From: ammg2052@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Aaron M. Moy)
Subject: RE: Conures + OJ, B&G Macaw, and Talking Birds
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 21:53:24 GMT


In response to Kieran Mullen's conure query:

	Perhaps the conure had a sugar rush, much like what happens when six
	year old kids and Cap'n Crunch get together.

In response to Julie DiVona's B&G macaw questions:

	Well, congrats on your decision to purchase a hand-fed bird.  They 
	really are worlds apart from skittish & nippy wild-caught or parent
	raised birds.  Buying a larger bird truly takes a committed and
	responsible owner.  All the effort input is of course returned ten
	fold.  The blue and gold is a good macaw choice in terms of personality
	and overall good looks.  Regarding your questions:

	1)  Blue and Golds typically wean at 3 to 4 months of age.  I wouldn't
	    be too alarmed if it took a little longer, as long as the bird
	    was still in good health and was making some weaning progress.
	    Weaning should not be forced.  That is, let the bird decide when
	    to skip hand-feedings.  Of course, if the baby can maintain his
	    weight by eating by himself, then it's alright to skip feedings.

	    I really wouldn't advise making such a large bird your first
	    experience with hand feeding.  There is great risk that the novice
	    hand feeder may squirt the food at the wrong moment, possibly 
	    introducing food into the lungs.  I don't believe that a strong
	    individual bond is formed between the hand feeder and the baby.
	    The age of greatest socialization is the period during and
	    shortly after they wean (2-3 months).  I would advise that you
	    visit the baby often at the store, and perhaps give the baby a few
	    drops of his hand feeding food (via syringe or spoon).  If 
	    possible, try to get the store owners to keep him out of direct
	    public interaction.  Rude and cruel customers may torment the
	    bird, negating the benefits of hand-feeding.

	2)  The positive aspects of owning the big birds are their 
	    intelligence, affection, and shear beauty.  Negatives include
	    cost and committment.  Before you make your decision, you must
	    convince yourself that the baby you buy is really the one you want.
	    After you do buy one, don't spoil him.  The usual tendancy for
	    new bird owners (or consumers in general) is to pay lots of
	    attention to the new arrival, but gradually spend less time
	    as the years go by.  A baby who receives a great deal of attention
	    will expect this same amount when he gets older.  If he feels
	    neglected, screaming antics or feather-picking could result.  Also,
	    never let the bird think he's the boss.  Agression and frustration
	    often result from dominant birds.

	Also, make sure the store is weaning the baby with pellets and fresh
	foods, with only small amounts of seeds..  A baby weaned only on seeds
	is hard to convert to a better diet.  Good nutrition is vital for your
	macaw to live to its expected 50-70 years.

In response to Dave Maycon's talking bird question:

	The best talking bird for the budget minded consumer is a Quaker
	parrot.  They're green and grey, and are about the size of a husky
	cockatiel.  They're reasonably intelligent and have fair quality
	voices.  Good hand-fed quakers cost around $150, although there are
	blue and yellow mutations costing > $700.  A minimum cage size would
	be 18X18X20 (inches).  Of course, the bigger the better.  Also, use
	different size perches, or natural or plastic branches instead, to
	keep the bird from getting foot sores.

	People often think that the bird will be lonely.  If the only reason
	for buying two birds is this, I would advise against it.  You want
	the bird to bond to you, and the presence of another bird may be a
	distraction.  Birds can have other bird friends of course.  Just make
	sure that everyone gets their share of your attention.

Aaron Moy
ammg2052@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu
"The Baby's Nest" Hand-Fed Birds
Urbana, Illinois
(217) 328-1838

	diet.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds