Even though I know most of us here know this, I still thought it might be useful to reiterate the value in having a good breeder.

My first two birds came from a pet store. The pet store was clean and birds were well socialized. As far as getting birds from a pet store, I'm sure it was one of the better/best experiences.

However, my other two birds that came as babies, (Grace my Grey--from a local breeder-- and Pablo my black headed caique--from our very own Andie) came from breeders that I knew something about and thought (think) really highly of.

Beyond the general benefits of knowing your baby's history and getting a health guarantee, I think one of the greatest benefits of purchasing from a breeder is the overall support.

For example, Grace broke her wing a couple months after I got her and started plucking. I didn't figure out what caused the plucking right away and I contacted Julie for help. She gave me really awesome advice, provided moral support, and gave me the contact information for an expert on plucking.

Pablo recently got sick. Because I know Andie I've been able to get her advice and input. You all cannot even CONCEIVE of how supportive and helpful she's been. A pet store would probably just tell me that since I bought the bird x amount of months ago, there is nothing they can do. And while Andie is NO WAY RESPONSIBLE for Pablo's sickness, she's still helping me find out relevant information and talking to local vets and such for even more ideas.

In either scenario, what would a pet store do? Perhaps a locally owned pet store or an individual employee may be that awesome, but usually once they make the sale that's basically it.

So, the moral of my story is that one of the greatest benefits of purchasing from a good breeder is the long term interest and help they can provide. If it were ever necessary you could find out information about your pet's parents or siblings or the conditions they were raised in.

I am in no way saying all pet stores are bad or that all breeders are good. But I do think that if you do research and find a good breeder you're getting your pet from the best situation possible.

Anyone else have input on the breeder vs. pet store debate?

Really you said it in a nutshell. After a period of time a store will say sorry buddy especially with a live animal. With a good breeder you are privy to their background records and the extra extra mile. Ive read too much of blue to blue crosses in QPs can create more nervous birds therefore a breeder with hands on knowlege study and experience is far more reliable. I have bought both of my fids from pet stores but in future if I were to ever get another fid I would go to someone who knew what they were doing and it will most likely be Andi!

What do you mean by pet shop? Like pet co.
Or just a local bird store that sells only birds. I have one up the block form me that get them in as babies and you can handfeed them yourself under their supervison and when ready you can take them home.

I would rather find a breeder. However-I would not ship the bird.hen anyone who said-oh I'll ship would scare me more. So if I am unable to find a breeder near by. Then I would perchase from our local bird store-I have three in the area. My chachi came from one.I think it's ok they are always helpful.

Never would I ever buy anything from a petco-I don't even buy crickets there. Gross!

I think the keyword is good breeders. Finding one can be a challange in some circumstances yet I do know that they do exist and with those you can get great aftercare for your new fid etc....

As I have gotten to know Andie for example from the forums I do know she is a good breeder. If I were to ever buy a young bird or someone asked me for a recomendation I would in a heartbeat recommend they contact her because I know her birds are well taken care of, totally weaned and a bit of her heart is put into each and every bird she has ever touched.

I am also a big rehome advocate but generally for rehomed birds I really think the receiver of such birds needs to have some experience under their belt..there are always exceptions to that rule of course but since I do volunteer my hands to service at a shelter and I come across a multitude of homeless birds I do realize there has to be a place for all of them too.

Pet stores make me edgy. I hate walking into any one that sells birds. Yet I am guilty of walking into them like alot of us do and playing with the fids awaiting homes. There are two Quakers for example at a petsmart that I sometimes go to when I am too lazy to drive to parrot island for supplies and they were 3 months old when I initially saw them and they have been in that store for a good year now. Their diet is pathetic and fresh fruits and vegetables have probably never crossed their beaks. They are in high cages so little kids fingers dont get bitten but up so high (and I am tall) that its difficult for people to see them as well. I always pray in my head that they find good homes with people that will love them.

I do know when someone has a good support system initially for the care and feeding of their birds chances are they will keep them. Most people who render birds are ill informed and have no clue what steps can be taken when problems arise. If I think a problem can be sorted out I usually try to talk the person trying to render the animal into giving it a chance. Sometimes it works most times it does not because by the time the bird is brought to the shelter the owner has already made their mind up. I have to accept the fact not everyone is a bird person I guess.

I am just glad you had a positive experience

You know, I am a huge advocate of specialization. If you can find a bird specialty store, if you cannot find a breeder, that would be better than a "pet" store. Thanks for the compliments.

When I wanted to get a bird..after researching which one I would want and fell in love with the quaker...I had all intentions of finding a breeder. I happened to see a pet store one day on my way home from my Grandmother's. It had bird cages outside and thinking hey I'm gonna need one of those soon. I decided to stop in..take a look and get an idea of pricing. When I went in I was greeted by very friendly people. I immediately noticed...this was a ALL bird shop. Nothing but cages..and toys..and food..and everything else. So I'm looking around and I notice they have some birds..so I go take a look..and there they were ..about 8 quakers. I hadn't expected to find them there. I had been in other "pet" stores and usually all they have is parakeets, and cockatiels and occassionally maybe a big macaw. So when I saw them ..(and my hubby was like uh oh) I had to get one. Brady was only 8 wks old. The people there were so great. They sold me a used cage..and it only had a broken door which I fixed with a $2 clamp from the hardware store. She took me all around the store..and picked helped me pick out everything I would need to get started. I wasn't on a budget but I didn't want to spend a huge chunk...and she really helped to stay in a reasonable price range(The cage saved me a huge chunk). She told me all about their diet..and behavior..and showed me how to feed him (he was still being weaned). It was great..I was really impressed. They will board your bird if you need it. The people who work there all have their own birds...and they have been in business for over 30 years. I was truly impressed. Brady has been such a delight. They always have babies who are being hand fed and socialized. Had it not been for that place though..I would of went the breeder route.

3 of our fids came from pet stores, the other two were adopted.

Our very first bird, Jola, a Senegal, came from a pet store as well. When she was just over a year old she was diagnosed with PDD, and died a short time later. We went back to the pet store knowing full well that there was no waranty after so long a period, yet the owner gave us a choice of waiting for another bird or a full refund.

I regard this store owner to be as accountable as a breeder.

I realize this is an exception, but if you're going to do business with a pet store, do it with a mom and pop type operation. If they are the least bit concerned about thier reputation, they will do their best to look after their customers.

I have to agree with Andie on this. Lumping all pet shops together is akin to discrimination.

Places like PetsMart and Petco that hire any kid off the street to stock shelves and clean cages are usally not very knowlegeable or helpful when it comes to the problems you mention.

Shops that specialize in birds are generally owned by a person who sincerely loves birds and are concerned with their well-being. And, they are just as interested in your repeat business, and their reputation, as they are in the health of the birds that they have sold.

I'm all for the Mom and Pop type who actually raise or at least have birds of their own....Specialty shops Are also a great place. But you still need to do the homework first! Then go ask questions...go back and research the answers given and see if the answers given are correct etc. Remember too, there are breeders and then there are Millers You want the breeders. And you want someone that has a few years experience under their belt. Its not to say you can't get good help from first time breeders but they are still learning as well and may not know the answers and may not have the resources to find the answers.

I would advise that if you are in the market for a bird, Some of the questions you ask whom ever you decide to get it from is, What about follow up care? What if I have problems or questions a year from now, can I call you for assistance? If they hem and Haw about it....they aren't the right ones...Thats where you have to keep the impulse buying fever in check. So many people are impulse buyers...And I am one of them, but have learned to ask LOTS of questions prior. I have also learned to force myself to walk away and out of the store or facility and give it at least 24 hours to think it through. If people say, you better hurry and make up your mind because it might not be here tomorrow, and put pressure on you to buy right then and there....Avoid it like the plague. I also look for people who are willing to freely give you information if you want it. Someone that is hands on with the animal and knows how to properly handle them.

i got my birds from a pet store. there are no breeders around me,well there was one and she went out of business after her husband got ill. she has been around for a long time. i still will go to her if i have questions and she trys to help. she is the only reference i have to breeders but i know for sure that the pet store that i got my birds from (a Local store) would not not not be of any help should i need it. its one of the reasons i love this forum!!!!
i have read books and looked things up online. but ive learned more here in a short time than anywere else combinded. so thanks to all who share on here.

i had all intentions of finding a reputable breeder. i decided to go to a pet store that i had been to in the past. it's mostly a bird store but they also have small animals. i thought they could help me with names of breeders because i thought they sold mostly bigger birds. when i walked in... there was Cricket... 5 weeks old.

while i had every intention of buying from a breeder, i couldn't be more happy from the store i bought Cricket from. they let me visit him whenever i wanted, for as long as i wanted. i asked TONS of questions. i've received follow-up calls from them. they do bird sitting too.

now, this week i went to petco just to look around on my lunch hour. they have a quaker that's been there for months. he's even more expensive than Cricket was. although i'm tempted to get him because i feel bad for him, i can't afford MBS!

so, my opinion is... there are good stores out there that really care who they sell their birds to!

Well I lucked out becuase both my feather heads came from petstores. Frankly, I prefer the petstore to my all bird store (becuase there are a lot of birds ther and I do mean I lot and I don't know if they each get enough attention).

If I could do it again, i would go to a breeder. Breeders are the best when it comes to any pet (dog cat bird etc)

But not all petstores are bad. Mine new everything about Sunny becuase the practicall tamed her (she was in an abusive environment with her breeder).

I am glad that my girls are doing well that's all.

Well, actually- my local Petco is much nicer than the local 'Mom and Pop.' At one point, I had said to myself if the rescue didn't contact me before Friday, then I was going to go spring poor Lu the Quaker. Of course, they called Thursday night (I think rescues have the 6th sense about that sort of thing). But yeah- everyone who worked with the birds had one and they tamed them all, fed fresh fruits and veggies, the whole deal. Sadly their employee turn-over is pretty high, so probably those people are gone now...

When you can get a good store, it's very rewarding. There is a fella that works at one of the Petsmarts here in Spokanistan, and he is so good with the animals and quite Knowledgable, and if he doesn't know...he'll help you find the answer. I wish they had more people like him working there...but I do like my local petsmart, for some things...LOL But finding those stroes that are great, like others have mentioned, are few and far between.