Hand feeding GCC

[pip_luv]

I recently got a 2 week old GCC. Before, I didn't know if I should get a bird so young because of hand feeding. After researching hand feeding baby green cheeks, every one seems to say the inexperienced hand feeders will easily kill a young green cheek.Even though the posts scared me, I got mine anyway. Pippin is now 3 weeks and 4 days old and his colorful feathers are starting to come in. I hand feed him 4 times a day and we haven't had any complications.

I find hand feeding very easy and I don't understand most of the posts. Are the posts just being over dramatic?

 

[weco]

Congratulations on the undertaking you've set for yourself and while I learned to hand feed several years ago, I much prefer leaving that job to others.....

 

[Peeker]

Like so many things, for some handfeeding is fairly straight forward and for some people, it's terribly difficult. Just be sure your baby is gaining weight and progressing well and if you get into trouble get help right away.

I've handfed before and it was a wonderful experience, but I had one little booger that was a fussy eater and she kept me awake a night worrying about her. I was always trying to sneak in an extra feed when I could.

 

[moni.k]

I hand fed Nalani, and have previously hand fed birds at my previous job at a vet clinic. It is so rewarding, and I enjoyed doing it. However, I personally don't recommend it to people.

As you have read all the warnings, there are people who choose to purchase an unweaned bird because they cost less or believe it will help "bond" with the bird. But, not having the proper equipment and experience can be life threatening to a fragile baby bird. People watch videos on youtube and think it's easy without the proper knowledge and teaching. I have seen birds come to the clinic with their crops hard as stone from inexperienced hand feeding, and others knocking on deaths door because they were starving from being underfed.

Fortunately, there is a lot of support here in this forum for people to ask questions and get answers from experienced parrot owners and breeders. But I don't think at all that people are being dramatic, it isn't a job anyone can do. It takes time, patience, knowledge and a lot of care. Not all people have all of the above.