when i had cosmo i brought him home early cause they thought it was a godd idea...to bond as they say...it was a nightmare...all he did was scream everytime he saw me cause he wasnt done handfeeding and he associated me with his feedings he went back for 2 weeks and he was fine....but all birds are different....did the breeder say at 14 weeks he will be done handfeeding?

Aww! What a cutie Lilly is! I hope the next 3 weeks fly by!

12 weeks may be a bit on the young side although I don't know about electus. The breeder should keep the baby one week past weaning to make sure of no regression when you get the baby. Don't worry about bonding this takes place after weaning anyhow. It is difficult to say how long hand feeding is, some babies just refuse to wean. A lot would depend on the breeders personal belief whether the baby is forced to wean or allowed to at its own pace.

I really, really suggest waiting until she is completely weaned to bring her home. I got Ollie at 8.5 weeks of age (breeder's choice), and it was so stressful. I had a really hard time getting her off the formula. The breeder has no way of knowing at what age she will be weaned- it's different for every bird. I would honestly let them know that you want her to be completely weaned when you get her, at whatever age that may be.

Ok now I am worried. 12 weeks was what they said last Thursday (I think?), going by how she was feeding then, I would think (well I would hope and I will be sure to ask) that they would tell me if she gets to 12 weeks old and isn't weaned properly. I am sure that they would keep her until she was fully weaned. Biscuit was just shy of 11 weeks when he came home (he's an indian ringneck) and he ate like a piggy, but I would have to say that might have been just him cause he eats like there will be no tomorrow regardless of how much he has eaten through the day. If I put food in his bowl he will eat it....all!
I am going to ring them today and just talk to them about it I think. I will let you know what they say.

Don't worry Camille I have no plans to bring home an unweaned babe. I remember feeding Miroki formula for about a week and a half when he came home, because he regressed somewhat, and he was around the 16-17 weeks mark when he came home. That was a real stress fest even though he was only having a little bit plus fruits and veg. I never want to have to handfeed/handraise a birdie myself, I much prefer to bring them home after all that is finished.I am guessing too that 3 weeks is just a rough estimate, cause all babes wean differently.