Microchipping!?

Miss_kaos · Post by **Miss_kaos** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 9:27 am

hi all i just heard somewhere that u can have your bird microchipped... i wasnt sure whether this is true hence why this is being posted lol so can u really have your bird microchipped just as u would your dog? if so roughly how much would that cost.. as i am very interested in getting this,

all replys appreciated, thank u

julie · Post by **julie** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 6:10 pm

Apparently in Australia there isnt a register to keep track of the microchip numbers, so only really expensive birds are microchipped. Without having a database for the chips you would have to rely on using the chip only if the bird was stolen and you could find it because if a lost bird was found and the chip read it would only be numbers and no one could look up who owns it.

Melika · Post by **Melika** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 10:30 pm

But for those of us in the states reading this-

It's relatively simple to have your bird microchipped. The microchip is embedded in the breast muscle of your bird so it doesn't move around and get lost. The only stress I've seen in microchipped birds was from the actual injection, not from the rice grain sized thing in it's chest.

Here in FL, you have the right to ask the cops to come scan a bird if you think it was yours and stolen.
Also, if somehow a rescue organization or vet ends up seeing your bird, it's likely it will be scanned and they'll be able to contact you through the database.

It's important to keep your imformation updated.

I'm getting Hane chipped as soon as I have the money.

A dog here costs something like 35 dollars. But I expect an avian vet to cost a bit more. But worth it for my peace of mind. ^_^

Post by **Lauren** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:13 pm

Now, why doesn't Australia keep up with this? Thats a great idea. I guess theres always leg banding.

julie · Post by **julie** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:48 am

there is still the same problem with leg banding, there isn't a register that allows someone who has found a bird to have a look and see what the band means. It is good if someone finds your bird and you manage to find each other and you can say what the band says.Hopefully oneday there will be a register set up to allow for birds as there is for dogs,cats,livestock, reptiles ect.

Melika · Post by **Melika** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 12:17 am

The biggest problem with leg-banding here is that people who steal birds just cut the band off. Whereas microchips can't be removed without doing serious damage to the bird- except by a vet and that would be very very expensive... $$$ so it's not worth it to a thief.

Of course, the chances of someone buying an IRN on the cheap, from a 'shady' source, and then taking it to a vet for a checkup where it might be scanned are very slim, lol. But I'll take that chance. ^_^

The good thing about leg-bands is that it can help you find your bird if it's just lost. Around here people are pretty good about keeping their 'found' ads in the paper very vague. That way people can't call in pretending to be the real owners. If there were a legband, they would ask what colour and what writing (if any) were on it.