Leaderboard

Jay and I came up with the idea of a Parody of Julio Iglesias/Willie Nelson “For all the Girls I’ve Loved Before”… Sing this to that tune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naPVHcAx5X8 TO ALL THE BIRDS WE’VE LOVED BEFORE For all the birds I’ve known before Who’ve flown both in and out my door I’m glad you came along I dedicate this song…. To all the birds I’ve known before. To all the birds who pooped on me And to all those who just went…wee wee I might have yelled and screamed And even sounded mean You always meant the world to me. The hormonal changes are always going And every time I tried to stray I always came back to you Please don’t ever drift away. To all the birds who shared my life I know sometimes you called me wife The regurgitation was fine That’s why I now drink wine I never really flew that way. To all the birds that cared for me I’ll never ever set you free You’ve always owned my heart Right from the very start You’ll always be a part of me. Your moods are always changing I never know from day to day If you just wanted seeds and fruits Or a piece of toast with some Parkay. To all the birds we’ve loved before Who’s in our hearts forevermore I dedicate this song I’m glad you came along To all the birds I’ve loved before….. To all the birds we’ve loved before If life went on there would be more They just live so damned long I’m glad you came along To all the birds we’ve loved before….. The End

That's a damn shame. I'm glad I don't have neighbors like that. I was down at the barn and all of mine were in full chorus....I could hear their racket clear down there. Our new neighbors told me my guineas were roosting on their roof. I said, yeah, guineas do that. I argued with the City of Allen not to let them build 10 ft from our barn. So sorry (not).

Welcome and thanks for re-homing. Sounds like you have a bird like my Dorian who was never allowed to fledge and therefore doesn't really know what his wings are for. I think the hanging on and flapping is adorable and a good indictator that he may fly one day. As for the stepping up, it took Dorian over two years to step up onto my hand. He came out of a pet store where many children, and frankly some adults, used to poke cat toys and fingers through the bars of his cage, so he came to me very afraid of hands. He would also step up from the floor but never from his cage. My first success was very much controlled by him. He decided that one of the outside perches on his cage was his step up perch, and that when he went to that perch he was ready to be picked up. I don't remember how long it took me to realize this, but the dumb Hooman finally clued in. Just continue to offer your hand as an option to him, and if he doesn't choose to step up that time just tell him that's ok and walk away until the next time. Your wife took an absolutely gorgeous picture of Smokey. I mean, yours were good, but . . . Of course, you both had a good subject. Smokey is beautiful. Keep browsing around the forums, asking questions, and tuning into grey time. Again, welcome.

That's a hit if you ask me. There is more truth than fiction in that song. After having parrots for 46 years the lyrics really hit home.

They're pretty unreasonable, and we've had our share of battles over what I would say has been minimal loud outbursts. All Dexter had to do was belt out a macaw call a couple times in a row, and there she was, hanging her head over our fence line, asking me to bring him inside. It got to the point where I was beginning to have concerns that she'd file a formal noise complaint. Now I only bring him outside when I'm absolutely certain she's not home, but that's not easy to ascertain. In order to protect him, I actually made an appointment with my son's former therapist requesting a letter that designated Dexter as his ES pet, and she did! So...if anyone were to complain, he now has letter that designates his presence in our home as being medically prescribed. I haven't actually showed them the letter, but did let them know that he's an ES bird, medically prescribed for our son, and that his emotional well being comes first and foremost. Haven't received any more e-mails from them, or heads popping up over the fence line ever since. She's a teacher, so I know that she'll soon be home every day, which will make things more complicated. She doesn't have any issues with my other birds being out there; just Dexter. And Dexter loves, loves, loves being out there.

That can become an escalating challenge. Hubby and our U2 had a back and forth for about a year before hubby mostly won.

Thank you, Yes, freely, words are meant to be shared...

All true and wonderful! I saw No shame on those birds faces🙉

Beautiful Jay and Maggie Thank you! Can i share this please?

Dexter is lovely so sorry your neighbor has such a difficult time with his sounds and giving you her negativity. Your new Bird palace is grand and my flock now want to move to your house. Sigh🙄

Ray Just thanks.........

Our prayers be with you...

Did not get a call back this weekend and today I have a trip to Michigan so I will try Tuesday to get in touch.

The more you describe Smokey, the more I think you have our Huey's identical twin, brother from another mother haahaa... Regarding the flying issue: that's exactly what Huey did. Low, flap, then leap and crash land. It took him about two months and he started actually flying. We coaxed him A LOT to come in the kitchen from the living room. He also saw our other Grey, GreycieMae, fly into the kitchen constantly and he couldn't stand being left so he practiced a lot. I spent about two months bolting from my current position to try and catch Huey so he didn't hurt himself. He had way too many crash landings for my liking and we're lucky he never broke a wing or something else. He's well past that point now and can fly and land pretty good. He's not graceful and sometimes will screw up a landing but I don't have to chase around and give him a safe arm to land on anymore.

Yes I have, he just runs away and when i get too close he starts cleaning his nails lol and looking at my hand. I do the 4 fingers with the thumb tucked in he test the perch so hes not biting me but won't come up on to my hand. Then he goes for my nail... I've only had him for about a week and all I've been able to do is give him treats by hand and scratch his head ... hes very territorial but surprisingly he let's me scratch him up top on his cage but he let's me know when he wants me to touch him he brings his head down pretty much giving me the ok.. also when I put him to bed he hangs from the top of the cage and brings his head in for a head scratch but I'm touching him outside the cage putting my finger in to him .... only time I got him to "step up" has been from the floor he does it with no problem but its not easy to get him down there or getting him off his cage

I say go for it, you know you can handle it and your heart is ready and willing, hope things go your way.

I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope it all works out for you (and of course the parrot too)

For several years I have been planning on building my fid family an outdoor aviary. Last month we broke ground and poured its foundation, complete with drains. Within the next 2 weeks the materials for the structure should be ready to go! I agonized over what type of mesh to use, and finally decided to go with stainless steel mesh, 1/2x1/2 inch. Galvanized after welding is so much cheaper, but I really worried about my bird's exposure to any zinc remaining on the wires, so I decided to bite the bullet and go with stainless steel. There will be a chute from the side of the aviary that'll be directly attached to my bedroom window. I won't have to carry them out to the aviary in carriers, but will be able to place them inside the chute, and then they can fly right into their bird haven. Size of the aviary is 20x10.

Hi, Maggie here....After a long night, I was not ready to get up and start the day as early as Joe was🙄😝....so I was trying to ignore him when he went into his cage-rattling, "let's start the day" mode. After 15 minutes, he won and I got up to set up his breakfast before getting him out.... BOY! Was I surprised to pass his cage and find that he had rattled his dish door open and was trying to squeeze out between his food dish and the opening 😁🙄....Once he saw me and realized he was caught, he snuck back in and waited for me to open the door...hahahahaha! By the way, he has also developed manners. When he is done eating, he requires a napkin so he can beak it and clean his beaker and mouth...He will take the paper into his mouth, gum it a few times, and drops it. The napkin will not be torn or shredded at all. He just likes to keep a clean mouth and beaker.😍

Thank you so much 💖

Good thinking on the ES letter. You may have outmaneuvered her.

Sorry I thought I might mention that when a grey has a bad landing they usually split their Breast bone some times hard to check.. Put pillows around his cage if you wish....Thanks

Hello Roy and welcome to our family, so glad you and Smokey could join us. He is a handsome fella and your wife does do him justice, she knows a good looking man when she sees it. As the others have said give it time, he will let you know when he is ready for more intimate interaction but it looks like you are off to a wonderful start.

Hi and welcome to the two of you. With socializing and bonding comes trust, With trust comes a relationship that will be a foundation to build your life together that will last beyond anything you could ever expect. To the future and your relationship.

I agree. Not even a dog can do what a Grey can do. I think it really has something to do with the ability to cross the communication boundary with us. For example just today Huey saw me sitting in the bedroom from his position in the aviary just outside our window. Next thing I know he's pacing the window sill saying "C'mere, C'mere, shower? Shower? Marietta..." Marietta is my wife, she's his favorite. I'm not sure he knew who was in there, he could just tell someone was. Yesterday he was calling me into the kitchen to get him some cheerios. They're like having a kid around.

Thanks you guys I never knew these birds were so amazing and the joy they bring I'm so happy i was able to rescue him and adopt him and give him the love he deserves

Courage. Love and prayers. Howardine

Corky is on her forth cage in 17 years. She has been able to open every cage she has ever had including this one. We are down to twist ties and clothespins. We may have to weld her doors shut.

Yes,Marinol is a trade name for dronabinol. I sent you a pm.

When the people elected to serve the people refuse to do so, it makes it very difficult to have any confidence in the government. There is no humanness, no compassion, only endless rules and unbending stupidity I have nothing but the deepest contempt for those who refuse to help their fellow man. Having been on both sides of bureaucracy I know it is possible to find ways around these endless rules and I also know the stress of waiting for help. Even the thought of transporting Jay the ninety some miles to Los Vegas is ludicrous. I know that is only a part of the situation. Continued love and prayers, Howardine

We have filed through the Patient's Advocate Program (a complaint), More fun, you will enjoy this....since 2013, we have filed twice through both of Arizona's Senators. They have a standard form that roughly says "Please check into this...etc". They send this with the Senator's name to the VA representing your state. The state sends it to the appropriate person at the VA who pulls your file. They send out a standard form to the Senator/Congressman, files this form with your complaint, and then files this complaint on the bottom of the VA files that are being reviewed. So, this holds you back months and sometimes years. Then, the Senator/Congressman mails you a standard form which is auto signed saying every little thing is hunky-dory, finishing off with "Contact me if there is anything else I can do for you". This actually hurts you because it can make your case longer. We bypass this and went straight to the Patient Advocate and Hospital Director....still waiting... What you hear about the VA is true...the Las Vegas VA Hospital is where two vets have committed suicide (one of whom set himself on fire after dousing with gasoline). Again, thank you for letting me vet.... This is really sad..from experience and my own opinion....we filed that Jay was terminal (to speed up his case), because of what happened while in the service. After filing, we were told by a VA Service Representative that that was the worst thing we could do. Being terminal, they have no reason to rush with your claim. So, our personal opinion is, they are completing new claims before old ones. Jay had a "B" average in high school and with his family's blessing (in 1964, when times were different), Jay dropped out in the beginning of 12th grade to enlist in the Navy at 17. He has never asked for anything other than care from the VA. We praised our sons when they said they wanted to serve their country. Jay would fight right now if he could....we are still waiting and fighting to get him covered....His main claim is Asbestosis lung disease due to prolonged exposure in dry dock on the USS Kitty Hawk starting back in 1965. Asbestosis can take up to 60 years+ to diagnose. He was diagnosed in 2015 but because the word "Asbestosis" was NOT used in the medical paperwork from the doctor, it was denied even though the VA acknowledged that he had worked, unprotected, and exposed to asbestos. Now, in the last claim, we have 100s of papers from many doctors that states he has "Asbestosis" and "More likely than not", he acquired it in the military. We are waiting for the final reports from his medical team to complete his claim. OK, I am NOW done....Jay never talks about this because he loves his country so much but I really needed to get this off my chest...I am so angry on his behalf....

No apology needed! Oh, I am so glad your concentrator goes to 10. Do you have a senator or a representative that you can contact to ask for help with this non-human at the VA?

It's obscene to me that you're presented with a bill at all. I'll gladly pay taxes to support our universal health care, and so will almost all Canadians. We pretty much universally believe in quality healthcare for all. As for the VA, anytime you're dealing with a bureaucracy like that you abandon all hope of common sense. Even here we don't have the best record when it comes to our veterans. I'm sorry you have to deal with this frustrating idiot on top of everything else. I hope today is a better day. Love, Marguerite and Dorian (and Jac the cat).

My guess is five liters is as high as a concentrator goes. Sorry if I caused you to be upset, my dear, dear friends.

Thank you so much for joining the Forum..We would love to hear your about your flock and see photos..With your Senegal, I'm going to do some research. For now I would put the fid in it's own cage, away from the others birds...

You're very fortunate. This neighbor has harbored ill feelings regarding my birds for a very long time. The aviary pushed her over the edge with negative energies aimed towards us. It's similar to a stopped up garbage disposer. Once it finally gets going, all the garbage blows out the top.

I'd love to see a picture of your aviary! Sounds like a perfect set up!

Wow, beautiful! Dexter is beautiful too (troublemaker though he may be

What happened here? Neighbor still being a turd? Birdy's getting to use the aviary now?

Unfortunately my camera won't let me upload anything. Think I might have to replace the cord or something. All I can say with regards to the cost is that I paid top dollar for the materials. Everything's stainless steel with zinc free marine paint.

And of course more pictures of the completed aviaries and the birdies enjoying them are welcome

That looks really cool!

Looking great!

Monday is installation day! Woot! Woot!

That was just the main construction. I still have left to do: Wire with electric - I'm getting an electrician to do that because it needs power from the panel and I don't screw with the panel. Lighting - me and the electrician Cameras with cat-5 cabling - me Window wire panels - me Some landscaping - me More rope climbing nets and toys! - me

Thank you SO MUCH! I'm going to take a look at the Suntuf in a moment. I have some additional concerns moving forward with the plans. The contractor designed the aviary with the idea of having only the roof panels; so no mesh on the top. Now I'm beginning to think that it might not be a good idea to go that route, especially if I decide to use the Suntuf. The eucalyptus trees are known to drop branches here and there, so I'm fearful that if I don't have any roof mesh, that a branch could possibly penetrate one of those panels, and then my birdies will fly off into the sunset. He's coming by tomorrow, so I really need to wrap my plans up quickly. Okay..I just looked at the Suntuf website. Nice product! Would you go with the clear or opal white?

Thanks! Would you recommend doing the entire roofing in that rather than what I was thinking, which is to alternate between galvanized steel:plastic panels? I wanted them to be able to find shade as needed, and was thinking that having the entire roof made out of those plastic sheets would make it too hot for them.

Take a look at Suntuf panels. That's what we used. 15 year damage warranty. They sell it at Home Depot too.