Should YOU hand feed your baby parrot?

We receive many calls regarding people that want to purchase a baby parrot & they want to do the hand feeding themself.

I have very strong feelings regarding this subject.

First of all NOT all states even allow baby parrots to be sold without being totally weaned from the baby formula and eating on their own. NY is not one of the states that has this law.

I have been hand feeding baby parrots for over 17 years. I am also part of an orginization where there are breeders and affiliates that have been doing it even longer. We all are like minded about this subject and feel that unless you have extensive experience and know the issues that can go wrong and what to do about them if they occur, you should not be hand feeding the baby parrot.

There are many pet shops that will sell a baby parrot unweaned. It is untrue that the hand feeding itself creates a stonger bond. It is the handling of the baby that forms the bond.

I have had issues along the way that have occured and I have fed hundreds of babies. The problems that could occur are many ie; slow crop, crop statis, sour crop, aspiration, syringe rejection, burned crop etc etc.

Its important to know how to feed, how much to feed, how hot to feed the formula, how often to feed. What weight is a good weight...what to do when the baby refuses the formula and it isnt the appropriate time. How much weight should be lost when fledging/flying. What food should be offered during the weaning process. What is the best formula to use. Etc., Etc., ....

I believe it is wiser to let the experience person do the hand feeding until that baby is totally eating on its own. Visit the baby often and handle it so it becomes familiar with you. You will become part of that babies flock quickly. Thats all that really matters.

You do not have to do the hand feeding for it to bond with you. Some shops will tell you...its really easy and give you a quick lesson on hand feeding. Please let them complete the process of the hand feeding. Also ask them what they will be weaning the baby to as far as solid food. 

You want to have all the information and make sure they are doing everything correctly.

Its a huge investment and commitment...you need to have all the facts and know what are the correct practices vs old and out dated pratices.