I've been jealous of those of you who have bird fairs nearby. Finally, the day came when there was one about 45 miles east of me. I dragged my hubby along, hoping to find bargains on birdie stuff, bird people to talk to, and birds to look at, of course. I gotta tell you, I was disappointed to put it mildly. We walk into the "ballroom" of this run down hotel, and all the birds in sight are not what I'm used to in my bright-eyed, healthy pets. There's a variety of birds, including this sad CAG, looking sad, scared and frankly not in good feather or spirits. There wasn't a single bird there that looked healthy or happy. Besides that, there were puppies - (can anyone say "puppy mill)"? The "toys" were homemade looking junk, with many parts that were not bird safe (jingle bells, small beads). And they were raffling off birds as door prizes! Most of the birds for sale were very cheap - breeders, mostly. I was somewhat sickened at this casual trafficking in living things. Geez - is this typical?

I went to a bird fair yesterday and it was great! I'm sorry you had such a bad experience. The one I went to was run by a rescue, so they were very into education and fully weaned babies etc. They had really great deals on cages and toys (and birds- but everybody looked happy and healthy). Hopefully my experience is the norm, but I'm pesimistic enough to think maybe that's not the case (like the auction down in Florida).

I got a sweet long-term travel cage (for when I go off w/ the bird for days/weeks) that's 16x16 with stand for $60. It has a nice big door, too. Now, if only she will accept it as something other than a scary monster...

That has not been typical of the ones i have been too.

I've been wanting to go to a Bird Fair but am afraid I will be disappointed only because I EXPECT alot.


Sorry to hear about the bad experience for your first.

Well I've only been to one, it was run by a so called rescue and I'd have to say my experience was much like yours. I won't go to one again, it was disgusting

Hope to never have an experience like that....sorry you had a bad experience. I have never been to a bird fair before but sure am looking forward to it.

Auction in Florida?

I went to a bird fair and then a bird show/fair. Two totally different experiences. The fair was a LOT like you describe, but the show was soooo much nicer.

The fair/show that I went to so wonderful. All the birds were happy and energetic. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience. I hope you find a good one so you won't be put off by all of them.

Here's the thread for the Florida auction:
http://www.quakerparrots.com/forum/index.p...&hl=auction

And on another site w/ more updated news:
http://secondchancebirds.net/forum/viewtop...sc&start=40

I think somewhere else I read a rescue was getting together money to buy the birds and rescue them, which IMO is a bad idea. It only encourages this whole wholesaling thing. Poor birds, yes, but I figure they will be turned into rescues soon enough when they aren't 'proven factories - Money Makers' like the ad says.

Okay, now I know what you are talking about. I saw that thread and it wasn't in Florida it was up north of here somewhere. I want to say Kentucky for some reason.


As far as bird shows/fairs, the best thing you can do at ones that are questionable is to not patronize them. Don't spend a dime and leave. I know sad for the birds there but any penny you spend encourages them. If they are in truly bad shape call the local humane society out there to see it. There's no sure answer all you can do is what you can.

I am so sorry that you had such a terrible experience. I went to my first bird fair a few weeks ago and it was great. I was able to go from breeder to breeder and talk to them about their birds. It was great, their birds were so healthy looking and tame. There was only one breeder that I thought was questionable. The birds were reasonably priced, there were some baby CAG's that I wish were a about $600 cheaper !

As far as toys go, I did see some toys that I felt were unsafe but I also got some really great ideas on some simple, safe toys that I could make (I just haven't gotten around to it).

For the most part I had a blast!

I think I would faint if there was ever a bird fair/show in my area...lol

I would love to be able to go to one, but I think you have to be careful of the ones that you chose to go to. Some are done very well and others are not.

I've been to a few bird fairs and some were really great and some weren't very good at all, but I guess it depends on what vendors are able to get there.
If I smell a bird fair within an hours drive and Im free, I'm there
tikileahsmom

I wouldnt judge them all by one bad experience..Keep going if you get a chance.Maybe diff locations. Since that one may always be that bad.. There are some really nice ones.

Humm, I haven't gotten to go to a bird fair yet. I've always wanted to though. I'm glad you shared your experience so I'll be more prepared for what I could possibly run into! Sorry it was disappointing. I feel sorry for the birds. No telling what types of homes they will land in getting raffled off like that!