[Cindy215]

I'm not sure I followed that whole discussion but i'ts a big debate among people. It's really two issues the birds learning things and imprinting to people.

There are definite differences in babies (Psittacines) who are pulled young no longer spending time with their older families. They are not genetically hardwired to know how to do things alone they are flock/prey animals. So then if you pull them young (removed from the flock) they aren't really being taught things by birds. Like bathing, grooming, food, sense of security, sleeping, even flying. Modeling their own kind. From parents, siblings etc.

Dysfunctions in those areas are now seen as routine but if the birds were with their own kind longer we wouldnt see as much of it. Some Greys and Macaws are with their wild families even up to a year and occasionally fed by them that long, it's said as a nurture.

Imprinting - The genesis of pulling babies a couple decades ago was to imprint them asap on the human. Meaning they see the human face "first" and don't understand they are different. The theory was they would always try to act like a human and fit in and not crave birds. Everyone either forgot or didnt know the downside to this. Not learning things and not liking to be alone all the time. (in the case of a single pet).

As time passed we realized that the theory was convoluted. Since they have been birds for millions of years, are and will always be an undomesticated animal (not meaning "tame) UNTIL the 1000th generation in captivity.

Because you can end up with a bird who is genetically hardwired to be with other birds 24/7 (some more than other like Toos versus Amazons who aren't as "flocky")....and who really doesnt know exactly how to be a bird (living alone) and certainly cant be a human either.

That's also why some people still incubate eggs to imprint them on the human and of course to free up the parents to breed.

So now IMO, people are trying to strike a balance. Like bb100 said. I'm not a breeder and I'm sure it's challenging now to make these decisions.