Illegal birds and neutering?

[forbey]

I was just reading a thread on Quakers being illegal in California.

First question, are Amish illegal, too?

OK, bad joke ... but seriously, can "pet" birds be neutered, and if they are can a certificate be provided to a state that might result in the bird being allowed in?

Would the process of neutering a bird be any more hazardous that surgical sexing?

Just a thought for the sake of conversation.

Skittles is a surgically sexed male; however, he will most likely never be paired with another for the sake of breeding. While that is good for me, it most likely would not appease a government bent on preventing the possible anhialation of the world's agricultural base. (It does seem like that is the way they view it.)

Forbey

 

[Mayden]

I was just reading a thread on Quakers being illegal in California.

First question, are Amish illegal, too?

OK, bad joke ... but seriously, can "pet" birds be neutered, and if they are can a certificate be provided to a state that might result in the bird being allowed in?

Would the process of neutering a bird be any more hazardous that surgical sexing?

Just a thought for the sake of conversation.

Skittles is a surgically sexed male; however, he will most likely never be paired with another for the sake of breeding. While that is good for me, it most likely would not appease a government bent on preventing the possible anhialation of the world's agricultural base. (It does seem like that is the way they view it.)

Forbey

I too have considered a similar approach for immigrating to places such as New Zealand/Australia. We can't immigrate with Merlin as obviously they will not allow non native species to come into their country.

I have considered looking into it more thoroughly, but it again depends on the country/state rules etc.

Neutering parrots is possible, but the surgery itself is risky as their sex organs are near big blood vessels and major organs, one nick and the birdy is in serious trouble. Nicking a vessel isn't too likely because they use precision laser surgery - but it's still very risky.

There is also hormonal treatment (used on hens, not cocks) that is usually used on hens with chronic egg laying problems. This is usually done first before any spaying occurs on females because, again, the risk.

IF the surgery was less risky, then I'd definitely consider it. You'd have to get in touch with a decent AVIAN veterinary surgeon and also in touch with the state/country you're interested in to see where they stand on hormone treatments or neutering parrots because obviously they're worried about them escaping, breeding and becoming a greater pest or a problem for other native birds.

If the country/state okay'd that idea, then yeah, double check with your avian vet. Birds in a less than perfect condition are not ideal candidates and unless it's for health reasons they may not neuter. So you'd have to explain your reason behind wanting the surgery.

God that was a ramble.
It's possible - but usually only for health reasons.

 

[gemini84]

Hi mayden. Im just curious if you have seriously considered moving to Australia? The reason i ask as I am sure going through the right channels you should be able to bring merlin with you. He would need vet certification and to stay in quarantine for awhile but im almost certain you could bring him. We have a lot of exotic pet parrots over here and i know of a lady (through a fb group) that lives locally that if my memory serves me correct has a senegal.

 

[JadeC]

Quakers are illegal in CA due to their nest building and agriculture destruction. I don't think getting him neutered would help. Dogs still hump after they've been neutered so I'm assuming a parrot would still try to build a nest. I don't agree with the law, but that's why it's in effect.

 

[MonicaMc]

gemini, it is illegal to import or export parrots through Australia and New Zealand - except for species that are already there prior to the band and birds between Australia and New Zealand.

To get any other species in or out, you'd probably have to go through *very* strict protocols that would be very expensive, time consuming (think in terms of months, if not years!) and still have no guarantee of getting a bird through. In short, it's often not easy and not recommended.


Here's a page I found about importing parrots into Australia. Under "Country" [of origin], it states *ONLY* New Zealand...
http://www.aqis.gov.au/icon32/asp/e...ry=Go+to+full+text&intSearch=1&LogSessionID=0

Here's a story about a couple who thought they could bring their birds along.
Flying Over The Rainbow - Immigrating with Parrots

Found a "Importation of psittacine birds into Australia" pdf file that I don't feel like reading over atm...
http://www.daff.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/12046/99-090a.pdf


Caiques, macaws, african greys, nandays, sun conures, jendays, blue throated conures, green cheek conures, white eared conures and a few other species are also available in Australia, and none of these are native species! Neither are indian ringnecks or alexandrines, for that matter!



The hormone treatment aka hormone shots is lupron, and it is used both on male and female parrots. It has a 50/50 chance of working, and if it works at first, may not work later on. Treatments can be very expensive, too.


Otherwise, I agree with what Mayden has said about neutering/spaying a parrot. I believe it is only the females that avian vets are willing to spay, and as stated, often for health reasons. Laying too many eggs, laying too large of eggs, producing too many (small) eggs but not laying them, or for some other reason.

Parrots aren't neutered as easily as cats or dogs - ParrotChronicles Ask a Vet

 

[U2gal]

Birds cannot be neutered or spayed safely. The ovaries and testes lies on a vessel to the main vein (not aorta) and they can bleed to death.

 

[mtdoramike]

If I had to do any of these things to have the ability to bring my birds along with me, I would elect to re-home them instead. I would also concern myself with finding a LEGAL bird to adopt or own that was allowed in the area that I reside in.

 

[Mayden]

If I had to do any of these things to have the ability to bring my birds along with me, I would elect to re-home them instead. I would also concern myself with finding a LEGAL bird to adopt or own that was allowed in the area that I reside in.

It's quite simple for us; we can't take Merlin, so we won't go!
Expecting us to rehome him for immigration is like asking a parent to put their child up for adoption because they want to move countries!

If we're dead set on moving, we'll wait until Merlin (and the others) pass away, or until the law changes in regards to vet certs, etc. Until then we'll just have to stay put.

Merlin's more like my right arm now, beautiful country or not, I like my right arm a lot more!

My bad about the hormonal treatment. I've looked into it and it only ever seemed to be used on hens with egg-style conditions. I retract my hen only statement! But the same still applies that once the shots are no longer given - the bird goes back to 'normal' and still poses a risk for the country/state/etc if they escape and so can't have their meds.

Surgical desexing would be the only fool-proof way I believe but it is risky business and not something vet's take lightly. So you can beg and plead with them all you want, unless it's for health reasons they are VERY VERY unlikely to do it.

 

[forbey]

Thanks, all for the information. I have no intentions of moving out of my town, never mind to another state or country. I would also be more inclined to neuter my children than I would Skittles. (both my dogs are rescues, so they were neutered before I got them.)

I was simply curious about the possibilities and the available information.

Thanks,

Forbey