Edit: an example would be me. I’ve spent zero out of all the expos I’ve been to for birds. I’ve thought about it a few times but never done it. I’ve spent thousands at the reptile expos I’ve been to....so yeah I’d probably have been more likely to just spend 40 bucks on toys for the birds after coughing up a bunch of money for a snake because at that point why not haha

 

[FlyBirdiesFly]

I always buy a ton of toys when I go to my local monthly bird fair. Lots of birds to handle (all clipped though because it wouldn’t be practical to have them flying around), lots of toys, a few cages but not many large ones. I have a lot of fun each time I go and I even met Kermit and Pearl’s breeder there.

 

[FlyingTorchy]

Thanks for the replies!! I hoping to go and pick up a new parrot or two, but they are going to be in a separate room from the baby I already have for quarantine and until they get used to being around the members of the house hold. The local bird club is fairly big (in my opinion) with about 800 spoken members on the roster. I am excited to sign up for it and hope to make the weekly meetings even though I only own one bird XD

As for toys, thanks for the heads up because I was planning on coming home with my arms full! Is there any way I would be able to sanitize them or would I just be better off ordering online?

 

[SailBoat]

There are two kinds of Vendors at a Bird Fair, new products and used product. New Product Vendors bring 'new' product to a Fair. It is always possible, but rare that they would have a issues. The used products would require your proper handling and cleaning prior to use.