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And finally, biiiig stretch!

Oh yes, the bucket of magical things to shred.

Close up

What's over there?

Here come a whole bunch of pictures!

To start off, I'll just say that there are pictures coming! I promise! I have lots it's just life gets pretty busy now and then and I very recently had to re-install Windows on my computer....:whistle: Anyway, THE most exciting news! I was out visiting little Darwin again today and the breeder gave me great news! Darwin has been eating on his own for a week now and the breeder told me that if he stays on track, Darwin will be coming home this time next week! As you can imagine, I'm thrilled! I've been visiting him up to four times a week for the past 8 weeks since I picked him out. He's quite accustomed to me, my Mum and my boyfriend. He'll even come running to the edge of the cage when he sees me through the window! Such a good boy. He loves to be on his back, too. It's quite funny. He'll let me flip him upside down and lie in my hand. He loves playing with his feet in that position and chewing on anything he can get his little beak on. Darwin is also quite vocal and especially squaks happily when you rub his neck. He's started lying his head down in the palm of your hand so you can scratch his head. Sorry to have ranted so long, but I'm so very excited! Pictures to follow! Cheers Cassandra

Congratulations! That is very exciting and I can't wait to see pictures. A small piece of advice: cherish that time when he/she is a little one! I picked my Darwin out at 5 weeks and he's 13 weeks old now. It is so bittersweet watching them grow as part of you wants them to stay little forever and at the same time you just want them to be climbing on things and chewing everything in sight! It is a very special bond having the opportunity to watch them grow and you will get so much enjoyment out of it! As far as size goes - Darwin is a Timneh, rather small, and he is the perfect size in my opinion! Cheers :laugh:

Thanks a lot! I really appreciate the help. And yes we will be getting Darwin a play stand that will be placed on the main floor so he can come down there with me. On that note, is it not okay for him to be on my shoulder/hand playing with me when I am down there? I had planned on him kind of going where I go....

So I hear! I'm not too worried about it. Sprite, my parrotlet, will scream for about 30 seconds but he's pretty good about knowing when to quiet down. Plus I think it's a phase - he gets better every day! Also he talks a lot and very well and I hope Darwin is encouraged by that:) I'd love for them to have little conversations and maybe be friends from a distance. But who knows - maybe Darwin will be the silent type! I'm very excited for you Caitb! We have about the same amount of time to wait! It moves so slowly, doesn't it?

Okay, here's another then! The only real trouble I'm having now is cage placement....still. I have been contemplating this for 5 weeks now and cannot figure out the best place for little Darwin. Here's the situation, and I'll try to make it as brief as possible. Option 1: My bedroom. It is where I spend nearly all of my time. There is a tv, a computer and another bird living in it currently (a parrotlet), so there is always some kind of action in here. During the day my mum is in and out on the computer. This is where I want him and would feel most comfortable, as I have two dogs who are hardly ever in here. Option 2: In my living room. As it is only my mum and I usually home, we are only ever in there to watch a movie sometimes. But it is on the main floor, close to where we eat etc. My biggest concerns: Quarantining Sprite, the parrotlet, from Darwin. Also Sprite is currently in a bit of a screaming every time I leave the room phase. I don't want Darwin picking up on this. At the same time, I don't know how I can kick Sprite out of my room. He's sitting on my knee right now and it's his favourite place to fly. However if Darwin is to go downstairs, the dogs will be running past his cage and he will not be where I am the majority of the time. So sorry it's so long but do you see my struggle? Thanks in advance

Thanks a lot Judy! I really appreciate the help. I may have more questions as Darwin's arrival comes!

Hello again.... I posted these questions in the My New Baby - Finally! thread and haven't gotten any responses. Darwin will be coming home in 2-3 weeks (YAY!) and I really would appreciate some help. 1. Do you suggest leaving pellets in the cage to be available at all times or only during meal time? 2. I've read a lot about how people discipline their bird and have gotten many mixed messages (Eg. ignoring a bad habit, saying "be careful", etc.) . What are your methods? 3. I plan to bathe Darwin daily/every other day. How early do I start this? 4. I often go to a friend's house to stay the night. How early can I begin this as well? (I would obviously bring him in his travel cage with toys, food, etc.) Thanks a ton! Cf

Thank you so much for the compliment! If indeed the photos "flaw" in it's depth of field was due to a technical problem - keep the camera! It's not a flaw at all lol! Cheers

Thanks so much for the information! Like you said BaxtersMom it is all so overwhelming! I've been taking notes as I read things but then people disagree on a lot of diet options and it just gets more confusing. I can see myself bookmarking this page

Thanks a lot caitb! I'm excited for you, too! It's so hard waiting, isn't it? Also I have a few questions for everyone. Any answers would be appreciated. Thanks in advance! 1. Do you suggest leaving pellets in the cage to be available at all times or only during meal time? 2. I've read a lot about how people discipline their bird and have gotten many mixed messages (Eg. ignoring a bad habit, saying "be careful", etc.) . What are your methods? 3. I plan to bathe Darwin daily/every other day. How early do I start this? 4. I often go to a friend's house to stay the night. How early can I begin this as well? (I would obviously bring him in his travel cage with toys, food, etc.) Thanks a ton! Cf

P.S I know there's a little formula on his face but I took these in the five minutes the breeder left the room to get a damp cloth to clean his little face off!

Hello, I've got updates! My Darwin is 10 weeks old now, can you believe it? He is a week older than the breeders thought as I asked them to check his hatch date. Before they were guessing and I was fine with that and completely preoccupied. However last week I was curious and they told me - December 14! Wow! He is walking around, trying all kinds of food now and is in a cage!!!! I was so shocked when I saw that he was out of his bin and into a cage with his brother. Just yesterday he perched on my hand and stepped onto the food bowl. He's getting big so fast and it is so bittersweet. More pictures!

Well, little Darwin is now 7 weeks old! MY GOODNESS! I cannot believe how fast he is growing! He is also starting to respond to me (yay!). When I went to see him yesterday for the...ahem...8th time...(I can't get enough of the little guy)....he was chirping in response to my voice! I would say "Darwin! Hello there Darwin. How are you?" And he would go "honk honk honk!" More pictures, as promised!

The first thing little Darwin ate was one of the pellets I think you can see in the third photo from the top....a little red fruit flavored pellet. The breeder wasn't sure if he'd take it but I held it between my fingers and he took it right from me. It took him a while to figure out what to do with it and to soften it up but he broke it, ate it, looked up and me and continued his little chirps.