cockatiel band leg

Question
Hello, we've just recently acquired a cockatiel, of whom the owner claimed it to be the age of 2 and a half. However, I've just recently noticed the inscription on the band leg and it says: CAN 408 98 (98 being inscribed sideways). I read a couple of places online that the sideway inscription is the year of birth, and this has me confused.. does that mean that our cockatiel is actually 11 years old, as opposed to two? and if so, are there any special measures we must take according to the age?
Thank you

Huda

Answer
No, the bands are a mystery to many people, including other breeders, but chances are pretty good that this is NOT the year of hatching.  

It could very well be the year the band was issued and since they are often sold in batches of 25, 50, even into the 100's, the breeder may still be using bands issued by the band manufacturer ten years ago.   Or perhaps they bought bands from another breeder that went out of business.  

Deciphering bands should be easier eventually as new guidelines and laws are passed, but right now the best option you have for figuring the band out is to ask the breeder what on earth their filing system is.