Blue fronted amazon

arshadahmad

New member
Aug 9, 2019
1
0
I have found a new born blue fronted Amazon that I would like to purchase.

The breeder says I can take the bird home when it is 4 weeks old. Internet says these parrots need to be hand fed until 12 -14 weeks old. Should I bring home the 4 week old bird or have the breeder feed it until 12 weeks old. I have no experience with hand feeding birds.
 

Jen5200

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Mar 27, 2017
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My personal opinion..... If you have no experience hand feeding, I would suggest that the breeder should do it until weaned. There are just too many things that can go wrong and it’s not worth the risk.
 

Kiwibird

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2012
9,539
111
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1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
In short NO NO and definitely NO! Do not bring home a 4 week old amazon. Do not bring home and unweaned baby bird of any species. Do not let an unscrupulous breeder try to convince you that doing so will "strengthen your bond" with the bird or any such nonsense. That is lazy breeder talk for "I'm too lazy to do my job and want to push it off on you". The role of a person hand feeding a baby parrot is that of the "parent". Since baby parrots do not bond with their parent birds for life and eventually leave the nest (and their parents), it is outdated and disproven logic that finishing hand feeding a bird (taking on a parental role) in any way benefits your relationship with the bird. More importantly, baby parrots are so delicate, in inexperienced hands they can easily become sick or die. I'm a very experienced bird owner and I wouldn't take on an unweaned baby. Its simply not worth the risk and has no benefits to me or the bird.

All parrots who come home with you should fully weaned- meaning they can eat solid, adult bird food on their own (fruit, veggies, pellets, seed, nuts etc...) and do not need any "hand feedings" with formula at all. Any responsible breeder will not sell unweaned babies. In some countries, it is actually illegal to sell unweaned baby parrots. Juvenile parrots (i.e. newly weaned) are very curious and it is a prime moment in their development to forge a lifelong relationship, as you will be assuming the role of "friend" rather than parent.

Im glad you asked before you brought home a baby who wasn't ready, but I did want to say blue fronts are great birds. Amazons in general make good companions with the right training, proper socialization and good general care. Mine is very intelligent, inquisitive and friendly. I didn't get him as a young bird, but I've had him 11 years and couldn't ask for a much better companion.
 

Scott

Supporting Member
Aug 21, 2010
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Parrots
Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.

Anita1250

New member
Oct 19, 2017
338
9
NYC
Parrots
Blue Fronted Amazon 35 years old
I agree that you should not bring an un-weaned Amazon home. I did so 35 years ago, and had a good outcome. However, I did not know the perils involved. My bird was 12 weeks old, but still needed some hand feedings. We learned as much as we could ( wasn't much internet then ) and muddled through. Had I known how badly I could have hurt the bird I never would have done it. We were lucky. My Sam in now 36 and has been a joy to live with. Talk the breeder into fully weaning your Amazon. You will have a great bonding with him/her whether you hand feed or not.
 

texsize

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as stated above 4 weeks is way to soon.

texsize
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! AND IF YOUR BREEDER PRESSURES YOU TELL HIM YOU WITHDRAW YOUR PURCHASE, AND FIND ANOTHER BREEDER!!!

Because, bluntly, this one is ****!!!

Parrots need abundance weaning. It's CRITICAL to their development.

Any breeder who would give an unweaned bird to an inexperienced hand feeder is **** in my opinion... THE BIRD COULD DIE! SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW...
 

Aves99

New member
Aug 12, 2019
21
0
So. CA
Parrots
Red-Bellied Parrots, Senegal, Amazons, House Sparrow, Cockatoos, Cockatiels and a Dusky conure
Agree with others. Let the breeder finish the hand feeding!!
 

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