Babies are pulled from the nest between 4 and 10 weeks of age depending on the species and the parents. They are transferred from the nest box into a natural wicker basket and covered with a dark cloth. In the nursery we keep the lights on low at first to help with the transition from a dark cozy nest box to living indoors with humans.      As the babies age and appear more interested in their surroundings the cloth is kept a bit more open each day. Eventually the babies stick their heads all the way out and begin trying to climb out of the basket. By this time they are more used to the lights and begin leaving the nursery for a few hours a day to play in the big playpen with the older babies. In the beginning their basket follows them to the playpen for security should they need it.

Babies are not put into weaning cages until they fledge. If the basket fits, it follows them there as well. Our babies are extremely well socialized. They are used to many toys, changing cages, dogs, parrots of the same and different species, vacuums, people, noise etc. Our babies are never thrown out into a cage and ignored regardless of how long they live with us while awaiting their forever home. All of them live indoors and are handled daily. I’m often surprised when I get a phone call on a 6 month old baby and the question; It he still tame? Absolutely! And if he or she is 2 years old? Absolutely!      Our babies are never clipped until they are Ace fliers! No matter how much of a pain it might be having them fly through my home, the fact that I can’t have pictures on the wall, or table lamps, my babies fly! I have friends who ask, how I stand it! How could I not? Here we do whatever is in the best interest of the bird.

	Copyright 2003 Wendy’s Parrots

Once a baby has learned to fly really well, he or she will begin spending some time in outdoor play areas. We currently have four large cages for this purpose. Some days they stay indoors with me and other days they go out and socialize. I change playmates and flight cages so each day is a new experience. At the end of the day everyone comes indoors for a warm meal before retiring to their cages for the night. The warm meal is a community affair and much playing goes on at this time too. Lights are left on after they go into their cages for at least an hour so they can check out their snacks, play with their own toys and just settle in. Babies do not leave until all of the following criteria have been met: *The baby is fully weaned and eating well on it’s own. *The baby knows how to eat in a cage and play and entertain itself. *The baby has fully fledged and then been given a gradual wing trim that best suits the individual bird and the new environment he or she will be living in.