BB>And anyone that has had a pet parrot that they have hand fed themselves 
will
BB>tell You how much beter that pet can turn out.
There is a difference between wanting to learn to handfeed because you
plan to breed birds yourself, and wanting to learn just so your new pet
can "bond" to you. One is planning for the future, and one is an ego
trip.
Even with experienced handfeeders, some babies just don't turn out
wonderful and loving. I've had 2 here that HATED me, even though I was
their sole caretaker/handfeeder. They did fine with their new owners,
but both of them detested me. What would have happened if that had
been a novice handfeeder who'd paid out big bucks for that baby?
Just handfeeding a baby bird does NOT guarantee a 2-way bond will form
between you & birdie. That bond is a myth, supported and promoted by
lazy breeders who want to sell birds early to avoid the work of weaning
them.
And for an inexperienced person to buy an unweaned bird just for that
supposed "bond" is much too risky for the bird. Besides the risk of
improper feeding causing health problems, taking an unweaned baby with
an immature immune system out into the world is just asking for it to
pick up diseases. Babies are best left where they were hatched until
several weeks after weaning, for their own safety. And someone who truly
wants a healthy pet will allow an experienced breeder to wean it for
them.
--Kathy
(who's been through this argument on this very echo more times than she
cares to recall...)
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