Re: [Freeflight] Minimum Age for a CAG

[rex <rex@n...>]

Leigh Sippel <lasippel@m...> [2003-07-17 21:16]:
> 
> I was really quite shocked that you basically recommended that Bart take 
> the younger, 10 week old Grey based only on the criteria that this baby 
> Grey is at a more optimal age to train flight. Do you know if Bart has 
> the skills & knowledge to care for an unweaned Grey? Depending on this 
> particular baby, full weaning may be way over a month away. AND going 
> to a new home requires an adjustment.

Leigh,

I had similar thoughts. I don't breed greys, but if they are anything
like senegals -- and I think that they are -- food is useless as a
reward during the fledging period. All they want to do is fly and
play, and they eat just enough to keep from starving (they lose enough
weight that it's scary). After fledging is over food again becomes
important and they will recall for a treat. Personally, I would not
transfer a bird during the period from shortly before fledging (when
they nearly stop eating) until they were weaned and eating well. It
just seems too risky. It's a stressful period for me every time and
I've been breeding them since 1988. 

Handfeeding is easy (as long as the food temperature is MEASURED to
prevent crop burns) until something goes wrong. An inexperienced
person may easily miss a developing problem until it's too late to
save the bird. 

Bart, I'd go with the nearby breeder who insists that the bird be
weaned. He's putting the welfare of the bird above his own interests
(which are to sell the bird as soon as possible) and that's a good sign.
Wacko has turned out OK, right? And he was weaned when you got him,
right?

Responsible breeders and trainers have different priorities, so there
will be disagreement on what the optimal time to transfer birds is.

-rex