My position on handfeeding and why

[The Outlaw]

I have been getting mail about my being "mean" to those people interested in handfeeding baby birds without hands on instruction from a qualified handfeeder/breeder. Over and over again, they feel that I've personally attacked them without even knowing their position or abilities.

I have to defend myself, so please hear me out. I heard YOU out. I consider myself a true bird lover: an advocate for the safe and long term relationships between bird lovers and companion pets. Saying that means that I advocate the BEST conditions. I sometimes have to tolerate inadequacies, but I certainly can't promote them. I know how quickly things can go wrong and when you're vetting a sick bird for anything serious, believe me, you are always talking THOUSANDS of dollars. Most people cannot afford that and sooner or later the bird dies.

It's not a moral judgment by any means. But it does show a lack of self control and maturity to simply react to every needy bird you see. You must understand that there are others more qualified to meet those special needs of baby birds, sick birds, handicapped birds and abused and neglected ones. If you aren't qualified to "fix" them, simply GET qualified. Contact breeders and ask to help. I'm certain that many would relish someone to relieve them from time to time, clean cages, help with medicating and grooming. You have to understand that by taking on a project you know little or nothing about, you actually may interfere with a better situation for the bird in question.

I don't understand why people would even consider putting a fragile baby bird at risk just for the novelty of feeding them. It only takes one feeding of bad formula, improperly heated formula, aspiration, failure to detect yeast or other disease processes, to kill a baby bird. What have you then proved?

The internet is an invaluable resource for many things, but experience and hands on instruction is better when it comes to learning the subtleties of handfeeding. Please, remove your ego and your sense of "don't tell me what I can or can't do" from the equation and think first and foremost about the health and safety of these precious packages.

Just as everyone gets lucky from time to time, bad luck comes along too. And most people can't afford the monetary or emotional repercussions of bad luck.

Remember, first and foremost, do no harm. That's the first rule of medicine and it SHOULD be the first rule of bird owning.

Thanks for hearing me out. That's really all I ever asked. I was one of the lucky ones who did successfully finish weaning a baby bird. It was supposed to be fully weaned when it arrived. It was not. I lived and learned. I'm simply trying to spare the tears and carnage.

THE OUTLAW

[AmandaB]

Well said Nancy. I agree wholeheartedly.

[dyeman]

I agree and I have only been here about 5 months, but I wouldn't think anyone that knows you well from your posts would ever consider you "mean". I think you are always trying to be helpful and just sometimes when a person's desires aren't the best, the truth hurts.

[LivingFiction]

I had to give Feo a syringe or five when he got home. Every time was very stressful. I'm glad that's all I had to do. I wouldn't presume to take him from a chick to weaning on my own.

[Doubleyolk]

Great post Nancy and I hope people who would consider hand feeding will read it first and not think it was a "Fun" thing to do.

[Tiki]

I totally agree. Actually, when I come to the States I plan on learning to handfeed. I don't think it's the sort of thing you can learn from a book or online, you need to be physically there with someone teaching you. And lucky for me, some of my best friends are VERY experienced handfeeders!

[bgmacaw]

After doing the hand feeding routine with our 2 monsters, I would not go down that path again. We were fantical about temps and methods, as mentioned before, I was unprepared for the powerful pumping action of the macaw. Spent a lot of time with formula covered birds. When we were at the store yesterday, Lori told me she overheard a couple that were looking at some greys. The woman said something to the effect of no, we want to get one with no feathers so we can hand feed it and it will bond to us better. People need to understand that the amount and quality of time you spend with the bird goes farther than the hand feeding.

[Imagemneye]

BRAVO Nancy! Very well said! As a LONG time Ex now(sorta) Breeder and Handfeeder(sometimes not by choice) I stand by YOU 100%. There are FAR to many things that can/and will go wrong ! The old addage"Better to be Safe then Sorry" goes a long way with this issue! You ---MEAN----HA-HA I rekon nobody has heard Me Rant yet(LOL)! Nancy-You just have a Heart bigger then the Great Outdoors,Cant find any fault with that! Luv ya! Bonnie

[DocT]

I have to agree with you Nancy, for anyone to want to hand feed a baby to have a closer bond is utterly crazy. Most people haven't a clue how to hand feed a baby bird ..much less all the problems that can result from doing it wrong. I worked as a vet tech for an avain vet for many years and was trained by the vet to do this. I can honestly say I never took pleasure in feeding time even knowing if a problem arose I had a vet right at hand.


Bonnie

[Emily]

Great advise!! You would never forgive yourself if you were responsible for a baby aspirating and dying.


Emily