raising blue and gold macaw babies

Question
I have a pair of blue and gold macaws that laid a clutch of eggs for the first time last year.  There were three eggs and only one hatched.  We left the baby with them for a little while but ended up removing it and having someone else raise it for us because it looked dehydrated and as though it wasn't doing well.  We kept that baby, and he is a wonderful bird.

My breeders have now laid their first clutch this season.  Again there are three eggs and so far one has hatched.  It seems to be doing well so far.  What is your opinion on pulling eggs or babies versus allowing the parents to raise them on their own for a time?  I do eventually want to sell the babies as pets.

I would appreciate any advice you may have on this matter as I am quite the novice.

Thanks.

Answer
Hi, Suzanne.

If you plan on trying to sell any babies, you need to pull babies from their parents for handfeeding just before the babies open their eyes.  Otherwise, the babies won't be tame enough/imprinted on humans to make good pet birds.  I don't recommend pulling eggs unless absolutely necessary, as incubating and handfeeding from day one is difficult.  Pulling babies for handfeeding is what most parrot breeders do so that the babies imprint to humans versus their parents.  This is what makes baby parrots good pet birds.  It's important to allow the parents to feed them for a while so the babies can benefit from the nutrients the parents can offer them, but it's best to pull the babies before their eyes open up so they see you versus their parents once their eyes open.  Pulling babies for handfeeding means you also have to keep them warm enough until their feathers come in and keep them properly hydrated, so you'll need a brooder to keep the babies in.  Handfeeding means feeding the babies with a handfeeding syringe and baby macaw handfeeding formula that you can purchase locally or via the internet.  I've had much success with Kaytee Exact handfeeding formula (buy the type for macaws, as macaws need more fat in their diet than other parrots).  Babies have to be handfed at least 4 times per day, so you'll need to make time available for this.  

My website might provide more information for you (about parrots in general):

www.angelfire.com/falcon/birdinfo/index.com
www.birdchannel.com is another good site

Chrys