Week 15

Our March 2007 hatch chicks made a visit to the vet this week and completed their health exam with flying colors.  All three babies were a big hit at the vet's office, as always.  All of our chicks are in excellent health and condition and will be ready to join their families very soon.

The 15 week old babies are now weaned and will be going home with their families in a short time.  We continue to offer healthy treats from our hand on a frequent basis.  The chicks enjoy the  supplimental treats, it helps keep their weight up through the transition of fledging, weaning and homecoming and it gives them security to know that they will always be fed when they are hungry!   It is a "bond builder" and a wonderful positive reinforcer.  Hand feeding your bird healthy treats is an excellent way to offer positive reinforcement that can be used as a bridge to "train" other rewarding behaviors.  The more "rewarding" opportunities we can create for our birds, the more flexible and open they will be to the training we offer.  A bird that is rewarded by multiple actions is easier to train simply because we "trainers" have more options to use for reinforcing learned behavior.  

A favorite "hand fed" treat we offer is the Scenic Hand Weaning Pellets.  We send our clients home with a package of scenic hand weaning pellets and teach our families how to use these wonderful, nutritious pellets to help bridge the transition from our home to theirs. 

Basic lessons are going well.  Our playful and charming March 2007 hatch babies are exceptionally smart birds and fast learners!  These babies enjoy playtime and are very oriented to human attention.  The clutch has become a favorite of my two youngest daughters, who shower the infant parrots with loving attention!

Mumbling and "talking" practice continues.  

The babies will accompany us on some excursions this weekend, traveling in the pet taxi travel carriers.  They make excellent and poised travel companions and we always look forward to our trips with the chicks.

Below, perching on the playtop!  

 

Above, front perch, front to back, Sweetie, Gloria, back perch, Claude.