IMPRINTING Imprinting is the term for a learning process at the - - PDF document

4-5-2015 1

STOP HANDREARING

• Jan Hooimeijer DVM CPBC
• Avian Veterinarian , Parrot behavior Consultant (CPBC)
• Consultancy Practice for Birds, Meppel
• The Netherlands

KONRAD LORENTZ (nobelprice 1973) IMPRINTING

Adviespraktijk voor Vogels - Drs. Jan Hooimeijer - www.adviespraktijkvoorvogels.nl

IMPRINTING

Imprinting is the term for a learning process at the early state of the development of social interactions that play an important role in the development of social behavior. The proces of imprinting is at a young age of the animal/child , within a strict period and essential to survive.

Adviespraktijk voor Vogels - Drs. Jan Hooimeijer - www.adviespraktijkvoorvogels.nl Adviespraktijk voor Vogels - Drs. Jan Hooimeijer - www.adviespraktijkvoorvogels.nl

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Determined at what age a young animal may be seperated from the mother:

• Dog = 7 weeks
• Cat = 7 weeks
• Rabbit = 4 weeks
• Chimpansee = 4 years
• Parrots have to eat completely

independent since July 1th 2014

Adviespraktijk voor Vogels - Drs. Jan Hooimeijer - www.adviespraktijkvoorvogels.nl

Animal Law

BIZARRE!!

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH HANDREARING?

• Imprinting towards humans.
• Behaviour problems:  more insecure,

fear/phobic behaviour, biting, featherpicking, hormonal behaviour. It may take months and years to develop!

• Problem as breeding bird.
• Less viable birds survive.
• Negative effect on the female, producing more

eggs than normal  egg quality- life expectancy is low.

• Breeding with breeding pairs that do not raise

their own yougsters.

WHY HANDREARING?

• Compensation of managementfailures!

(Malnutrition, Stressfactors, Not tame, No name)

• Females will lay more eggs! $$$
• More eggs/ baby’s is not in the best interest of the female

and not in the best interest of the baby’s.

• Just $$$$$

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WHY TRADE IN UNWEANED BABY PARROTS?

• Birds become more tame, less behaviour

problems?

• No way = Sales pitch!
• Selling young  profitable, less risk for

seller $$$

PREVENT IMPRINTING CALIFORNIAN CONDOR PROJECT

NO HUMAN CONTACT WHEN HANDREARING IS NEEDED.

THE OUTCOME OF LIVING IN CAPTIVITY, HAND REARED AND ”LOVED”.

• The number of Moluccan

Cockatoos in parrot rescue having severe behaviour problems is bigger than the population in nature.

• How more sad can it be?

ROLE OF AVICULTURE

Most birds in aviculture show behaviour problems;

• No name, not tame
• Fear, stress
• Lack of trust
• Hand rearing!!
• Malnutrition!!
• Lack of exercise
• Cage factor!!! Dog in kennel!?

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WHAT ARE THE NAMES OF YOUR BREEDING BIRDS?

TAME BREEDING BIRDS ARA MAKING A HUGE DIFFERENCE

Thank you for your attention

Consultancy Practice for Birds

• Drs. Jan Hooimeijer

info@vogeladvies.nl