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Here are some Guidelines That Will Ensure You Purchase
a Healthy & Happy Toucan
* always ask if you can visit the breeder to see his operation.
If he declines, it may be because he is hiding something. Either
he may be a broker and not really a breeder, or he may have a facility
that is so run down and dirty that he is embarrassed to have it
seen. Excuses the birds are breeding, or visitors are not allowed
for whatever reasons, are simply excuses and raise a red flag. Breeders
with high quality operations are proud to show their birds.
* Ask the breeder if he is willing to have a veterinarian examine
the bird(s). Of, course you should be willing to pay for any exam,
but the breeder's willingness to do so is a telltale sign of confidence
in the bird's overall health. If he refuses, then something may
be wrong, or he may not have a relationship with a vet. Every breeder
worth his salt has a relationship with a veterinarian.
* Ask if the birds are raised outdoors. Birds raised outdoors are
less likely to have health issues and/or be exposed to airborne
viruses and other diseases. Outdoor birds are always healthier and
more desirable. Indoor bred birds are often exposed to airborne
viruses and other diseases, which become concentrated do to lack
of fresh air. No matter how indoor birds are maintained, they simply
cannot be as healthy.
* Try to buy from breeders that are MAP certified. Map certified
breeders have been inspected periodically by a licensed veterinarian
and the inspection report is then reviewed by a panel of other veterinarians
and respected breeders. MAP aviaries are held to the very highest
standards of care for their birds. Visit the MAP website (www.modelaviculture.org)
to review their procedures, practices and standards of care. Map
certification is one of the important ways you can reassure yourself
you are getting a bird from a high quality breeder.
* Ask the breeder for references from other customers and/or his
veterinarian. If he cannot provide references, then most likely
there are problems. If the breeder has been serving his customer
well, he will be proud to share that with you. Visit our Client
Photo gallery and Toucan
Tales to see what our clients have to say.
* Beware cheap prices. Some Internet advertisers offer cheap prices
- so cheap you should be suspicious. These "cheap" birds
are often smuggled, stolen, or simply nonexistent. Internet scammers
are becoming highly sophisticated. Again, ask to visit to see the
birds. Low prices and denial of visitation is a dead giveaway.
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