M&L Aviaries

It is getting hard to tell the babies apart, they have lots of green feathers now.  Baby #1 currently has a little more yellow on her shoulders than the other two.  They are all enjoying their head scratches, it is very cute to see the little pin feathers stand straight up on their heads when they try to fluff their head while being scratched. It is around this time that they start to get a little more interactive with toys placed around them while we play with them on the floor.  They will move into a cage this weekend where they will still remain on the bottom of it, hiding in an open box.  It is there that they will learn to perch on rope perches that are sitting on the ground.  They have started to nibble on and are playing with some dry cheerios.  Once in their cage they will also be given some moistened pellets and water.  Right now, with four feedings a day they get their water from the formula.  I will post more photos shortly.

Hand feeding started as of May 13 and all is going well.  The first day is always the most difficult as the babies have to adapt to being fed by a syringe as opposed to their mom but by day two it all runs very smoothly.  I always find it amazing that each clutch of babies are uniquely different.  This group is incredibly curious and already peeking out of their box.  In the past they would stay cuddled together for a few weeks before peeking out.  #3 likes to sleep with her head tucked under her own wing and it is just too cute.  Their socializing has already begun, our kids like to hold one each on their laps to pet and cuddle them.  Photos will be forthcoming

Baby #1 is 3 weeks old today and her green feathers are just starting to poke out.  I will be taking the babies from the nest box on Thursday when Baby #3 is 3 weeks old.

Baby #1 & #2 have been banded.  Baby #3 will be banded on Friday.

I've posted a photo of Baby #1 where you can see her eyes just starting to open, this was taken when I moved them to the back of their nest box to clean it out.