How important to be left for while in nest?

[jlockhart29]

I am still trying to decide on my next parrot after loosing my Nanday,Jake, after a little more than 25the years. I know a lot of the too people thank it helps to leave the chicks on the nest with the parent for a time before hand feeding. Have pretty much narrowed my choice to a bare eyed too or a severe macaw. For the other breeds besides too's how important is letting parents similar raise chick? Especially the macaw family. Just interested in what other breeders and owners thought.

 

[Pedro]

I am still trying to decide on my next parrot after loosing my Nanday,Jake, after a little more than 25the years. I know a lot of the too people thank it helps to leave the chicks on the nest with the parent for a time before hand feeding. Have pretty much narrowed my choice to a bare eyed too or a severe macaw. For the other breeds besides too's how important is letting parents similar raise chick? Especially the macaw family. Just interested in what other breeders and owners thought.

Having had a bare eyed too in the past & now the proud owner of a pair of Hahn's. I would highly recommend the Sever. I get heaps of enjoyment from my Hahn's & for a 12 month old pair I can't believe how quickly the male learns words & puts little sentences together.

Most breeders usually take their chicks at 2 weeks. Personally I leave mine a week or 2 longer, depending on the size of the chick. Small birds like the GCC i would take at 3 weeks. Eclectus at 5 weeks. I used to take them at 2 weeks but realized that it didn't make one ounce of difference to the chick when it was weaned.

Although i haven't bred my Hahn's yet, when they do breed i will leave the chicks for as long as possible, at least 3 to 4 weeks. I don't believe they get any better start in life because the formulas today are excellent. It's a lot less work for me. This past week I have been handrearing 2 sun conure chicks from hatch. That is sometimes a necessary part of breeding parrots. That means 2 hourly feeds. A lot different to a 4 week old chick that only requires 3 feeds a day.

 

[roxynoodle]

I just wanted to say I'm sorry about the loss of your Nanday. I have one, too, and she is an amazing little bird.

 

[jlockhart29]

"Most breeders usually take their chicks at 2 weeks. Personally I leave mine a week or 2 longer, depending on the size of the chick. Small birds like the GCC i would take at 3 weeks. Eclectus at 5 weeks. I used to take them at 2 weeks but realized that it didn't make one ounce of difference to the chick when it was weaned."
Thanks. I have read several places where especially the cockatoo breeders think that leaving the chick with the parents help to make it more stable as an adult. Less likely to be a chronic screamer as well as better to entertain its self. They also like the chick to learn to fly before clipping the wings.

 

[jlockhart29]

I just wanted to say I'm sorry about the loss of your Nanday. I have one, too, and she is an amazing little bird.

Yes they are. I got him when I was a sophomore in collage from of all places Wal Mart. He was in a little cage where his tail feathers were sticking threw and the kids were pulling them out. He was a wreck. He went on to be the most bullet proof bird you would ever meet. Loved everyone and being the center of attention. Free flighted and stayed on our shoulders. I was 45 when he died last year. Thats a good chunk on my life with that little bird.

 

[henpecked]

Hey Jlock, i can sympathize with you and losing a long time fid.I have several birds i've had for as long as 40yrs,and lost one of my favorite hen amazons when she was 25 after having her since 3 wks old.I breed amazons and have strong feeling about when to pull babies. Like most others have said ,i pull mine at 3-4 wks.Long enough for their eyes to open and feather out some.Long enough for them to realize they are a bird and not a people,LOL, i also suggest you let them fledge and learn to fly,they can always be clipped if needed but it's much harder to teach a older bird to fly if it's never had the chance.

 

[roxynoodle]

My Nanday has been with me almost 12 years. My horses have been with me longer than that, and so have a few other critters. But, still she's been such a big part of my life for so long now it is hard to remember what it was like before her. Our communication skills with each other are quite amazing