For the record, I would have been happy to take a look at any birds people thought were sick, though I don't know what authority I would have- it's all up to the Show Board. I am generally inclined to err on the side of caution and have made many a child cry when I would not allow her animal into the fair. I used to have a black araucana- lovely bird- that was always sneezing. I isolated her time after time, treated her with various antibiotics. She had no other signs at all. I finally figured out that "sneeze" was just her sound. She would do it over and over whenever she saw me. I only showed her once, was questioned by people about the "sneeze" and decided I could never show her again- not worth making people worry. I have a similar problem with my bearded white Polish. At home, they live with their crests taped up, but, of course, at the show I let their crests down. Unfortunately, these birds are so very heavily crested and bearded that they are completely blind. (You can argue about how cruel it is to select for an animal like this- but that's a separate discussion.) Anyway, at every show, they shake their heads like a girl with her bangs in her eyes, trying to see the world, and I never fail to get people asking about mites or neurological problems. I continue to show these, as the explanation satisfies people once they understand- and I LOVE them- gorgeous creatures. Anyway, what I'm getting at is that it may take a good physical exam to tell if a bird is truly ill or has some other defect so, when in doubt, it is better to excuse that bird and make one person mad then risk the health of all the other birds, not to mention their owners' peace of mind.
It was about $200 for this last show just for my hotel and gas....
