Say hello to my little friend!

[Shani]

I would like to introduce you all to my baby. Everyone, meet Barney


He is a 4 week old DNA sexed male reverse cinnamon pied (he has a tiny patch of cinnamon on his left wing, you can't see it here). Sorry for the meh quality of this photo, was taken by my phone - I'll be getting better photos from the breeder tonight or tomorrow. He was already trying to perch on my finger/explore, and is already learning to whistle (between the general "feed me" squawks anyway ). I'll update with more photos as I get them! Will be going back out there next week (I'd go every day if I could)

He's a fiesty little guy - not aggressive at all, but he's very very confident - and snuggly.

[entrancedbymyGCC]

Adorable! And neat that you get to handle him regularly while he's growing!

[Shani]

Yep! We took a few other pictures ourselves, but Barney was quite active, and really didn't want to sit too still so they came out really blurry.

Cutest thing by far was when he tried to perch on my finger - he didn't have what I'd call finesse or grace so he kind of gripped my right index finger, leaned back into my chest a bit, then seemed so proud of himself he started trying to whistle (quickly followed by more "Feed me!" squawking) Or maybe when he decided to try snuggle under my chin. I don't know, I'm smitten to the point I didn't care when he decided that my jacket was a good place to go poopy time.

But yes, this breeder's absolutely fantastic. So glad I took the time to really look around before deciding on a place.

[captwest]

If i were you, which i'm not, i would take him home and handfeed him myself. at his age it's not to big of a deal and if you have any bird savy it's easy and he will really bond with you, cockatiels bond really quick and if he's really a he, you need to teach human speech early, just my 2 cents worth, cockatiels are easy to care for i'm sure you could do it!!!

[entrancedbymyGCC]

If i were you, which i'm not, i would take him home and handfeed him myself.

Yah, but you have a ton of experience doing it!

The problem with this is that a person who hasn't trained to do the handfeeding can accidentally kill a baby bird. If one is going to be handraising birds on a regular basis, it is probably worth taking that risk on the first few while you develop proficiency, and I don't know what the probability of a disaster is, maybe less than 10%... but it would be hard to live with. And the common wisdom nowadays is that a one or two person bird owner is best served working with a breeder the way Shani is.

I've also heard that the bonding issue has been fairly thoroughly disproved... a well socialized baby, they say, will have no trouble bonding to a new owner. And my one personal experience is consistent with this: my husband hand-raised a baby white-fronted Amazon from an egg (he had prior handfeeding experience and this was years ago when the risk was considered part of the deal). Initially life was good, but he had to take a temporary position for a couple of years and the bird went to stay with his mother. After that, the bird had no interest in being Bill's anymore!

[Shani]

He is definitely a he - Barney was DNA sexed last week, and when I take him home the breeder will give me a certificate with his hatch date and results of DNA sexing.

I have some experience with keeping parrots, but absolutely none with hand rearing a baby. It's a risk that I just wouldn't be willing to take. I hope to learn one day, but as of now I have no idea how to ensure that the formula wouldn't be too hot/cold, how to make sure he's eaten enough, but not overfeeding - keeping where the chick's enclosure thing(?) the correct temperature (he's still too little to go to a cage just yet). The repercussions of getting it wrong would invariably result in death. I appreciate the words of encouragement but it (as said before) is just not a risk I'm willing to take.

The breeder I am getting him from is a lecturer in animal health, currently completing a PhD, and has been breeding various parrots for the last 8 years (and she learnt to care for her first cockatiel from her husband who is also an avid aviculturalist). I cannot come close to comparing with someone who has that level of expertise, and I wouldn't want to try. If nothing else, this breeder does not allow any of her baby cockatiels to go to a home until they are fully weaned, and when that occurs is anywhere between 8 - 10 weeks of age (sometimes longer) since she allows the birds to wean themselves at their own pace. I wouldn't want her to raise them any other way. I want this little guy to be my companion for the next 20 plus years, and for that he needs the best care from the start. I believe I can provide that standard of care when he is weaned, but until he IS weaned, he couldn't be in a better place.

If that means that he doesn't learn to talk quite as well, or that I need to work twice as hard to get him to bond with me instead of the breeder, then so be it. It's best for his health and long term happiness.

[captwest]

I can perfectly understand where you and your breeder are coming from, it's not a big deal and i don't mean to ruffle any feathers, handfeeding your baby is just a neat expierence that many people are missing out on . Once again , it's no big deal and your birds well being is the most important thing, Richard

[Shani]

It's fine, I totally understand where you're coming from No ruffled feathers, haha. It's something I'd love to experience one day, but I have quite a ways to go yet before I have the knowledge required to do it right.

[Shani]

I have more pictures!

[Jenny]

aww! Baby Barney is absolutely precious! I can totally understand why you're smitten.