Rescue Question

[zimbasmom]

I have a question and thought I would put it on the forum as it may be an interesting topic for all of us. 

I got a call from a lady that wants me to pet sit for her 6 parrots, she said all but 1 are recues and 2 of the most current ones she is hand feeding them.
She said she is hand feeding the rescue birds (at bed time so it is just once a day) to get them to bond with her and to try and get them to trust her, it sounds like they came from some really bad conditions. 

So my question is…is this a common practice to do with a rescue bird?
I asked her how long she does this for and she said however long it takes until they come around. 

[Jadesmom]

I've gotten quite a few from SCBR and Bella was the only one I handfed, but thats because she was still a baby, and only for a couple weeks. When I got Jade, no one was meaner or more hostile than her. I never hand fed her, and can give scritches and she sits on my shoulder. Loves to get her head rubbed and she purrs like a cement mixer. I'm not sure what others do, but I didn't. And look at Buddy...my velcro bird. For all they had been through, it only took a day or 2 of nice talking and hanging out and they were putty in my hands.

[zimbasmom]

I thought it was a bit odd 

[BPMar]

She does this for a "non-baby" bird?  Wouldn't there be a chance for them to really like this and then not eat on their own in a way?  I could see gaining their trust by hand feeding treats but not whole meals.   

[Jadesmom]

She does this for a "non-baby" bird?  Wouldn't there be a chance for them to really like this and then not eat on their own in a way?  I could see gaining their trust by hand feeding treats but not whole meals.   

I agree. Its like she is trying to make this bird co-dependant. Needy and clingy. That can cause lots oif problems down the road, esp. if she ever rehomes him.

[BrilliantFids]

Hmm Ive not heard of that either. Though when im raising babies my adult birds who like it get a syringe or 2 of formula as well...I do it not for bonding but to keep them used to a syringe incase I ever had to give meds. Her reasoning seems strange to me..

[BuffaloParrot]

Yeah, definitely odd to me and very bizarre!

[zimbasmom]

Well I meet her & the birds next Monday I will let you know about the visit 

[chance]

Some people do, do this, to help the birds learn to trust them. many people will hand feed adult birds that are pluckers ,it does seem to help with plucking issues. I do not do this but have heard of people doing it.