Unweaned babies
So you want to buy an unweaned baby. Well, unless you're an experienced handfeeder, we won't sell you one.
* Let's talk
about why.
Why people want to buy unweaned babies
Typically, people want to buy unweaned babies for one or more of the following reasons.
1. They have been told that an unweaned baby will bond better.
2. They have found that unweaned babies typically cost less.
3. They want the experience of caring for their baby and watching it grow.
Reason one is not true. Parrots can easily bond even as adults to a new owner, with kindness and patiance anything is possible.
Reason
two is true. Breeders typically sell unweaned babies at reduced prices.
And, a couple of hundred dollars may make a difference on a short-term
basis. However, remember that a typical parrot with proper care will be
with you many more years than most other pets. If you amortize the cost
difference of, for example, a weaned versus an unweaned African Grey
over 30 or 40 years, the savings are less than $10 per year. And, the
savings become even less significant when the cost of handfeeding formula and supplies such as brooder to keep unweaned baby in (300.00 to 600.00), the
increased potential for veterinary expenses, and the possibility of the
baby dying are considered.
In our opinion, reason three is the only valid reason for buying an unweaned baby. However, we feel that the risks to
the baby outweigh the potential benefits to the new owners.
Why breeders want to sell unweaned babies
So, why do breeders try to sell you unweaned babies? Although a few do believe it aids in bonding, many have other reasons
that are not so meritorious.
1. Less work. Selling a 6-week-old baby on 4 or 5 feedings can save a breeder 4 to 8 weeks of handfeeding.
2. Reduced risk. Babies can have problems and even die as a result of
handfeeding mistakes. And, because their immune systems are not well
developed, they are more susceptible to infections than are older
birds. The sooner a baby is out the door, the more likely the new owner
instead of the breeder will experience such a problem.
3. Reduced costs. Believe it or not, it does cost money to house and handfeed a baby. And, if a baby should get sick,
veterinarians can get expensive in a hurry.
4. Improved cash flow. Many breeders would prefer having the money in the bank, even if it is a little less money,
to waiting until a baby is weaned to receive full payment.
Why you shouldn't buy an unweaned baby
First,
we won't lie to you. Handfeeding a baby can be a rewarding experience.
If we didn't find taking care of babies and watching them grow
rewarding, we wouldn't breed parrots. However, handfeeding a baby also
can be a heartbreaking experience. And, it is more likely to be with a
novice than with an experienced handfeeder. Here are some reasons you
should not buy an unweaned baby.
1. Aspiration. When a baby gets food in its lungs it has aspirated.
Even relatively mild aspiration can cause pneumonia unless promptly
treated. Severe aspiration causes immediate death. Even experienced
handfeeders occasionally have babies that aspirate. However,
experienced handfeeders know how babies act when they aspirate and are
more likely to recognize the condition and start treatment before
pneumonia becomes a problem.
2. Crop burn. Crop burn occurs when the handfeeding formula is too hot.
Usually, the burned tissue must be excised and the crop sewn back
together. Severe crop burn can result in death. And, a difference of a
few degrees can make the difference in a burned crop and a healthy one.
3. Increased disease risk. As a baby develops, its immune system
develops. The younger the baby, the more susceptible it is. Bacterial
and yeast infections are not uncommon in neonates. And, some viruses
that are fatal in neonates are typically thrown off by more mature
birds.
4. Unrecognized disease. An experienced handfeeder is more likely to
spot a baby that is in trouble at an earlier stage. By the time a baby
is obviously sick, it is really sick. An overnight delay in starting
treatment may be fatal.
If you choose to ignore our advice
We hope we have convinced you that you shouldn't buy an unweaned baby. But, if you choose to ignore our advice, please:
1. Buy from a local breeder who is willing to train you in handfeeding. Ensure that the breeder is willing to provide
support if you experience problems after you take the baby home.
2. Buy a baby that is on two feedings at most. Younger babies are more likely to experience problems.
3. Find a good avian vet before you take the baby home. And, remember that an excellent dog-and-cat vet may not be
an excellent avian vet.
4. Buy the proper equipment, especially a gram scale. Often the first
signs we have that a baby is in trouble is weight loss or inconsistent
weight gain when the baby is on three or more feedings or excessive
weight loss while the baby is weaning.
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*Having fed one or two babies does not make you an experienced handfeeder.
Toxic to Birds
Here
is a list of chemicals and products that are dangerous for your bird,
this is not a full list, there is always something new a bird will find
to get into that can harm them. BIRD-PROOFING your home is a must in
good bird ownership.
Asbestos
Ammonia
Bleach/Chlorine
Carbon Monoxide
Cigarette Smoke
Diazanon
Dryer Sheets
Fabreeze
Flea Bombs/Collars
Topical Flea Killers (such as the drops you put on the dogs and cats)
Floor Polishes
Formaldehyde (new rugs and some materials need to be aired out before bringing them into the home as they are treated
with Formaldehyde; new furniture that has been treated with stain resistance)
Furniture and Rug Shampoo
Hair Dye and Hair Spray
House Paint (actually ANY kind of paint or varnish)
Kerosene
Matches
Moth Balls
Nail Polish and Nail Polish Remover
Oil Paint
Over Cleaner
Paint Remover
Perfumes
Permanent Wave Solution
ALL Pesticides
Rug Deodorizers (like carpet fresh)
Shoe Polish and Cleaners
Self Cleaning Ovens
Scented Candles
Spot Removers
Spray Starch
Suntan Lotions
Surgical Acrylics
Toilet Cleaners
TEFLON COOKWARE (Just throw it out ..Don't take any chances by leaving even one pan in your house to be used by accident!)
Wax
This
isn't a complete list by any means. Be aware of anything with a strong
smell and just don't use it if in doubt. Another thing to be aware of
is things going on in your neighborhood, if someone is painting or
grilling out, if there is a lawn chemical company spraying yards,
please make sure windows and doors are closed.
Please read all labels of cleaning items that you use in your house & most are toxic to birds.
Safe Plants for your house-
Acacia,
Corn Plant, Jade Plant, Rubber Tree, AfricanViolet, Crab Apple,
Kalanchoe, Schefflera, Aloe Plant, Dandelion, Magnolia, Sensitive
Plant, Asparagus Fern, Dogwood, Eucalyptus, Spider Plant, Baby's Tears,
Donkey Tail,
Monkey Plant, Snake Plant, Bamboo, Dracaena, Nasturtium, Swedish Ivy, Begonia, Dragon Tree, Oregano, Thyme,
Boston
Fern, Easter Cactus, Palms, Thistle, Bougainvillea, Ferns, Pittosporum,
Wandering Jew, Chickweed, Figs, Petunias, Wax Plant, Christmas Cactus,
Gardenia, Prayer Plant, White Clover, Coffee Tree, Grape Ivy, Rose,
Zebra Plant, Coleus, Hens & Chickens, Rosemary
Unsafe Plants
Harmful Plants (first source)
Amaryllis - bulbs
American Yew
Avocado
Azalea - leaves
Balsam Pear - seeds, outer rind of fruit
Baneberry - berries, root
Bird of Paradise - seeds
Black Locust - bark, sprouts, foliage
Blue-green Algae - some forms toxic
Boxwood - leaves, stems
Buckthorn - fruit, bark
Buttercup - sap, bulbs
Caladium - leaves
Calla Lily - leaves
Castor Bean - also castor oil, leaves
Chalice Vine/Trumpet vine
Christmas Candle - sap
Clematis/Virginia Bower
Coral Plant - seeds
Cowslip/Marsh Marigold
Daffodil - bulbs
Daphne - berries
Datura - berries
Deadly Amanita
Death Camas
Delphinium
Deffenbachia/Dumb Cane - leaves
Eggplant - fruit okay
Elephants Ear/Taro - leaves, stem
English Ivy berries, leaves
English Yew
False Henbane
Fly Agaric Mushroom - Deadly Amanita
Foxglove - leaves, seeds
Golden Chain/Laburnum
Hemlock - also water the plant is in
Henbane - seeds
Holly - berries
Horse Chestnut/Buckeye - nuts, twigs
Hyacinth - bulbs
Hydrangea - flower bud
Indian Turnip/Jack-in-Pulpit
Iris/Blue Flag - bulbs
Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Japanese Yew - needles, seeds
Java Bean - lima bean - uncooked
Juniper - needles, stems, berries
Lantana - immature berries
Larkspur
Laurel
Lily of the Valley - also water the plant is in
Lobelia
Locoweed
Lords and Ladies/Cuckoopint
Marijuana/Hemp - leaves
Mayapple - fruit is safe
Mescal Beans - seeds
Mistletoe - berries
Mock Orange - fruit
Monkshood/Aconite - leaves, root
Morning Glory
Narcissus - bulbs
Nightshade - all varieties
Oleander - leaves, branches, nectar
Philodendron - leaves and stem
Pointsetta - leaves, roots, immature
Poison Ivy - sap
Poison Oak - sap
Pokeweed/Inkberry - leaf,root,young berries
Potato - eyes, new shoots
Privet
Rhododendron
Rhubarb - leaves
Rosary Peas/Indian Licorice - seeds
Skunk Cabbage
Snowdrop
Snow on the Mountain/Ghostweed
Sweet Pea - seeds, fruit
Tobacco - leaves
Virginia Creeper - sap
Water Hemlock
Western Yew
Wisteria
Yam bean - roots, immature roots
Harmful Plants (other sources)
Alacia
Apricot
Autumn Crocus/Meadow Saffron
Beans - all types if uncooked
Birch
Bittersweet Nightshade
Bleeding Heart/Dutchman's Breeches
Bloodroot
Bracken Fern
Broomcorn Grass
Candelabra Tree
Cardinal Flower
Cherry Tree - bark, twigs, leaves, pits
Chinaberry Tree
Crown of Thorns
Croton
Elderberry
Euonymus/Spindle Tree
False Hellebore
Ficus (weeping)
Firethorn/Pyracantha
Four O'Clock
Glory Bean
Ground Cherry
Honey Locust
Honeysuckle
Horsetail
Indian Licorice Bean
Ivy
Jasmine
Jimsonweed/Thornapple
Jerusalem Cherry - berries
Johnson Grass
Kentucky Coffee Tree
Lupines/Bluebonnet
Mandrake
Mango Tree - wood,leaves,rind-fruit safe
Moonseed
Mountain Laurel
Mushrooms - several varieties
Nectarine
Nettles
Nutmeg
Oak - acorns, foliage
Peach
Peanuts - raw
Pencil Tree
Periwinkle
Pigweed
Pikeweed
Pine needles - berries
Plum
Pothos
Prune
Rain Tree
Ranunculus/Buttercup
Red Maple
Sandbox Tree
Scarlet Runner Beans
Snowflake
Sorghum Grass
Sorrel
Sudan Grass
Tansy Ragwort
Vetch
Yello Jasmine
Yew (Amer,Engl,Japan) - needles, thistles