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| Dogs and Cats Birds can learn to get along quite happily with dogs and cats around their cages. Once everyone gets to know each other, they all get along fine. But always be aware, a cat will attack a bird that is out of its cage if it gets the chance! |
 What Makes A Hand Reared Bird Special?
Hand Raised Birds make a very special pet for all the family. They are normally taken from their parents at just a few days old and put into a special incubator which keeps them at a consistent temperature. They have to be fed by hand every 4 hours at least for the first week or so, depending on the species. The bigger the bird the longer this takes. They are fed with special hand rearing food, either off a special spoon or by a small syringe (without the needle!) straight into their crop. This is the time the bird becomes bonded to the human touch and it sees us as one of their flock, which makes them a great pet in the future. After they become fully feathered, they wean off the soft food from the spoon and start to eat seed and fresh fruit on their own. When you purchase a hand raised bird, we encourage you to interact with the bird as much as possible as this keeps up that human bonding process developed from an early age. Depending on the species of bird, unlike dogs and cats for example, they can live up to 80 years of age and with much love and care can become one of the most valuable pets in the house. Intelligence and Personality Birds are very intelligent animals. They certainly don't deserve the label "bird brain" that people use. Birds can not only learn to talk, whistle and sing, but know exactly what is going on around them - and how they are being treated. Each bird has its own personality, just like people. They develop a strong bond with the humans that care for them and respond accordingly. Birds treated with respect, love and discipline can become almost like children. Of course we must always remember they are never really "tame" and can quickly revert to their instincts if spooked or frightened. You must expect the unexpected and not strike back if they nip you for instance. Having their flight wings trimmed by us, or learning to do it yourself, will enable you to let your birds out of their cages and socialize with you, often sitting on your shoulder while you work.
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These birds are hand raised, have their wings
clipped and are free to sit in the open in the shop
Click to see a larger view.
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