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Originally Posted by The Outlaw
Welcome to Birdboard.
I'm gonna tell you exactly what I think, so please understand that its because of a recent series of events that I'm gonna pull no punches. Handfeeding a baby macaw is NOT for amateurs. There are way too many variables and it only takes one bad shot down the wrong pipe and you will have killed that baby. They don't sit still, the jump up and down and can pack quite a wallop when they start pumping.
A good breeder would NEVER sell you an unweaned baby. They care too much about that bird and want to place it in the BEST and SAFEST environment they can possibly find. A BAD breeder will happily take your money and leave you twisting in the wind when things go to hell.
Consider the following scenarios:
The baby your describe will require handfeedings round the clock for many months. Greenwings, especially, take longer to feed out. It may be as long as 8 or 9 months before they are satisfied to eat on their own.
The risk of bacterial infection is quite high. Either due to incorrect temperatures, bad formula, improper handling, poor hygiene, etc.
You will need to weigh this baby daily and know what to look for should symptoms develop that could prove fatal. Do you have access to nystatin, Diflucan, Baytril, etc?
Do you have a brooder? Can you consistantly maintain the proper temps round the clock?
Do you know how to safely fledge a bird? Trim wings and nails? Pull broken blood feathers?
Is your home truly birdsafe? Do you use scented candles, cleaning products that emit toxic fumes, use Teflon products, smoke, have dogs and cats?
How close is a certified avian vet? How about a second vet should the first one be unreachable?
Can you set aside AT LEAST $2000 more in the event of medical crisis?
If you cannot provide for everything listed here, then you are not qualified or ready to take on an unweaned baby macaw. However, if you decide to let a breeder do his job and present you with a baby ready to happily join your family for the rest of your life, then congratulations for being unselfish enough to deserve a sweet baby macaw. The reason that healthy baby birds cost more than less desirable birds is because some dedicated and caring breeder took the time out of his life to properly raise that baby. If it costs you $500 more, that is frankly, cheap. Would you work for $3.50 and hour? Round the clock?
I have 10 birds, 5 of which are macaws. I love them more than I can possibly set down in writing. Seeing people take shortcuts always makes me nervous. It ALWAYS winds up biting them in the butt. And its very hard on the bird.
Here's how I look at it: if you're prepared to take the family's housepayment money and roll the dice at Vegas, then and ONLY then should you consider taking in an unweaned baby bird.
THE OUTLAW
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Hello and thank you for responding. I actually think I answered some of your questions in my first post but let me see if I can address them one by one.
First of all, I will be getting a B&G not a GW, although I don't think that makes much difference in my ability to care for the baby. I am aware that babies require round the clock care. I have raised two human babies as well as a dog and cat baby. I have not raised a bird baby before, which is why I am looking for advise and guidance. I am aware it is going to be vastly different, but getting up to feed and care for an infant is something I am familiar with.
I DO have the funds to buy the nessasary items for a baby macaw. I do NOT have any equiptment yet, because I am looking for some experienced advise on what the best brands, types, etc are. I am perfectly prepared to buy all the things I need to care for it properly.
The home is bird safe other than the cats and dogs. I don't believe this will be too much of an issue because they are all accustomed to living with a bird, and their access to the baby will certainly be non existant. All my animals are crate trained, crated at night and when I leave home and as I understand I must have the baby with me at all times, they will not be allowed near it.
Actually I can trim wings. I have trimmed them for both my dad's deceased GW and my cockatiel. I have pulled one bloodfeather, and while I found the task most unpleasant, I could do it again if I had to. I have not trimmed nails.
The avian vet we will use is 45 minutes away. There are two of them, but should both be unreachable for some reason, The next one is about four hours away.
And once again, the money it cost to buy a bird is not the issue here for us. I WANT a baby. I WANT to raise it. And as for being an amateur...not trying to be rude, but EVERYONE has a first time, there for experts were once amateurs too.
I appreciate your opinion, truely. I understand why you try to discourage people who might not know what they are getting into. But I do understand what I am about to do. I was just hoping for some guidance from someone who HAD done it before. I quite understand if no one on the board wants to advise me but it won't change my desicion.
I hope you don't take this post the wrong way because I mean it with the utmost respect for someone who obivously has some experience.
Thanks.