Lovebird Handfeeding

[Andie]

Hi. I have a question about handfeeding lovebirds.

The pet shop where I work is going to start breeding our own lovebirds. Just 1 or two pairs. We want to do this because the ones we get from 'breeders' are just not good enough! They are not well socialised at all and usually bite and run away when we get them. They also don't like vegies. This way we can vouch for them and also have them eating veggies.

The bird manager is a very very experienced breeder of all kinds of birds from cockatoos, small parrots to kiwi birds!! I have no doubt that he will do a fantastic job with breeding and raising them.

What I want to know is are they a good first bird for me to learn to feed on? I have never done it before. My colleague will be teaching me how and the birds will be 4 1/2 to 5 weeks of age when we start feeding. I will have to do the feeding by myself one day a week when it is the bird man's day off but I can call him anytime if I need to.

Also after links because I want to be prepared myself. I want to read all about it!

I am super excited!

[ThreeX]

Not flaming or trolling here - but.. What's the matter with people? When you buy an animal it's not a car you just turn the key and it will run smooth or a wind-up toy.
If you don't have the time or can't be @rsed to put in some moderate effort in winning a chicks confidence i'd stick my neck out and say you're not that well suited bird (or pet) owner.
That said i have hand-fed parrotlets, lovebirds (personata) CAG, Senegal and Pionus but that was out of necessity, not for the purpose of getting a velcro, human imprinted bird.

[Andie]

Oops this has not gone well...

Originally Posted by ThreeX

When you buy an animal it's not a car you just turn the key and it will run smooth or a wind-up toy.

I totally agree with that. And we are always very sure to explain that to people and make sure they understand about letting the birds settle in and get used to their new home in their own time.

Unfortunately the birds which we are available where I live are supposedly handraised and they are not socialised and biting. They are not even finger tame. I think it is reasonable for people to want a bird that does not hate them when they take it home. We feel that we could do better by the birds by raising them in a happy environment with the purpose that they will enjoy being companions rather than actually afraid of everyone. Not a velcro bird but not running for the hills.

Also just thought I would clarify (because I was not sure from your reply) that this is not me for myself trying to get a good pet. I have a lovebird and she is amazing. This would be a small family run pet store breeding very small scale.

Also I forget that my location isn't in my header but I am in Aust. and there are very few small birds for adoption here so we do not feel that we are doing another bird out of a forever home.

[ThreeX]

It's ok "out in the open" At least for now :)
I think people ought to be aware that parrots are not domesticated animals like cats and dogs and should not be expected to love their new owner unconditionally like a kitten or puppy (come to think about it they can be quite testy too with their awl teeth and claws :p)
The problem with handfeeding away from the birds parents is that in the long run it messes with their psyche IMO they end up confused as to what/who they are and lack imprinting from their real parents as to how to act and react in situations making them phobic pluckers/biters/screamers in a worst case scenario.
Now i don't put myself on a pedestal since i own handfed birds myself but i try to make up for that by keeping them in couples, thereby minimizing their "need" so to speak for me. I have not observed any ill effects from doing so either (i mean they are not shying away from me or anything when they're out)
Again i think people/potential bird buyers/owners should adjust to the fact that birds are not shake 'n' bake! I tamed a Caique once (last years chick, spent a year with parents) He had to be caught in a net and it took 10 days sitting with hand in cage offering an almond until the arm turned into a log until he finally grabbed the almond (and run off to the other end of the perch to eat it) but still it was the first major step :)
In the end (i feel) that earned trust as opposed to forced dependancy is THE way to go.
And every prospective parrot owner should at least have that explained to them..

[Andie]

That was so fast to reply!
Now that you have mentioned it, that makes me remember that the budgies we sell are handtamed not handraised. They are parent raised but the girl who breeds them plays with the babies daily. They come to us mostly finger tame and seem to take (on average) 1 week to settle into their new homes. More time to play with the babies and less washing up can not be a bad thing!!!

Any others out there with experience raising small birds (esp. Lovies) with this method rather than handfeeding?

Do you have any links to recommend about this method, ThreeX?

[ThreeX]

None that spring to mind immediately, sorry.
My opinion is actually more of a conclusion woven together by numerous articles and after talking to people in the know, all pointing unanimously to the same conclusion.
Btw, people can't expect a baby parrot not to bite! I don't think i have come across a single chick that wasn't nippy. I also haven't come across one single human baby who didn't put everything in their mouth ; )

Here's a clutch of personata badly plucked by their parents at around 2-3 weeks (reason i pulled them for handfeeding)

YouTube - baby-playing