breeding macaws

[belinda1978]

i had an issue with my male eating their eggs so I removed him and we have one egg that shes sitting on and im hopeing that its fertile and does well and we have a baby soon. Does anyone know if its better to let the mother feed the baby for the first couple of weeks rather than pulling the baby immediatley? weve been trying to breed for 3 years and finally it happend i just dont want to do anything to put moma or baby in jeopardy and advice would be appreciated.

[Copper]

If she will feed the chick, let her. When she 'gurges for it, that food contains not only the stuff that helps the chick to digest better, but antibodies that it needs to grow up healthy.
I've heard of breeders that pull the eggs and incubate, then hand feed. The chick doesn't get to know it's a bird and while it does well, think of what happens when it gets old enough to go hormonal. It just doesn't understand, and can become aggressive, or fearful, or choose who it thinks will be it's human mate and defend that mate against others.
Think in terms of the bird, and you'll have your answer. They share our world, but we don't share theirs.

[belinda1978]

Thank you thats what i thought i was thinking in terms of any species that being fed by the mother is better for the young.

[Bonesy]

All breeds of birds are best left with the mother for at least 2 weeks as a general rule. As copper said, vital antibodies and micro bacteria in her regurgitated food that us humans cant recreate

It's also worth having a normally raised bird to put the chick in with once old enough so it learns correct preening and behaviour, like bathing and how to shell foods and pick things up right etc.

[belinda1978]

How do I go about getting a band for our baby? I know their supposed to be banded and how old do they have to be to put the band on? thanks everyone

[RMSacha]

Belinda,

Bands are put on at just a few days old...

[Joel]

Unless your state requires bands, I suggest not using them for two reasons: Annoying to the bird and can get caught on something = could severly injure your bird or even kill it.

[RMSacha]

Joel,

I agree but, there are a lot of people that still like them!

Many Hy owners want both, bands and chips—the band acts as a visual deterrent against theft and the chip is a secondary precaution if their birds are stolen.

[Bonesy]

Most Hy's look like they could fend off a thief in one nip and having heard one bawling before finding them would probably be easier than some macaws! "Follow the noise!"

I know they are valuable birds, though, and I know bands and chips are popular with them as well here. As you said, visual deterrents as well as chips being a secondary precaution, it makes it worthwhile if they go make a break with them.

[RMSacha]

Originally Posted by Bonesy

Most Hy's look like they could fend off a thief in one nip and having heard one bawling before finding them would probably be easier than some macaws! "Follow the noise!"

I know they are valuable birds, though, and I know bands and chips are popular with them as well here. As you said, visual deterrents as well as chips being a secondary precaution, it makes it worthwhile if they go make a break with them.

Hys are being stolen quite a bit in the U.S. It's becoming more frequent and I honestly think the thieves are not particularly looking to score a Hy but a bigger $ bird... Once they know what they've taken, they must think they've hit the jackpot!

It truly is unfortunate...there are a lot of other ways to make money... such as getting a job!