Hand rearing can be either the best or the worst of approaches.

 

For a long time, it was impossible to replace parents. But recently, veterinary research has enabled us to produce high-quality feed.

 

The original goal in hand rearing was to replace parents who were poor nurturers and to breed birds that were threatened with extinction. Zoological parks were the pioneers of this new technique.

 

Then, the commercialisation of the feed helped amateur and professional breeders to rear by hand.

 

Hand rearing "produces" impregnated birds that accept contact with humankind. A breeder turns out more psychologically stable (well, most of the time!) birds, be they intended for breeding in captivity or for sale as pets.

 

A hand-reared parrot will undoubtedly make for a better pet for an individual owner: it will be kinder, calmer, not stressed. However, with an imported wild parrot, you run a great risk that it will be fearful and aggressive.

 

Some breeders, for totally unscientific reasons, do not rear to term and sell un-weaned birds (around 8 to 10 weeks), arguing that:

 

1 - "this baby will be more attached to you because you will have raised it" and

2 - this bird is less expensive!

 

In truth:

 

1 – The bird will certainly be less expensive but when you factor in the special feed sold with the bird and the time that the seller will not have spent in weaning it (not to mention the staff that he will not have to pay), the seller is clearly scoring a "deal".

 

2 – The bird will not be more attached because it will have only ever known humans and will become attached to you as to any other member of your family to whom it was sold, weaned or not.

 

Selling you an un-weaned bird and proposing that you finish the job shows great disrespect for the bird. You force the chick to take certain risks. Feeding by hand is an acquired technique; furthermore, each baby has its own rhythm and needs. Experience is required to respect these needs and ensure appropriate growth (the closest to what would have been achieved with its natural parents).

 

Consequently, the cost of a quality feed, the technique of hand-rearing, and the time devoted to weaning the bird explain and even justify why a hand-reared and weaned parrot is sold at a higher price.

 

This article reflects the reality of certain sale conditions and the risks that you run (there is no guarantee on the animal that you purchase). ASAP fields a high number of calls from distressed owners: babies who died after several days, refusal to eat, weight loss, etc. These calls are seasonal and correspond to the period of chick sales.

 

Keep a critical eye open and remember that:

 

A weaned parrot (that is, capable of feeding itself in a normal manner) will be at least 4 months old.

 

Lastly, even if a hand-reared parrot is more easily tamed, its behaviour will always be different from a "classic" pet such as a dog. You will have to invest time to understand it.

Hand-reared parrots and difficulties in impregnation (in French only) 

 

A hand-reared parrot without behavioural problems?  (in French only)

 

Hand-fed