Post by melissasparrots on Nov 11, 2010 12:37:03 GMT -5
I have been enjoying this website on and off for a while, and I've always thought falconry would be something I would enjoy. However, I have several pet parrots that have to be my number one priority. I've done a little looking around into contagious raptor disease and it looks like a lot of it might be contact spread, which would be easy to manage. However, I'm worried about airborn disease transmission from a wild hawk to my pets. Has anyone had both falconry birds and pet parrots or passerines and had any problems with wild bird viruses getting into your flock?
How about in years where END(exotic newcastles disease) has circulated and the state vets have gotten involved? Any problems with avian flu? Those worry me not only for the lives of my pets, but also because the state and federal vets tend to get involved and start euthanize animals for fear it might spread to the poultry industry. I definitely don't want to get caught up in that as I have several pets and I also breed a couple species.
My own birds are tested for everything testable, so hopefully there would be zero risk to the hawk getting anything from my pets. Thanks, Melissa
Hi Melissa, I seriously doubt a wild hawk will cause you problems.
Not wanting to offend or be out of place but this statement really worries me , "However, I have several pet parrots that have to be my number one priority" , I will just ask you to re-think this statement because of the simply fact you are taking a wild animal and that has to be your number one priority.
The airborne pathogens you talk about occur but not to the level you are implying and are a bit like a winning lottery ticket, (I'm not an authority so I'm sure someone will correct me though).
This is all something you will need to talk to with a sponsor if you decide to take this up further.
Post by melissasparrots on Nov 13, 2010 22:53:25 GMT -5
Thanks for the responses. What I meant by "my number one priority" was that I need to make sure I'm not going to kill my current birds that I've already committed to by indulging my own interest in falconry. It would be unethical of me to go off indulging my own interest in falconry if the likely result is death of my current birds. Many of which I've had for 20 years or more and put a lot of money in vet bills, food and caging into.
My macaw keeps snapping welds on her cage, so I will have to spring for a stainless custom cage for her before I get serious about falconry. That will likely cost me a few thousand, so I have a few years to think about it. Don't want to start something unless I have the time and financial resources to do it right. Thanks again, Melissa