Buying birds online-And Shipping Back to Home page
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Buying Online Buying birds online is a little different than picking out a bird at your local pet store. When buying online from a breeder, that is out of state, or simply too far to get to, the bird must be shipped. How can you know that you are getting a healthy happy bird? What if it’s missing a toenail or toe? What if its’ beak is disfigured or misaligned? What if it’s really sick? What if it’s biting or mean? Ok, no more what ifs, but you get the point. The unspoken etiquette in selling a bird sight-unseen is to disclose any undesirable “particulars” about the bird. |
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Health and Quality There are honest breeders out there but where to look, and how to decipher the good ones from the shady ones is getting more difficult. That is the foundation of Bird Breeders Elite. This particular site will be designed to help breeders get quality knowledgeable customers and also help bird buyers get in touch with breeders who can be trusted. Another way to protect yourself is to ask lots of specific questions in regards to “undesirable particulars”. Health of the bird should be guaranteed by the breeder. Many breeders give you a time frame in which the bird should be checked by an avian vet to rule out possible illness. Although this is uncommon in the bird trade, some breeders will give you a, six month to one year, pre-existing health guarantee. This means that your bird is guaranteed to be free of any diseases that would have been contracted in the breeding or nursery environment. Again, ask questions, and be clear about the guarantee being offered. It should be in writing and signed by the breeder. By the same token, be prepared to convince the breeder that you are capable of properly caring for one of their "babies." Good breeders put a lot of time, love, and money into caring for and preparing their birds for new homes. Breeders that care about their birds don't want them bouncing from home to home because "things" didn't work out. If buying online makes you nervous, look first for breeders in your area. You might be surprised to find that through the internet one can find breeders within driving distance.
Shipping Let me first say that I have shipped many birds, and have received many birds by shipping, without a problem. Birds are shipped by Delta, Continental, and other airlines. These airlines have strict rules and procedures, which must be adhered to, so as to protect the bird or birds being shipped. Weather is checked first at all airports, where the cargo will be connecting or arriving, to make sure it’s not too cold or too hot. Once things have been cleared the birds are ready for drop-off. The breeder will then go to the cargo dept., of say Delta, to get the bird checked in. The carrier will be inspected and weighed so as to determine the cost of shipping. The latest trend has been to use plastic cat or dog carriers as the method of containment. A perch is secured in the crate and a cup is attached to the metal door for water in case a flight is delayed. Plenty of seed and apples, or other high water content fruit, are placed inside the crate for the bird or birds to munch on. After clearing inspection the “crate” is tagged with the shipper and receivers’ full name, address, and phone numbers. Receiving At the time of shipping the shipper is given an air bill number. That number is then given to you by the shipper so you can tract the cargo and identify it at time of pick-up. You would then drive to the cargo department of Delta, at your specified airport, approximately forty five minutes after your bird or birds are due to arrive. The forty five minutes is to give them time to unload the plane. Next, identify your crate with your air bill number and drivers license. Lastly, inspect the condition of the bird or birds and take them home. It may sound complicated but it’s not. Really it’s very simple.
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