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From: ooblick@intercon.com (Mikki Barry)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: re:INDOOR re: macaw questions
Message-ID: <2821C9FC.5838@intercon.com>
Date: 3 May 91 20:37:15 GMT
References: <1991May2.161040.14160@eagle.lerc.nasa.gov>
Sender: usenet@intercon.com (USENET The Magnificent)
Reply-To: ooblick@intercon.com (Mikki Barry)
Organization: InterCon Systems Corporation, Herndon, VA
Lines: 29

In article <1991May2.161040.14160@eagle.lerc.nasa.gov>, 
ttkunat@lims04.lerc.nasa.gov (DAVE KUNATH) writes:
>      I don't think a beginner would have any problem hand feeding a baby 
> macaw IF that person was instructed correctly!  I have brought up 3 Congo 
> Greys from 5 weeks old without any problem.  The key is being taught 
> correctly how to do it.  If you don't have enough time to spend hand 
> feeding a baby bird, do the bird a favor and let someone experienced do it. 
>  If you do have the time, usually the breeder that you purchase the bird 
> from will help you.

This depends entirely on the type of macaw.  Congo greys are not at all like a 
macaw in hand feeding.  For example, hyacinths need special mixes of enzymes in 
order to even keep them alive.  I would NOT recommend buying one still hand 
feeding.  Other large macaws have strange weight gains and losses that can send 
a beginner into a panic for a vet.  Unfortunately, vets expertise varies 
wildly, and you can't trust one that hasn't hand fed out her own birds.  Charts 
in vet books are often inaccurate.  This can cause misdiagnosis and unnecessary 
treatements for a macaw that isn't as "light" as you might think.

Also, baby macaws have this strange habit of pumping their wings when you feed 
them (conures do too).  If you aren't ready for this, you get food everywhere!

Finally, 5 week congo greys are feathering.  5 week macaws are not nearly as 
developed.  Congos are born with down that protects them from temperature 
changes.  Most other birds are not.  There is much more danger dealing with a 
bird that develops more slowly than one that is sometimes ready to wean at 8 
weeks of age.  Macaws take months.

Mikki Barry