Pepper and Slinky Part 2

[papaya]

Davinchi,

that is what I have read too. I guess it all depends on the bird. I cannot see that this breeding experience will affect my relationship with Pepper negatively. If anything it will be stronger. Now Slinky on the other hand has never been a very cuddly bird. He likes to be independant and does not prefer to be petted.(He will bite). However he loves interaction and will call for me when I leave the room. He loves getting treats (pine nuts) and will do several tricks (like wave his foot, or dance) even during this breeding time.They are both just great birds.

[ame=http://youtu.be/_7N6QiVahMc]Pepper my cuddle bug - YouTube[/ame]

 

[papaya]

I thought I would post a little video of the entire family.
Pepper (mom) at broccoli bowl, Slinky (dad) on stand and the three little babies in the container. The oldest is now 15 days old and can open one eye slightly, the second 12 days and the youngest is 9 days old. Mom and dad are doing a great job in feeding them. I started to take the babies out of the nest box so I can interact with them.
In a week I will be close banding the babies.

[ame=http://youtu.be/AVJR0cj-8j8]African Grey Birdy family Pepper Slinky and 3 babies - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Boysmom]

AWW that is so sweet, Thanks for sharing ! I want a grey so badly, but as hubby has been out of work for nearly a year and has just returned, I havent found one I could afford yet. You certainly have a special bond with Pepper, both of you must be great mommies. Congrats on your little bundles of joy !

 

[Joshmackow]

wow that is amazing, congratulations. Would be so cool to breed some birds.

 

[papaya]

Boysmom,

thank you. I wish I could keep all three babies, but that would be too much to handle. Plus I don't think Pepper would like me sharing her with three more birds.
She truely is such a sweet bird.
Looks like you have a wonderful bird too. Ruby looks so gorgeous and her personality seem to match this.
Parrots are just plain GREAT!

Here is the oldest baby (now 16 days old). He/she can look out of one eye, very cute.

[ame=http://youtu.be/niGcmqhcuiU]16 day old African Grey Timneh - YouTube[/ame]

 

[papaya]

Joshmackow,

thank you. Yes, this breeding experience is truely amazing. I am just so lucky that all is going so well and there are no complications as of now.
Today I was observing that Pepper moved all the bedding around in the nest box so the babies would sit on clean bedding again. What good parents!

 

[papaya]

Just another update on the parents and babies.

[ame=http://youtu.be/GxpKyljpC4s]Pepper and Slinky with babies - family gathering - YouTube[/ame]

 

[papaya]

Another update.

The babies are now 34, 31 and 28 days old. I have put their closed bands on and the parents were ok with it. No issues here. I try to take the babies out every day to "play" with them but they get chilly easily, so interaction has been limited.
Mostly the mom Pepper is feeding the babies while Slinky is watching over all activities. The babies are starting to get their feathers around the wings and heads and are starting to become more and more curious.
So far, everything is going well.

Here is a video of the babies I took today and a video of the parents.

[ame=http://youtu.be/_-eevZYQfx0]African Grey Timneh babies - YouTube[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY1EoLGP8T0&feature=g-upl]Pepper and Slinky African Grey Timnehs - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Pookamama]

Awww, they are so precious! Thanks for sharing the progress!!!

 

[papaya]

Thank you Pookamama.

I am trying to capture all of their steps on video. They are so many changes in so short time. The oldest one is starting to get red tail feathers (one could think he/she is a CAG). Very cute those little butts. He/she is also getting curious about the surroundings. Can't wait for them to walk around and explore.

Here are two videos I took today.
One family gathering with the youngest one not being very happy.

[ame=http://youtu.be/0OqASBJyqHI]Pepper & Slinky African Grey Timneh family - YouTube[/ame]


[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_VQJ-02IA8]African Grey baby falling asleep - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Blue]

So cute! Number 3 hatched on my birthday.

 

[papaya]

Maybe I should call him/her Blue then!
Congratulations to your new CAG Odin. He is a very handsome boy!
How is he doing?

 

[Blue]

He's amazing, like hes been here forever, I can give him scritches and pet down his back. I never dreame in loved he would settle in so fast Im in love. :heart:

 

[papaya]

Blue,


yes, these little parrots can surely tug on our heartstrings.
I am getting so attached to the babies but I keep telling me, "no, I cannot keep them".
Unfortunately they are getting cuter by the day.
This is baby #2 (37 days old today). He/she can walk and is showing interest in the world around him. Just adorable!

[ame=http://youtu.be/tnvIeGK4c5g]37 day old African Grey baby - YouTube[/ame]

 

[denise3mom]

What a amazing pair you have there!! I so enjoy each video!! Our cag eggs were infertile hoping she will go to nest again . What are you selling your babies for?

 

[papaya]

Hi denise3mom,

thank you. I do feel pretty lucky that things are working out the way they are. Pepper and Slinky are both doing a wonderful job. My biggest fear was the closed ring bands but it turned out that there was no issue other than them falling off. I kept ringing at age 19 days, 20 days and they finally stayed on on day 24! Oh well, we all learn as we go. I was thinking of the parents possible ripping the rings of and mulitating the feet.
I am really sorry to read about Charlie and the plucking issues. I hope he will overcome this problem.
Pepper and Slinkys first clutch (four eggs) which they laid earlier (this summer) all turned out to be infertile. I was so sad because Pepper was so devoted and spent all this time in the nest box. To my surprise (and I truely did not expect it) I heard a peep the second time around. So tiny and cute. I cannot believe how big they are now. Their head feathers are almost all grown in and they enjoy having their heads petted.
I wish you luck with your pair. I guess you just never know. Where your pairs proven?
Did you get my message?

Another video I took today.
Babies are 40, 43 and 46 days old.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRQZ_iFUxw8&feature=plcp]Pepper and Slinky babies - YouTube[/ame]

 

[papaya]

Update on the babies.

I decided I wanted to dna the babies. So I odered a test kit and sent it out today.
I am guessing (plain guess) that baby #1 and baby #2 are females and the baby #3 is a male. In a couple of days we should know for sure.
I have enclosed pictures of all three babies.

Baby #1 (49 days old)

Baby #2 (46 days old)

Baby #3 (43 days old)

 

[papaya]

Hi,

I received the test results today. My guess was totally wrong. My first two born are males and the youngest is a female!
They are doing so well now. Starting to explore with broccoli and carrots!

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbeM79FXeBM&feature=g-upl]African Grey Timnehs (54 days, 51 days and 48 days old) - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Alisana]

This is absolutely amazing! Thank you for sharing these wonderful moments with us!

 

[papaya]

Alisana,

thank you. I am also so amazed by this entire experience. It is so cute to see the babies developing and grow into "real parrots". This is a learn as you go project and luckily everything has worked out just fine so far. Not sure what will happen when it is actually time for the babies to leave the nest. First of all it will be pretty difficult to climb out of the nest box. I am worried that they might get hurt. Then being in tight quarters meaning in the cage there might be some stress occuring. I think I will wait another two weeks and then place the babies in a different cage (weaning cage). They are starting to eat some vegetables and they will take formula from me. Not sure how to keep them warm however. I also have a glass tank that I could put them in.
Here is a video I took today. I take them out once a day and interact with them and let them explore. It seems like they are really getting comfortable with this routine. Amazing how they remember. I usually have them out about 45 minutes a day and the rest of the time they spend in the dark nest box.

[ame=http://youtu.be/VIb1TnQzgCQ]Pepper & Slinky babies (2 months old) - YouTube[/ame]