How much would you pay for a Runner?

[chickenlicken]

I want this little guy for inside, not breeding or in the aviary, but because he's at a pet shop the price is just crazy. He's cute and I know that his chances of ending up in a happy home aren't high due to his condition and the fact he is trying to be sold at the same price as the 'healthy' birds. Am I wrong to try and haggle for him at the lowest price? And if not, what should I offer?

[Hezz]

Hi CL, Personally I wouldn't go out specially to buy a runner; I would be looking for a flier, but also if I bred a runner (I am not a breeder) I wouldn't sell it off to a pet store; I would try to find a good home for it myself. It is special needs and shouldn't have been dumped in the classroom with the gifted, in my opinion. If you want it, only you can answer that question I feel.

[budgiefriend]

I hope you will be able to take the bird. You should be able to get him for nothing because you will give him a good home. You would think that the pet store people would know that the bird has special needs and would be happy to find him a good home.

[barrieshutt]

The answer is nothing , my runners are housed in a friends large aviary .................they are capable of carrying and passing the virus on to others

[Rachael Kellett]

I agree with Barrie, I wouldn't buy him. I too feel the need to take in every waif and stray budgie I see, any with toes missing, a bit tatty, or even when they look completely healthy lol. I am learning to restrain myself. If you truly want another budgie then look for a breeder in your area, most likely someone on here can help

[milliej]

If you're a bit cheeky they may just give it to you! I mean who's going to buy a bird who can't fly except someone like yourself who feels sorry for it, it's a disgrace that it's up for sale in a shop! Perhaps they don't realize... the knowledge you have from this website which tells us that 'runners' are not good for breeding or aviaries and shouldn't be for sale as they could pass their genes onto other birds?
I mean listen to me and I know squat all about budgies really but hey I sounded quite knowledgeable there don't you think

[ppvallhunds]

All mine have been free from the breeder of the ones at work as he was going to take them home and cull them.
Does the shop actualy know there is something wrong with it? (a non exotic vet mine saw once didnt even know what french moult was, let a lone beak and feather disease and asked me if its treated with sopt on) If you do realy want it inform them of the birds condition and ask if they are selling the defective and possible contagious bird for full price or are they trying to find it a home.

[rachel]

I wouldn't pay for a 'runner'. It is a bird with an illness. I think you'd be better off buying a healthy bird from a breeder.