Information on Macaw Hatchlings

[fluffaloo]

Hello, I am interested in buying a blue and gold macaw egg in two years to hatch. I understand that it requires a great deal of effort to care for these little hatchlings, including feeding every hour for certain periods of time and weaning once they get old enough. I also understand that the weaning process can take a long time as well, sometimes up to a year. I am fully prepared to take on the role of caring for this baby but in order to do so properly I would appreciate any information that can help me do so.

I have started researching early because there is so much more I need to learn between now and the time I get one. For example, feeding can be tricky if you don't hold the head up correctly (cautious of aspiration). Another example could be how he is raised. In order to raise a well behaved (not screaming and biting constantly) macaw certain measures must be taken.

It has been a lifelong dream of mine to have a macaw, or the special bond with an almost life long animal friend and I am dedicated to making sure he will grow up healthy and strong. As an early veterinary student I want to learn as much as possible, not only for my own animal experience but for others as well. That being said any information that you can provide would be beneficial.

Additional Information:
-I understand that the chances of hatching the eggs are low
-I have experience with other exotic pets at home

Thank you, I look forward to reading your replies.

 

[texsize]

Dear me.

I think I need to come up with a standard reply to post's like this.
Just copy and past.

You are not likely to find any reputable breeder willing to sell you an egg.
only scams to take your money and leave you disappointed.

texsize

 

[fluffaloo]

That was another thing I was worried about. I have been looking into Heaven Parrot Aviary because I have read several reviews where they are packed perfect for shipping and they personally have had any hatch.

In a case where I am not able to get an egg, are there many places where I could rescue a baby?

 

[Owlet]

Do not get an egg. Period. Anywhere claiming to sell fertilized eggs are scams and its very likely the positive reviews are either the lucky 1 in a million or fabricated by the person selling.

Are you looking to buy a baby or rescue a young macaw? Two very different things.

What area are you in?


Edit: browsing the aviary you mentioned and they have a picture of a lorikeet that says "CONURES can be very playful and bold-" oof if that isn't a red flag... lets see what else I can find.

The website is so disorganized and inconsistant...
Also I'm pretty sure I've seen this exact picture listed elsewhere

https://heavenparrotsav.com/product/rare-red-factor-timneh-african-grey-mutation/

a lot of their pictures are reused from other places. 100% a scam site.

 

[fluffaloo]

Thank you for the information. I am looking for a baby macaw, I apologize for not clarifying. I have seen few cases where people rescue baby macaws (young ones less than 6months old and that is the only reason I brought it up. Buying a baby would be ideal.

I am in Arizona, currently in Tucson but by the time I get a macaw I will be in Phoenix. I am willing to travel across states so area isn't too much of a limiting factor for me.

I really appreciate you looking up the website information for me. I was reading one post on the forums that said the US heaven parrots was ok but there was a lot of confusing information.

 

[Owlet]

Here are some sources that I could find located in Arizona.

https://www.azexoticbirdrescue.org/adoptions
Tucson Parrot Rescue - Adopting
arizonaparrots.com ? The Most Amazing Birds
Arizona, AZ City Parrots

I can't tell you if they're good or not but you can call them and ask questions and maybe ask to tour the facilities (in the case of the rescues) and judge for yourself. They could also maybe point you to other places to check out.

 

[texsize]

The ideal situation (in my opinion) is to let the parrot choose you.
You will know it when it happens, lots of stories about it here on the PF.

I have NO experience with macaws, just to put that out front.

In general adopting an adult bird Macaw, Amazon, or whatever has several big advantages over a baby/fledgling.
Have already gone through puberty. There behavior is less likely to change after you bring him/her home.

bringing home a baby there temperament and ..... attachment to you can change dramatically.

Bringing home a young bird is (I think) more work, more vet bills, more uncertainties (should he be doing that? is this normal? kind of thing).

My recommendation and I think many here on the PF is go to a parrot rescue.
hang out.
ask lots of questions.
you may just find the perfect bird for you.

I am not trying to be a Debbie downer. I have taken care of both babies from hatching egg to adopting adult birds.

Adopting an adult bird that is really in tune with you, that just looks at you and is clearly asking for you to "take me home" is just as rewarding as raising babies.

You may also want to consider the extremely long live of a Macaw.
getting a Mac means dedication of your live when the bird can live 80 years or more.

 

[fluffaloo]

I completely agree with you. If I end up finding a rescue macaw that I instantly feel a special bond with or he seems to choose me, chances are that I will get him. I am prepared for the long life of a macaw. Additionally, I had to go through a somewhat similar thought process when I decided to get my sulcata tortoise since they live very long lives as well. Sometimes it is interesting to observe how the baby grows to an adult including all of the behavioral changes that comes with it but in a way it helps me better understand the macaw.

Thank you for your help and tips. Do you guys recommend a specific thread that includes caring, handling, and diet for both parrot and rescue macaw so I can do research on both?

 

[Owlet]

Go to the macaw subcategories and read absolutely everything by birdman

 

[fluffaloo]

Will do thank you!

 

[Owlet]

thank you soooo much for being willing to learn! A lot of people come in and don't get the answer they want and just bail. So thank you for sticking around and I hope to see you around more!

 

[fluffaloo]

Of course! Honestly, I love to learn more things all of the time. I did some more research today and I think I would like to go back to my original plan of adopting/rescuing a macaw in need of a home. (It was my plan before I was naively pulled into the fertile egg scam, I believe it is best to leave the baby parenting to the macaw parents or breeders to ensure they get the best and healthiest life they need).

Although, I am having trouble finding the specific posts by birdman. I clicked on the forum and went under macaws but most of the threads were common or created by normal members. Thank you again!

 

[CallumConure]

Do not get an egg. Period. Anywhere claiming to sell fertilized eggs are scams and its very likely the positive reviews are either the lucky 1 in a million or fabricated by the person selling.

Are you looking to buy a baby or rescue a young macaw? Two very different things.

What area are you in?


Edit: browsing the aviary you mentioned and they have a picture of a lorikeet that says "CONURES can be very playful and bold-" oof if that isn't a red flag... lets see what else I can find.

The website is so disorganized and inconsistant...
Also I'm pretty sure I've seen this exact picture listed elsewhere

https://heavenparrotsav.com/product/rare-red-factor-timneh-african-grey-mutation/

a lot of their pictures are reused from other places. 100% a scam site.

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but the birds in the background... Even if this wasn't a scam site and from an actual breeder, I would not buy a bird from there. How those birds are kept really bothers me.

Also, the site says "Talking Ability: Yes" (number one, terrible grammar), and any site/ad/company/breeder that focuses on "can this bird talk?" bugs me. I personally don't care if my bird never says anything beyond his shrieks and squeals, I just want a companion. If they can talk and do a fantastic job at mimicking, yay! If not, I don't mind.

 

[Owlet]

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