We want you to have a healthy bird as well as a tame bird!
The healthiest and generally recommended age to pull baby birds from their parents for hand-feeding is 2 to 3 weeks old.
Leaving chicks with their parents for this initial period ensures they receive crucial natural antibodies, beneficial bacteria for digestion, and warmth, which improves their immune system and overall health.
Here is a breakdown of why this age is considered ideal, along with considerations for different species:
Why 2–3 Weeks is Ideal
Health and Immune System: Chicks fed by parents for the first 2-3 weeks receive essential nutrients and bacteria that help them fight diseases better than those hand-raised from day one.
Physical Development: By 2-3 weeks, the eyes and ears are usually just opening, and pinfeathers are beginning to emerge.
Easier Transition: At this stage, they are still very receptive to hand-feeding but old enough to have a more developed, robust digestive system compared to day-old hatchlings.
Bonding: Pulling them at this age still allows for complete socialization with humans, creating a well-bonded pet.
Babies under 2 weeks are still very fragile and require specialized, round-the-clock care.
Species Variation: While 2-3 weeks is a good average for small to medium birds, sometimes it is necessary to pull a baby earlier. Babies pulled earlier often have a slower start in life, develop slower and wean at a later age than siblings pulled at 2 to 3 weeks. Larger birds develop slower and may often be pulled around the 3 week mark.
