Insurance

[finchbreeder]

Gumtree W.A. had a warning about a conman/thief. Who would buy birds with big denomination notes and when you go in to get change he nicks some more that he has not and could not buy.
LML

[toothlessjaws]

i know bird theft is a massive problem, especially with conspicuous and expensive parrots - but is it particularly prevalent with finches? have many people had birds stolen
and if so, what type? do they take large numbers of common birds? just rarer, pricier species?

[E Orix]

Over the years they have broken into my place at least 3 times,the latest was several weeks ago when about $6000 of birds went.
Police take notes but rarely do the birds turn up which means that some people just don't care if they buy stock which is stolen.
If we had no buyers then there wouldn't be any thefts.All you can do is make it very very hard for them to get access.
Most times its people who visit then opening their mouths to the wrong people.At least I hope thats what happens.
Interesting point,if police catch the people with the birds they can only charge them but cannot hold them even if they stole $100,000
worth of birds. But if they took a $10 carry box and $20 worth of birds or even a cardboard box then the police can charge them and hold them.Not that they catch many.

[thehammer]

Most times its people who visit then opening their mouths to the wrong people.

It is that and also some owners with big mouths who tell the wrong people.

One guy I knew would never sell birds from his own property. He would meet them at mutually convenient place.

Also I know of others who have quite an expensive collection and part of the reason they have never had birds stolen is that they don’t advertise any birds for sale, only deal with like people and sell excess off to shops. It can also help if you have a residence that is difficult to find.

[mickw]

Thanks folks, I knew the dog suggestion was coming.

Thanks Myzo this is exactly the info I'm after ..........The premiums may rule many of us out but I'll give Wawrick a call and report back...........Sent a shiver down my spine hearing about my mate's theft, gotta at least check it out

[arthur]

We've been down the 'security' path before but always worth a reminder to the old harder heads and a warning to the newbies

Insurance companies are viable only when income (premiums) are greater than outgo (payouts) . . so the reality is that if you are of sufficient means you are better off acting as your own insurer

Many years ago I inquired about insurance, and the only policy that didn't cost an arm and a leg, was against fire. This would have involved paying premiums on a virtually non-existent risk . . the 'bread and butter' of insurers

Will be interesting if terms and prices can be posted here . . but don't expect too many bargains

PS Your neighborhood kids (young and not so young) can also be a problem . . so security can be as simple as a strong lock . . that is kept LOCKED

[finchbreeder]

And unless the birds have metal rings or DNA records the oness (spelling) is on you to prove the bird/s located (if it/they ever are) is/are yours.
LML

[thehammer]

PS Your neighborhood kids (young and not so young) can also be a problem . . so security can be as simple as a strong lock . . that is kept LOCKED

Kids are good at letting birds out from my experience so locks will stop that. They used to steal bird wire as well in my area.

Working on a site once and they had a small aviary next door with lovebirds, one day the owners come over accusing us of stealing or letting them all out, it was likely some kids that must have come in when nobody was around– we didn’t see it happen but we got the blame.

I still don’t understand people who have birds worth $2000+ - advertise their cheaper birds that may only be worth $25 each and happily let an unknown buyer onto their property who then see how extensive and valuable the rest of the seller’s collection is.

[thehammer]

And unless the birds have metal rings or DNA records the oness (spelling) is on you to prove the bird/s located (if it/they ever are) is/are yours.
LML

DNA records would be effective if the birds could be located.

To me metal rings and Micro chipping would be ineffective as both can be removed.

[Myzomela]

Removing a properly implanted microchip is a surgical procedure if it was implanted properly in the first place. Unlike dogs and cats, birds are usually microchipped in the muscle.
Yes it can be done but is not easy, requires anaesthesia and could be very messy.

Other security measures include video surveillance and infrared beams. These should be positioned so that they are not obvious to the casual observer.
I know it sounds more and more complicated but with expensive collections these measures are well and truly worthwhile.