Breeder said baby is nippy - should I avoid ?

[Muzzy]

Hi everyone -
I have been doing a lot of research over the last 6 months or so and finally decided on a GCC as a good fit for my family.

I found a breeder online and put a deposit down on a baby. I would have bought locally, but no breeders in my area, and the only parrot rescue did not have a bird that was the right size and commitment for us.

Anyhow, the baby is now of age to be shipped to me, but the breeder emailed me today and said the baby she set aside for me has become nippy and described her as very feisty.

Normally that wouldn't concern me, but I do have a 7 year old daughter and this will be our first bird, so I don't want it to be a bad experience.

The breeder said I can wait a couple weeks if I'd like and she will have some other GCC available.

Any advice ? Would it be better for me to wait, in my situation, or would taking care of the behavior be manageable ?
I understand GCC can be nippy by nature and babies especially so, but it does slightly concern me that the breeder even mentioned it, as it makes me think she might be particularly difficult.

Of course, this bird is still very young, (only hatched in early December), so it is likely too quick to make any judgements about her personality.

 

[SilverSage]

A baby that young who is already nipping is a HUGE RED FLAG! Run away! Run to a different breeder!

And GCCs are not nippy by nature. That myth only exists because of force weaning, early clipping, improper socialization and mental stimulation as babies, etc. and even then they shouldn't be nipping as BABIES!

and before owners of GCCs start jumping in and saying it's their nature, I share my life with 6. I've raised them, and I have friends who raise them. You can sit a baby raised by me down by a baby raised by normal standards and the difference is extremely clear. I'm not saying you won't deal with an extremely nippy bird in general because traditional practices really do lead to that, but DO NOT think the problem will just go away; nipping babies are a giant red warning sign.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Doublete]

If the breeder says you can wait for her next clutch... do that. At least she's being honest about the temperament of the babies.

 

[adz1984]

Agreed, from personal experience dealing with behavior problems is very difficult and somewhat disapointing, especially with a hand raised young baby, who should of experienced and reflect nothing but love! Hats off to those who rehabilitate rescues!

 

[Muzzy]

Thanks for the advice.
I think I will wait for a the next clutch to be ready - i do feel bad for the little girl I was going to adopt, but it makes more sense that she go to someone experienced.

This breeder gets good reviews and was honest about the temperament, so I hope she is raising the babies well. After all, if she didn't care , she could have just sold me bird and not told me.

 

[SilverSage]

Unfortunately tons of breeders who REALLY CARE do things that damage babies because they haven't put the work in to find out the consequences of their actions. Just like every other human out there, breeders are fallible.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk