As you all know I have been helping the co ordinator in charge of the birds in the Cumberland County SPCA. I just received the following update from the veterinarian's office who has tested the birds......it isn't good. 17 out of the 23 birds have tested positive for PBFD. This is so hard to believe, especially in light of the fact that these birds are georgeous! They are all eating wonderfully and their weights are good. Hopefully by alleviating undo stress, or at least trying to keep it at a barer minimum, this disease will stay dormant. In accordance with the SPCA's plans, they will eventually be adopted out to qualified homes who have no other birds in the household.
Hopefully this puts any and all rumors to rest regarding these particular birds.

Does anyone know where the bird came from that made the others sick?

That is sad news that so many tested positive. But even if they do adopt them out to homes with no other birds it will be hard for the family to know they can never bring another bird into the household without risking the lives of other birds, once you have one bird it's hard to resist another.

If they test positive and have no visable signs and someone adopts them is there a posibility that they can spread the disease to other birds in other households when the people visit?

Thanks pat I hope they get great homes they deserve it

Will these birds be tested again in 90 days?

Very sad news. Very sad.

IMO whether or not he purchased a bird with PBFD, or brought it into the home himself is irrelevant (I'm sure this statement has ruffled a few feathers) what is important is dealing with the situation, retesting when necessary and eventually giving each and every bird love, security and happiness in it's "forever" home. The SPCA will make sure that everyone adopting one or more of these birds will be made well aware of the situation and advised what to look for in the event the disease manifests itself.

what you say is true. those birds deserve a loving home regardless. its just hard to ignore the case that his birds were all healthy before he brought home one that was sick because an uncaring store took advantage of his frame of mind. they just kept on selling him birds because he had the money. this will end up being closed too. you have a good heart though patsnest. I hope someone will love those birds. theres a human side to this too that cant be swept under the rug, and thats the broken heart and mental status of the poor guy who has to live with all of this. is anyone helping him to recover?

patsnest, maybe you can help me understand how this worked. If the family called the officials and they confiscated the birds...what was the basis of this?

Were they in good conditions? If you can say without disparraging the guy.

The reason I want to know is there could be and are MANY multiple bird households/breeders/collectors/hoarders/bird farms (no offense birdfarm lol) etc....many could have diseases or exposures or high titers of something etc...

Don't you have to be in violation of "something" to get confiscated then subsequently tested? (depending on the laws in your jurisdiction)

Or did they confiscate based on a judgement of impairment of the guy? If he lives alone it hardly seems legal.

If he was providing good care (albeit no testing like MANY), what's the difference between them living with HIM and living with total strangers. What's to guarantee that the new adoptors are ever going to vet those birds etc? Or rehome or even RESELL for goodness sakes?

Do you know how this works in New Jersey?

First let me say that these birds were NOT confiscated by the SPCA - they were willingly surrendered. Furthermore, I am not going to speculate on where he purchased his birds, who called the SPCA nor on his mental state of mind. The parties involved here know who they are and must live with their actions. The SPCA is handling the situation superbly and they will stay viligant on the welfare of these birds once they are adopted out. The bottem line here is the welfare of these birds and I will continue to help the SPCA in any way that I can to assure that each and every one of them find love, security and happiness in it's "forever" home.