Normally we leave the chicks with the parents for the first three weeks, until their eyes are just starting to open.  Then they are moved and cared for only by us.

We syringe-feed commercial formulas that have been developed for the different species. The formulas we use are Kay Tee for Macaws & Kay Tee for Baby Birds. 

Babies are kept in temperature and humidity controlled brooders until they can regulate their own body temperature. This is usually about the time their eyes are completely open and they have started feathering.

Once they can tolerate room temperatures during the day, they are moved to a large, open playpen so they can exercise and play with babies of similar age and size.  At night, they are moved back to the warmth of the brooder until they can tolerate the lower night-time temperatures as well.

In the evening, the babies are brought to our family room in large plastic tubs to socialize them and give them exposure to normal household noises.

They love TV. It's not unusual for them to find a comfy spot and just kick back and watch it for a while.

We raise our babies as individuals, not in clutches. Each baby has its own tub and individual time with us. They also get playtime with each other to develop the patience and sharing aspects in their personalities.

They each have toys in their cages and are rotated weekly to keep them stimulated and reduce their fear of new things. This is especially important for species like the Grey Parrot.

We listen to what the behaviorists report about problems young parrots exhibit. For instance, Greys don't like swings or anything that hangs above their heads. They also don't like bright primary colors and new toys.

To eliminate timid behavior, we put a swing in every cage.  We rotate brightly colored toys weekly (not necessarily "parrot" toys).

We use a lot of toddler toys, i.e., things with faces, like Weeble Wobbles, or the Fisher Price Farmer Set. Plastic dinosaurs are a favorite in the nursery, as well as a small zoo collection.

This early exposure has proven to develop a sense of adventure in the Grey babies and eliminate any sign of timidness. 
The babies adapt quickly to new toys, and are curious to find out what each one is all about. The swing starts out as a chew toy, but as the babies develop, they learn to climb and swing. By the time they're weaned, they're hanging on it upside down, beating their wings to make it swing as far out as they can get it to go. Our new owners tell us again and again how their Greys are not afraid of anything!  

Once they walk well and have eye-to-beak coordination, they start their perch training. 

The first perch is only about 4" off the floor: once this one is mastered,  they are moved to a large,  open perch. As you can imagine, alot of "Maiden flights" take place off this perch.

All of the babies fly before their wings are clipped. They wean in preparation for flight:  if clipped too early,  we believe it undermines their confidence because they know that they are dependent on us and it makes weaning more difficult. 

Once their wings have been clipped we train them to stay on an open perch until invited off. It is a joy to have a bird that does not have to be caged in order to be kept under control.

Feathered babies are bathed weekly. Smaller species get their bath in the stainless steel sink, with a couple of inches of lukewarm water so their tails and feet can soak a bit.  I splash the water up over them until they are soaking wet.

The large Macaws get about four inches of water in the bath tub.

When they're completely wet, we wrap them in a bath towel to soak up the water - and, just like you would do with a child, play peek-a-boo and give them lots of kisses.

This, like everything we do for the babies, is a lesson. Because the towel has always been a fun part of their bath time they don't mind being wrapped in a towel at the vet's or for grooming.

We  can place a large Macaw baby on their back wrapped in a towel,  and they will lay there for as long as we need them to.

We've discovered that a lot of the smaller species (like Cockatoos, Greys and Caiques) wiggle and squirm if turned over on their backs, but don't mind being groomed as long as they don't have to watch.  We stand them on a towel, and use just enough towel to cover their heads - then snuggle them up close, and they are perfectly content to let their nails and wing feathers be clipped while they're being talked to.

When finished, we uncover their heads and announce that they're done, making a fuss, and praising them for being so good. We have them step up and beat their wings to shake off the experience and then place them on their play stand to play. 

At the stage they have eye-to-beak coordination they are introduced to fruit and vegetables, which are changed frequently because the young ones see all the bright colors as something to play with ... they do alot of walking around in what they have yet to recognize as food.  But this works well towards weaning the babies.

Now they are introduced to the large perch and seed.  By this time, they recognize what is food and we don't have to worry about them swallowing a whole seed. 

Peanuts are usually a little tricky, but time and time again, patiently showing babies how to get the peanut out, allows them to master the process quickly.

When a bird is weaned, it is ready to go home.  We recommend fresh fruit and vegetables in the morning, soft foods in the evening with free choice or their seed, pellet and dried fruit mixture all day. 

Whatever your routine, birds are like children and adapt quickly.   Social time out of the cage is so important ...they look forward to being taken out of the cage, and it is critical to their mental well-being. There is another page of tips and answers to frequently asked questions "Tips for Our New Owners".

By the time our babies are weaned, they understand the household routine: they have heard and seen, a vacuum cleaner, a dog, a cat, TV, etc.  Babies that come from the largest aviaries have never even seen the inside of a house, so everything is scary.  It's not that those babies won't make wonderful pets: they will, it's just that our babies have a good head start. 

One concern we often hear, is the fear that the babies will be bonded with us and not want to bond with their new owner.  Baby parrots bond with us because we are their care givers. What they have learned from us is how to interact with humans. Put simply, they love and trust us, and they will love and trust you. Love is multiplied not divided. Our babies generally step up for their new owner’s right out of their carrier, looking forward to the interaction. 

Another concern is parrot behavior. There is one rule of thumb we always use that keeps us on track when trying to understand parrot behavior:  think of them as children.  If you treat them well, they will have loving and well rounded personalities.  Stimulate them with new toys/people and they will grow to be a functional part of the family. A lot of people ask us why our babies start talking so early, and the answer is, we talk to them! Each and every baby gets held, played with and talked to, every day.  We call them by their name when we are talking to them  - and because we know each stage of development for them,  we can encourage them and praise them in their development. If that sounds a little over the top,  we understand ...the intelligence of these birds is not easily understood.  But once you do understand, we won't sound like we've totally lost it! After all, what other animal can talk back to you in your own language?!

Parrots are not demanding.  If you want to play, they love it:  if you just want to sit and read your newspaper, that's okay with them too.  But we feel it would be cruel to leave them in their cage day and night.  It would be similar to never allowing a child to leave their room.

We're sure you will have questions, so feel free to E-Mail a note any time to:
Vicki@CedarMountainAviary.com 

Good Luck with your new baby   -  you're in for a lifetime of wonder and joy.