When shopping for a baby parrot, it’s not uncommon for you to be given the option to purchase an unweaned baby so you can finish the hand feeding. The seller may claim that a stronger bond will be formed with the bird this way, and may even offer you a break on the price. Sometimes, the younger the baby, the better the discount. It’s tempting. Watching a baby parrot grow and flourish under your care is surely satisfying and can add a special dimension to the relationship–when all goes well. But what if it doesn’t? Is this a chance you’re willing to take when the health and perhaps the life of the bird is at stake? I used to think that hand feeding your own parrot wasn’t a bad idea. Now I’m against it in most circumstances. Having talked to too many people that would have been better off had they waited, I’m convinced the risks far outweigh the benefits.

As far as the hand feeding procedure goes, it’s not that hard to learn. You mix the formula to the right consistency and temperature, offer it to the baby in a spoon or syringe and he’s supposed to do the rest. Then you wait a while and do it all again. Sounds simple enough. Lots of people with parrots also have kids, and probably feel confident in their ability to feed an infant, even if the infant happens to have feathers. But every year, baby parrots suffer from crop burns, stunting, infections and other serious problems because of technical mistakes.

Whether it’s too hot, too cold, too thick, or too runny, if the formula’s not just right, things can go wrong. A baby with a strong feeding response can gobble up food that’s way too hot and not even realize he’s burned. Or he may aspirate on food that’s too runny. Feeding a baby parrot is different from feeding a baby person, and it’s more complicated than just preparing the formula correctly. Baby parrots often do things that tax the patience of the most experienced hand feeders. A novice usually won’t know how to handle the situation if it doesn’t go smoothly. Maybe help from the person you bought the bird from is just a phone call away, but what if it’s not? Besides, it’s not just about the food. You can prepare each meal perfectly, serve it with no difficulties whatsoever and still end up with major problems.

The hand feeding process isn’t merely a physical responsibility. You’re not just giving nutrition to a growing parrot’s body. You’re also nurturing a developing mind. You’re giving comfort, security and affection to an animal that is completely out of his natural element. He’s looking to you to teach him everything. But he’s a bird and you’re not. There’s going to be some confusion for him, and there are going to be challenges for you. To raise a well-adjusted, well-socialized parrot is a balancing act of providing attention and fostering independence, of environmental stimulation and quiet time, of limitations and permission. Good experienced hand feeders are more likely to know how to perform this balancing act. They’re also more likely to spot trouble and be able to handle it. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you won’t always know when something’s wrong or what to do about it. As your baby weans, the balance is even more important. Mess up the weaning process, and you’ll have to call someone like me even though your bird’s only a baby.

So why take these risks in the first place and gamble with your parrot’s future? To get your bird cheaper? Ugh! Not cool. Don’t support someone who discounts unweaned babies. Save up a bit longer and find someone with more respect for birds and for you. What about the idea that your bird will love you more? It’s a popular myth, but that’s all it is. A baby parrot is capable of forming multiple bonds regardless of who hand fed him, so don’t worry about that. Be patient. Find a quality breeder, pet store or hand feeder and let them raise the baby right. Let them keep him for you until he’s ready. He will be worth the wait.

Written By Parrot Behavior Specialist: Kim Bear