tankaray

Our little TAG is between 4-5 months and I had some questions regarding training or techniques. I've seen a few videos on youtube of greys on their backs either playing on the bed or swinging upside down from someones hand. In your opinion, is this tought or just something natural within that bird. My little guy will spend a good part of his day upside down on his boing, sometimes he even gets a little shut eye for a split second that way. In my avatar pic, his one foot was actually tucked as if he was in total relax mode, but when he heard the camera turn on he started to play as I snapped the pic. Having said that, I am having a hard time in figuring out how to take the same playful antics and transfer them to my hand. While holding him on my finger, I can tuck him into my chest in front of me and gently support his back with my free hand and he will let me turn him over. As soon as my free hand moves away though he will grab onto my shirt with his beak and begin to climb up. It happens every time like clockwork. If we don't get this activity down its ok, I just thought it would be best do do these things while he is young so I don't end up with some holy hands later in our relationship...

I can post it later tonight when the wife gets home as its on her cellie. I'd try to snap a pic myself but he doesn't ham it up for me all that much...

Great pic. Our little TAG will do the same thing. He likes to play with orange juice caps and he's always dropping them so the kids will run over and pick it up for him. I think it's funny to him. Anyhoo, my daughter got tired of this so she placed the cap on his head like your little one. I was surprised that he just stayed there. It was as if he was a manican or something. He was frozen so long in fact that my wife had time to go to the car to get her cell phone to snap a pic... They do offer a lot of enjoyment don't they...

Poor guy, I'll say a prayer for him. In the couple months I have owned our grey, he's had a few scary landings etc that earned a prayer or two. I find myself acting like a doc in the box many times checking his bone structure to make sure he's ok, but it's really for my peace of mind. No blood yet, thank God. I don't have any advice on what to look for on Echo as I am new to bird ownership, but I am sure other veteran members will be along shortly with some sound ideas.

It's possible, here's an example...

That first pic is great, your CAG sure is a looker.

Thanks Katana600 & Ray P for the nice welcome. We are still trucking right along with Charlie and all is well. He's a healthy eater and we are exploring new things every few days, he's holding steady at his current weight give or take a gram or two so perhaps this is indicative of him being on the smaller size. Again, many thanks to all. R/Mr. Mom

Thanks Brat Birds, yep you got it right!

Thanks Dave, makes more sense now in regards to the amounts. I just want to ensure that we doing right by him. I wouldn't mind if he kept up a formula feeding for a while, as I enjoy doing this with him. Thanks Timbersmom and luvparrots for the welcome, BTW: we ended up naming him Charlie, I really wanted Oscar, but I left it to a vote and the family liked Charlie. Works for us though as I just say "sorry Charlie" if I happen to drop something on the floor. We haven't had him sexed yet though, I wasn't to keen on the Avian Vets method, so we'll most likely have it done by plucking a feather one day. Doesn't really matter to us either way though...

Hello, First of all, just wanted to say hi to everyone. I've been reading your board for about 4-6 weeks now, and I wanted to say thanks for all the helpful information and resources that you all provide to rookies! I know the feelings on this board and many publications on getting a bird before they are weaned and that was not our original intention, but circumstances and lack of care forced our hand. Having said that, my wife and I were gifted a baby grey from a local pet store via my Mother (God Bless her, she means well). I've always wanted one and she knew that. The little guy is just hit the 10 week mark. This is our first bird, but I grew up with Yellow Napes, and Amazons that my parents raised and still have to this day (birds are pushing 40 I think). We've been involved with this little guy for 4+ weeks now visiting him 5 days a week up at the pet store, and today completes are first week home alone with him. He's a good eater, both in formula and veggies etc. He's doesn't scare easy and plays with any toy, or object that we give him. He also plays independently in his cage with no problems and LOVES Sink baths (though that may change when he gets older). My question is, I've read the sticky's on this board about handfeeding and we have followed them to a "T". Always maintaining the proper temp, amount, and snuggle time after feedings. My concern is though, at 9-10 weeks a grey should be eating 30-45CC 3 times a day spaced about 7 apart according to "lovemyGreys" tutorial. We've been doing that with no problems, though he rarely goes above 40CC at any one time. According to the chart, at 10-12 weeks he should only have 2 feedings a day, but the quantity is increased to 45-60CC's. Does this amount work for both TAG's and CAG's, given that one bird may top out at 300grams and the other can tip the scales at twice that? Should we just feed till he stops taking it (30-40ish), or should we bump him up quantity wise as the chart says due to the lack of the mid day feeding? As the weeks progress how does the grey actually refuse a feeding, does he turn away or will he take it and toss it back up. I am unclear on that part of this. Right now, he also eats (very well I might say) mid morning veggies and dinnertime veggies and soft pellets are available to him throughout the day which are rotated out every few hours to avoid any freshness issues. In the week that we've had him home with us he went from 284 grams to 292, but right now he's sitting at 289. All weights were taken in the am before his first feeding so he was empty, LOL. I know these little guys can range from 275-400 so hopefully he's on the right track weight wise. We've already had him checked out by an Avian Vet who was pleased with everything but his pet store clipping which was against our will and the deciding factor on bringing him home early. Any light you all can shed on this feeding question would be greatly appreciated and I promise not to be one of these nervous dads that ask a question everytime he sneezes... Thanks in advance! Mr. Mom