Where to buy a healthy parrot?

 If you have decided on the type of parrot, it’s time to think about how where exactly can you buy a healthy parrot. There are several options, let’s look at all the pros and cons of each. 

1. Pet Shop. As a rule, amateurs and those who breed parrots on a large scale give parrots to pet stores. Birds can also be brought from abroad in bulk. Of the pluses, perhaps, only that you can see the bird with your own eyes. Perhaps the bird will be healthy. It often happens that parrots are infected. There are very few avian veterinarians and certificates can only be issued after a routine visual inspection. If there are certificates, they do not protect against any diseases and do not give a guarantee. Sellers sometimes do not have information about either the sex or the age of the parrots. The price is usually higher than anywhere else. The cages are not handled properly, which could lead to infection in the next batch of birds. Also, you will not be able to find out about the parents of the bird.
2. Market. A plus can only be a huge variety – color, age, appearance. Usually these are imported birds bought in bulk. In Belarus, most often this is smuggling. Those. you must understand how these parrots are transported (in narrow containers, sometimes they are drugged with something, etc.). Again, the issue of unsanitary conditions is even more pronounced. For diseases, the same as with pet stores, or even worse. I will say from my experience that a bird from the market has been dying for several years. I think that immunity after all these moves and stresses is very low initially, plus it is not known in what conditions the parents of the birds nested, etc. The price is a little cheaper than in pet stores.
3. Breeders, hobbyists. There are probably more pros than cons here. Let’s start with the latter. This is inexperience in breeding. That is, a person who is engaged in breeding is not experienced enough in this matter, is not savvy in terms of literature, therefore he can make mistakes, which then affect the offspring. These are rickets, and injuries, and the death of chicks. But all this can usually be determined visually when buying. From the pros – you can see the parents of the birds, the conditions of keeping, food, breeding conditions, etc. Believe me, all this is important, as it will affect the health of your pet. If the breeder or amateur is conscientious, he will show you everything, tell you, hide nothing, because it is also important for him to find the right hands for a well-groomed and cherished chick. Usually the price of birds is average (near market), but lower than in pet stores. Also, if something happens, most often you can contact such a person with a question or for advice.

 Remember that the parrot receives fifty percent of its health from its parents, and the remaining fifty is your merit. Proper nutrition, care and your observation of the pet will help him live a long life. There may be exceptions to every example I’ve given. The main thing is that you be careful when buying a parrot. Do not rush to choose, watch the birds. Choose an active bird with sparkling eyes. There should be no discharge from the nostrils, eyes, ears. The cloaca should also be clean, without feathers glued with droppings. The bird should not be thin or fat. The keel bone should be palpable but not prominent. The bird should not be a very young chick that has left the nest, as often such chicks are not yet feeding themselves and may die of starvation if they are not manually fed.