Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 2/5/2007

Question
I would like to know if it is  really necessary to remove the chicks, and hand feed until they are weaned at 5-6 weeks?  If the parents are given the proper nutrition cannot they successfully raise, and feed until weaned? It seems the chicks are removed and hand-fed purely so that they will be hand-tamed as well.  I would think if these birds raise their own young in the wild that they would succeed if caged birds as well?  With all the problems that can arise with attempting to hand-feed it actually seems safer to let the parents take care of their own young?

Answer
Hi, Shari.  Thanks for posting!

Domestic parrots can raise and wean their own chicks.  However, the babies won't be tame.  If a person wants birds to be tame and handleable, the babies need to be handfed.  This is especially important with lovebirds because lovebirds tend to be very nippy and often times just plain nasty.  If parrot babies aren't handfed and allowed to imprint on humans when they are very young, they won't be tame.  If a person wants untame birds, then allow the parents to raise their babies.  However, if one doesn't want a house full of untame parrots, the babies need to imprint on humans so they will be tame enough to be nice pet birds.  Depends on what each individual wants to do with the offspring of their birds.  Someone not knowledgeable about breeding, raising chicks, etc., shouldn't allow their birds to breed in the first place.

Chrys