Should you buy your baby parrot weaned or unweaned?
There are many things people need to learn before they choose to buy a baby parrot, such as important information on caring for their new pet, including feeding, hygiene and training. If you’re ready to take your baby parrot home, the first thing you should take into consideration is whether or not to buy a weaned baby.
You may find that some people recommend purchasing an unweaned baby to build a stronger bond with their new pet, but I can’t urge you enough to be careful here and buy a fully weaned, vaccinated and veterinary checked baby bird, since many important later developments may depend on that choice. I would add that opting for a reputable breeder you can trust and feel comfortable with is as significant as finding the perfect parrot.
Most breeders have a policy that states if they give you an unweaned baby and if a problem should happen, they won’t be held responsible. In a few cases breeders will let an experienced owner take an unweaned baby home, but if you’re not an experienced hand feeder, it’s better not to try it.
Sometimes people choose that option to save a little money, but it may well end up costing you more, not only in vet charges, but also in future behavior problems.
Most people who purchase an unweaned baby bird are unaware that the baby must be weighed daily to be sure it isn’t losing too much weight when weaning. When babies are weaning, it’s reasonable to expect them to lose 10 to 15% of their weight.
Once they’re weaned, the more diversity of fruits, vegetables, beans and other parrot treats you give him or her the easier it will be to have him or her accept new types of food and the healthier your tiny companion will become in the future.
So remember your first concern should be to build a healthy foundation for the baby parrot to develop into a confident but gentle pet. Before taking home your baby, try to look up a Certified Avian Veterinarian near you if possible. This will alleviate some of the anxiety but none of the emotion and excitement of bringing home your new baby parrot.
For more information on how to choose your parrot click here:
What are the Best Parrots for Beginners?
