The purchase of birds.
How to prevent problems
 J.Hooimeijer, DVM
Clinic For Birds, Meppel , The Netherlands
Email: jan.birds@worldonline.nl

Introduction

This paper has been established to prevent problems by giving information and advises regarding the purchase of birds.
One of the aims is to prevent the spread of contagious diseases through irresponsible trade.
The second aim is to ensure that everyone that wants to purchase a bird will consider the consequences and the possible risks involved .
It is the aim of this paper to be a useful aid to help the candidate buyer to make the right decisions and to come to solid arrangements with the seller.
It is also the aim of this paper to inform (avian) veterinarians about the issue of the purchase of birds and to provide a general protocol that can be implemented in giving advice to candidate buyers.

Every birdowner started with the purchase of one of more birds.
Through purchase and trade there is a constant exchange between birdfacilities.
The experience of any avian veterinarian is that because of this exchange many diseases are spreading and are coming forward. Also birds that participate at birdshows or are taken home after a birdmarket can be the cause of the outbreak of disease.

In time we can see in avian practice that many owners of petbirds start having health roblems with their birds after some years and we see the development of a wide variety of behavioral problems.

It's important to pay as much attention as possible to preventive measures.

Starting-point is the long term interests of the birds by preventing the spread of contagious diseases and to prevent the occurrence of other healthproblems associated with ignorance of the owner and to prevent behavioral problems in birds.

Before the purchase, candidate buyers should show consideration for different issues.

First the candidate buyer should ask him/herself if the purchase of a bird is a wellthought decision and not an impulse purchase.
Can the buyer , after the purchase provide and guarantee the bird adequate housing, feeding and care om the long term.
At the purchase of a parrot, cockatoo, macaw and so on, we have to realize that those birds will be purchased for the rest of our lives and this choice is a major responsibility.
It is known that many parrots that have been purchased in the past developed many healthproblems because of ignorance of the owner regarding the needs of the birds. We know that still about 80% of the health problems that occur are the result of nutritional problems. Mainly because of deficiencies but also because of overdoses of vitamins, agricultural pesticides, insecticides, conservatives and antifungals.
It is known that many parrots that are purchased in the past will go back into the trade or end up in a rescue sanctuary because of a wide variety of behavioral problems . Mainly because of a lack of understanding of the needs of the birds regarding their education and because of underestimating the intelligence of the birds.

Before any purchase, the advice is to contact an avian veterinarian, member of the Association of Avian Veterinarians to discuss the consequences of keeping a bird.
Before any purchase , the aspirant owner should learn about the behavioral aspects of the species involved as part of a long term commitment.

Especially parrots are highly intelligent birds that need the care that can be compared with the care of a young child of 3-4 years old or the care of a young dog. It needs a lifetime commitment and the disadvantages of having a petbird should be seriously considered. It is also very important to consider whether the species suits the best in the lifestyle of the caretaker.
To many birds have to change homes in their lives because the one who purchased the bird in the first place was not well informed and not aware of the long term consequences. At the end many birds even end up in a rescue sanctuary. It is the responsibility of the breeder, seller , buyer and avian veterinarian to ensure a safe and stable situation for the bird that ensures the wellbeing and welfare of the birds on the long term.
At the end birds do not belong in a rescue sanctuary and they certainly do not belong in the trade.

It is important to realize that the purchase of a baby bird , that is still not weaned , is a serious risk factor for the bird and a serious risk factor for the inexperienced owner.
The advice is to buy a bird that is already weaned and socialized with other birds as well as with humans. There is a growing awareness that birds that are handfed by inexperienced people can develop all kind of behavioral problems in the future.

Without adequate knowledge and commitment , the purchase of any bird is irresponsible.

Birds that are purchased for breeding purposes can be a great threat for the healthstatus of the existing birds within the breeding facility. It is important to realize that the value of the new bird is never more important then the value of the birds that are already kept in the facility.
The purchase of a bird without having a protocol to prevent problems to occur in the future is irresponsible and creates healthrisks in the (near) future.
Investing in the prevention of problems is in general still underestimated and not an integral part of the purchase of birds. The price the buyer has to invest in the purchase of a new bird is the price he has to pay to the breeder/seller and the price for examining , testing and quarantine. If the buyer is not able or willing to pay for the examination or testing for disease , the purchase of a bird is not realistic.

The background of the bird

Birds can be purchased through different ways. Through bird markets and birdtrade or via via and in general anonymous. In those cases the buyer doesn't know the seller.
The background of the birds is unknown and the circumstances at the place of the seller are unknown.
The birds are often not individual identified.. Birds can have already more different owners in their past and it is unknown why the birds are sold.
It has many advantages to buy birds from well known breeders of which reliable information is available. To buy a bird from a seller that owns the parents of the bird is the best way to go.
It creates the possibility to evaluate the housing, the care and the behavior of the parents and the way the breeder is taking care of his birds.
Buying birds from a place where the birds are comfortable and safe and well taken care of as individual birds is a great advantage.
Responsible breeders/sellers have the desire that the bird is taken care of well in the future. Responsible breeders/sellers are asking questions and are pointing out issues and consequences on the long term to be sure that the buyer is making a balanced decision purchasing a bird.
Responsible breeders/sellers give an abundant of information and refer to an avian veterinarian , to avicultural organizations and refer to available books and magazines.
Responsible breeders/sellers show that they are also involved in the conservation of parrots.
Responsible petshops create a protocol in cooperation with an avian veterinarian to ensure healthy and happy birds. Responsible petshops refer to an avian veterinarian for a post purchase examination and for further information and advice.

Identification

It is important that birds are individual identified with a permanent legband. In this way there is proof that the birds is born within aviculture and it is possible to check the background of the bird, the name of the breeder and the age of the bird.
There are also other means to identify a bird. Especially a transponder can be a useful tool to identify a bird.
With other animals like dogs and cats it is common to receive a pedigree of the animal. Also in racing pigeons there are always data available about the parents and the pedigree.
With parrots and most other birds this is not yet common.
Especially in species where the number of breedingbird is limited , it is essential for the future of the species to prevent inbreeding.
Inbreeding has many disadvantages on the long term within aviculture and is a threat for birdspecies. Within international breedingprograms of endangered species the data about the background of the individual birds are known to prevent hereditary problems.

Housing, feeding

At the purchase, it is vital to have information concerning the housing of the birds at the sellers place.
Birds can be kept in a place with climate control and higher temperatures or coming out of places where there is no heating at all. They can have been outside or inside.
After the purchase it is of importance to show consideration regarding the best climate conditions.
It is also of importance to have information about the food that was given to the birds. After the purchase, it seems to be the best to continue at first with the food the bird was used to before a change of food.

The examination and control of birds before the purchase.

During the purchase of birds it is important that birds are being examined. The experience is that birds in general are bought without a serious look.
It is essential that the buyer takes enough time to evaluate the birds prior to the purchase.
Most practical is to evaluate the bird in a systematic way.
The examination can be divided into different parts.
A main part can be done by the buyer before the purchase. Another part should be done by an (avian)veterinarian whereby also additional laboratorywork can be necessary .

It is vital to evaluate the bird from a distance and if possible in a quiet area.
The bird should have the possibility to sit on a perch. The attitude and posture can then be evaluated.

Further will be evaluated;
· Abnormalities of the nostrils and the eyes
· The beak. The quality of the beakstrukture and positioning.
· The respiration. Birds having respiratory problems will show an abdominal respiration and tail bobbing can be observed. The beak should be closed during respiration
· Both legs, toes and nails
· Marked abnormalities like hanging wing(s).
· Feather quality, abnormalities and molting disorders.
· Dirty undertail feathers with feces or urine.
· The feces , color and consistence. There can distinct differences between birdspecies.
· The urine contains of two parts, the clear white part and a watery part. The urine may not be to watery. With an abnormal color , there is an suspicion of an internal problem. Liverproblems can be suspected when the white urine fraction is yellowish or green.
· If there is the opportunity to let the bird fly, it is possible to judge the way the bird can fly and it can be evaluated whether the bird shows respiratory distress after effort.

Evaluation in the hand

Every bird has to be evaluated in the hand.
Candidate owners that are not comfortable with the examination and evaluation of a bird in the hand should discuss that with the breeder/seller and emphasize that the physical evaluation will be part of the post purchase examination by the avian veterinarian.

Different matters can be evaluated:

· The head, both eyes, both nostrils, both ears.
· Abnormal respiratory sounds can be heard
· The beak is evaluated for abnormalities like cnemidocoptes in different species.
· the throat and mucous membranes are evaluated.
· The neck, crop and breastentrance
· The breastmuscles, evaluating the nutritional status, overweight, or weightloss. It's important to determine the weight of the bird so it can be compared in the (near) future.
· The breastbone, evaluating the calcification and abnormalities
· Abdomen , looking for abnormalities including evaluating the legbones.
In small birds like finches the abdomen can be visualized by blowing away the feathers. The liver and the intestines can be seen.
· Both wings are spread and the bones and joints are evaluated and compared.
· The feathers are and possible molting disorders are evaluated. There is looked for mites and lice.
· The same for the tailfeathers
· The skin is evaluated on different areas, especially the skin of the feet should be monitored for abnormalities.
· Looking for bodylice feather lice and mites.
· Both legs, toes and nails are closely monitored.
· The information on the legband is monitored and written on paper , also evaluating the diameter and the quality of the legband.
· The cloaca is evaluated. In amazons and macaws it is important to look for abnormalities suspected for papillomatosis.
· In budgerigars and other species special attention is paid for evidence for the presence of cnemidocoptes. Typical white crusty skin and beak deformities with the appearance of honeycomb.

Additional examinationpossibilities through the avian veterinarian

The avian veterinarian will also examine the bird from a distance and in the hand as described before the purchase.
Birds often don't show external signs of disease despite the presence of a (contagious) disease.
Birds try to hide symptoms of a disease as long as possible. Their behavior and activity can be normal. In nature it's a way of self-protection. Birds that show signs of disease will be noted by their own species and by raptors and they will be chased away or killed.
There are exceptions but in general bird with diseases often have a good appetite, for instance to compensate weightloss.
It is therefor very useful to examine any purchase bird and to perform additional examinations for the presence of (contagious) diseases.

It is essential that at any purchase there is an agreement about the needed additional evaluation by an avian veterinarian.
It is important to have an agreement that the purchase can be canceled depending the findings of the additional examination by an avian veterinarian..
It can be discussed with the avian veterinarian which examination and what kind of tests are needed for the specific birdspecies looking at the circumstances and background of the bird.
Avian medicine has developed itself , over the past twenty years , as an important part of veterinary science. More and more diseases are known and more additional tests are available for the avian veterinarian to evaluate the health status of birds.

The additional examination can be;

· To determine the weight of the bird , to determine the species and the information of the legband or transponder.
· Examination of the feces. It can be investigated directly under the microscope and/or after using different staining techniques. There can be looked for internal parasites, bacteria, mycosis and yeast. There can be started a culture for bacteria, mycosis and viruses.
· Swabs can be taken out of the throat, crop, cloaca , conjunctiva and skin, looking for parasites. There is also the possibility to do special stainings and cultures for bacteria and mycosis. Especially in Amazons and Macaws it is very important to investigate the cloaca and the choaneslit for the presence of papillomatosis. It can be indicated to take a biopsy to perform a histopathological examination. A swab taken from the cloaca can be investigated for chlamydia and polyomavirus. Testing for chlamydia is especially important because of the potential healthrisk for humans.
· There can be done an investigation of the blood looking for Beak and Feather Disease , Paramyxovirus and other diseases. Further a bloodinvestigation can be done to determine internal problems. A bloodsmear can be done to evaluate the bloodcells and looking for possible bloodparasites.
· A radiological investigation can give extra information for instance looking for signs of Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD). Testing for PDD is in development.
· An endoscopic investigation can be done to look into the airsacs to determine the sex and to evaluate the internal organs. It is also possible, using the endoscope, to evaluate the trachea, oesophagus and cloaca.

Agreements during the purchase and the contract of sale

It is very important to have clear agreements during the purchase of a bird. It is advised to put the agreements on paper to prevent any misunderstanding

Some issues that are of importance regarding an agreement are;
· The identification of the bird
· The period within the bird will be investigated by an avian veterinarian and the purchase can be canceled depending the results of the examination. This includes a sexdetermination when the bird is sold as a male or female.
· The costs of the examination of the bird when there is reason to cancel the purchase

Quarantine

A quarantine is important when a bird is purchased into a situation where there are already birds at home or in the facility.
A quarantine is a period where the bird is isolated to prevent any exchange of contagious diseases between different birds.
Wellknown is the quarantine of birds after importation. For instance there is in the Netherlands a minimal period of 30 days to prevent the spread of New Castle Disease. This measure has been taken because of the interest of the poultry industry. For most of the contagious diseases that are important in birds, the period of 30 days is (far) to short. In different diseases birds can be carriers of a disease for years without showing symptoms. In some cases they will never show symptoms at all. So there is no quarantine period long enough to prevent the spread of all known contagious diseases.
The advice is to use a minimum of 9 weeks for a quarantine and to use this period to observe and examine the birds for possible diseases before they enter the facility. To investigate a bird for PBFD, it is advised to check the bird again after 3 months. In that case the quarantine period should be at least 3 months.

The importance of a quarantine

· New birds should have to change to acclimatize to the new circumstances. It is important to realize that the exchange of birds will create a stress situation . This makes birds more vulnerable for problems. The circumstances should be as good as possible for the new birds. The ambient temperature should be a little higher then the ambient temperature at the seller's place.
· The possibility to observe the birds, to let them examine and if necessary to treat. It is important to determine the weight of the bird after the purchase and evaluate the weight during the quarantine period. Weight loss can be the first and only finding of a bird having problems. Any treatment of birds during the quarantine period is depending the species, the background and the findings of the examination. It is not wise to treat new birds for all kind of diseases with all kind of medication Most of the diseases can be found and/or excluded by means of an examination. When a bird dies during the quarantine period, it is essential to determine the cause of death. Depending the cause of death and the agreement with the seller, measures can be taken. Depending the bird species and the circumstances there are vaccines available to prevent diseases.
During the quarantineperiod birds can get used to the food that is used at the facility. It is
important to know what kind of food the bird was accustomed before the purchase. To prevent
problems on the long term, the quality of the food is very important. The best choice is to provide
the birds with certified organic pelleted foods and certified organic fruits and vegetables.
· To prevent the spread of contagious diseases to other birds in the facility. There should be created a separated space for the quarantineperiod to prevent any exchange between the new birds and the other birds. The room should be easily cleaned and disinfected. There should be a separated ventilationsystem. The owner should first take care of the birds in the facility and take care last of the birds in the quarantine . It is advised to wear different clothing and to exchange shoes after visiting the quarantine.

Conclusion

All preventive measures taken during the purchase are in the best interest of the birds and thereby in the best interest of the sincere owner.

The best prevention is to acquire knowledge about the needs of a bird before any purchase and to contact an avian veterinarian to discuss the questions that arise.

It is especially important to protect the birds in a facility against new birds that might be carrying contagious diseases. The value of a breedingcollection in a facility is in general much higher then the value of the new birds.
Within aviculture the cost of a postpurchase examination is often compared with the value of that individual bird. The costs should be compared with the value of the whole facility.
In the purchasecosts there should also be calculated the costs for preventive measures.
Problems or death after the purchase of birds is a painful and frustrating experience for the owner and the family that should be avoided as much as possible.
Problems or death in a breedingfacility as a result of the purchase of birds can have serious consequences in the future. This issue is especially important dealing with viral diseases without an available treatment.

Breeders have a great responsibility by breeding birds within aviculture , especially dealing with species that are endangered in nature.

Summary and recommendations

· Contact an avian veterinarian before any purchase of a bird to talk about the consequences , the preventive measures and to make an appointment for the purchase check up.
· Contact avicultural societies to find out about reliable addresses where to buy a bird.
· Don't buy birds from unknown sellers
· Don't buy birds via via.
· Don't buy birds without reliable identification
· Get as much information as possible regarding the background of the birds ( age, sex, housing, feeding, pedigree)
· Don't buy birds without an agreement with the seller concerning a postpurchase examination and the responsibility in case of hidden ailments / diseases.
· Don't buy a bird without a thorough postpurchase checkup.
· Don't buy a bird without the possibility of a safe quarantine facility when there are other birds involved.
· Use the available opportunities to observe and investigate the bird during the quarantineperiod.
· Investing in prevention is investing in the future to prevent problems for the best interest of the birds.


In general the advice to birdowners is to become member of a national and local avicultural society to stay informed about developments within aviculture
It seems obvious that birdowners support organizations that stand up for the best interests
of birds in nature as well as in aviculture and as petbird.
Examples of these organizations are; World Parrot Trust, RARE and Bird Life International.

© J.Hooimeijer, DVM