Young birds need correct feeding, warmth, hygiene and time to become independent. Moving a bird before it eats reliably on its own is risky and often unfair to the buyer and the bird.
Independence first
A young bird should be eating independently, maintaining weight and behaving confidently before transfer. "Almost weaned" is not good enough for most buyers. Hand-feeding requires skill and mistakes can be fatal.
Parent rearing and handling
Parent-reared birds can still become tame when handled gently and consistently. Hand-rearing should not be used as a marketing trick. Welfare, correct nutrition and social development come first.
Buyer questions
Ask hatch date, ring information where relevant, diet, weight development, health history and whether the bird is fully self-feeding. A responsible breeder will not rush the bird out of the nest for convenience.
