Here are all the videos of the babies going through handfeeding, at their evening laptime and playtime. I do not make many of these videos, as it takes quite a bit of editing to make my shaky camera work watchable. I usually have my hands full during these times as well!

Every evening for an hour or two the older babies, those feathering up, can come out of the brooders. The younger ones sit in my lap, pooping and getting used to human contact and the sights and sounds of the outside world. Eventually they graduate to climbing up my chest, to my shoulders and eventually my head. It is from this lofty perch that they usually make their first flights, looking all proud from the ceiling hung rope perches. They then take off back to me, with varying amounts of success at landing. I often end up getting a surprise baby birdie smacking me in the face.

It is very important for these babies to get this contact daily, this socialization with a person. This is what differentiates a bird being just a pet from one that is a true companion. One that can give and take affection, that enjoys contact with their people, and views their human as part of the flock.

This is my reward at the end of a long day of working the birds. Being able to open the cages and brooders, sit back, and just let them climb all over me, chewing on my ears or playing in my beard. Gotta love playtime with the babies!