Association of Avian Veterinarians

Florida Aviary and Caged Bird Improvement PlanAuthor(s): Donna VickersSource: AAV Today, Vol. 1, No. 2 (Spring, 1987), p. 66Published by: Association of Avian VeterinariansStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/30134377 .

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Florida Aviary and Caged Bird Improvement Plan A group of cage bird breeders in the West Palm

Beach, Florida area has organized the Florida Aviary and Caged Bird Improvement Plan (FACBIP). Patterned in part after the Maryland Caged Bird Improvement Plan, the members meet monthly to discuss their commitment to raising the standards of aviculture and to schedule evaluation tours of each other's aviaries. The immediate goals are to involve more people in a critical assessment of their own aviary management so that birds can be bought/sold/traded among members with greater as- surance. The group is also committed to raising the level of knowledge of the bird-buying public.

During this developmental stage, membership is limited to the 17 charter members until the protocol is well-established, then membership will be open to all in- terested parties. Prospective members will be able to at- tend a single meeting as a guest and can then choose to participate or not. One may qualify for membership following an aviary evaluation (See Aviary Standards Evaluation Form) for a minimum of 50% of the total points and a commitment to improve to the 65%W level

within 90 days. Of 7 charter member aviaries that have been evaluated thus far, the average score is 82 out of a possible current total of 97 points. Additional criteria will be added by a separate committee.

All commonly bred species from macaws to finches are represented in the aviaries of FACBIP members. The membership fee is $10 per year.

The primary advantages thus far have been the sense of comradeship and sharing of information that has ad- vanced the knowledge of all concerned. Members are cur- rently appraising the variety of pelleted diets available on the market. Disposable boots are being purchased by the organization for aviary evaluation teams to help prevent the transmission of potential diseases. Long term goals include certification of disease-free aviaries.

Aviculturists interested in starting a self-policing program in their own state, or Florida bird clubs in- terested in participating in this program are invited to contact me.

- Donna Vickers, President FACBIP, 2117 W. Palma Circle, West Palm Beach, Florida 33415

AVIARY STANDARDS EVALUATION FORM

LOCATION NAME: PHONE: ARRIVAL TIME:

ADDRESS: OWNERS: DEPARTURE TIME:

INSPECTOR: DATE: MILEAGE:

I SANITATION III HANDFEEDINGIBABY FACILITIES

A. Cage/Flight general cleanliness A. Sterilization of utensils B. Food/Water receptacle cleanliness B. Formula storage C. Removal of excreta & spent seed C. General cleanliness of housing D. General aviary cleanliness E. Feed storage precludes contamination COMMENTS:

COMMENTS: IV RECORD KEEPING

II HOUSING A. Complete information on purchases B. Breeding and banding records

A. Cage/Flight size appropriate to species C. Hatch dates B. Density of birds appropriate to species D. Death dates C. Study construction E. Veterinary records D. Construction precludes escape F. Quarantine records E. Construction permits easy cleaning G. State Wildlife Permit F. Rodent/Pest control G. Proper isolation & holding facilities COMMENTS: H. General condition of birds

COMMENTS: RATING SCALE: Excellent 4; Good 3; Fair 2; Poor 1; Fail 0 50% Total Score required to Qualify - 90 days to Reinspect

TOTAL SCORE

66 AAV TODAY

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