Greytness

Hi Jenn, and Welcome to both you and Vannah! Greys are by nature very cautious. The key to winning over a grey is to allow her to let you know what she's comfortable doing. Once we inject what we want onto them, you've taken a few steps back. Having just recently lost her home, it'll take time for her to go through her mourning stage followed by accepting her new home and flock members. Exercise patience and proceed based upon her queues. Congrats to you!

As long as she receives and eats a wide variety of fresh veggies, some fruit, a few nuts, and sprouts as her dietary base there's no need to incorporate pellets into her diet. A small amount of a high quality seed blend is okay, too.

Put it onto a food he likes and serve it that way.

Thank you for the update! That's fantastic that he's doing so much better! As long as he's primarily getting a wide variety of veggies, including leafy greens and yams, some fruit, some good quality pellets, and a few nuts daily or as training treats, then seeds aren't really a necessary part of the diet. Several of my flock of 13 actually don't get any seeds. This decision was based upon researching species-related diet recommendations. If the diet is widely varied and fresh, even pellets aren't truly necessary. After all, birds don't receive machine made pellets in the wild. For other great ideas for evidence based diets, look up Dr. Jason Crean. He specializes in avian nutrition and is very well known within the avian community here in the US. I've learned quite a lot from his teachings. Please continue to keep us posted! Oh, as for the infrared lights, I'm not an expert, but don't believe it should be a problem. Perhaps someone could confirm?

How is your baby doing?

Fantastic. You're such a loving, caring grey owner! Wish there were more people like you out there who advocate for their birds.

He looks to be creating a sound that's pleasing to him.

Without having a blood test you can't know for certain if he's calcium deficient. I'd be cautious about giving him anything supplemental without knowing for sure. He will get what he needs if you transition him over to a wide variety of veggies. Fruit is high in sugar, so it's best not to give him primarily a fruit diet. If he's not eating veggies, and if you have access to blended vegetable juices, you could try giving him his veggies via a drink. My flock love to sip veggie juice off a spoon! Spinach binds with calcium, so it's best to avoid spinach.

That's great to hear! I'd definitely bump up more on veggies, especially vitamin A rich foods. Yams are high in vitamin A. Grays need A. Leafy greens are great: kale, chard, dandelion greens. If he won't eat them plain, then finely chop them up into a yam.

Taha, There's another way to have him tested outside your country. This company, located in the UK, will analyze blood sampling for a wide variety of avian maladies. I know of a bird owner who used their services to adequately diagnose their bird. You have a blood sample obtained and then you send it directly to their lab. Here is that link: https://www.animalgenetics.eu/Avian/avian-cost-pound.html

What a love! They usually drop a tad bit of weight during weaning/fledging.

Try this: https://www.justanswer.com/sip/bird-veterinary?r=ppc|ga|26|General - Rest of World - Search|Avian Vet|&JPKW=avian vet online&JPDC=S&JPST=&JPAD=367739556949&JPMT=e&JPNW=g&JPAF=txt&JPRC=1&JPCD=20190717&JPOP=TM-H2HybridsAds&cmpid=17685483&agid=2065716483&fiid=&tgtid=kwd-38125846671&ntw=Search&dvc=Desktop&r=ppc|ga|1|||&JPKW=avian vet online&JPDC=S&JPST=&JPAD=367739556949&JPMT=e&JPNW=g&JPAF=txt&JPRC=1&JPCD=&JPOP=&cmpid=17685483&agid=2065716483&fiid=&tgtid=kwd-38125846671&ntw=g&dvc=c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5o7QzNyl6gIVCr3ACh1KQw-aEAAYASAAEgLaOPD_BwE

I can only imagine how frightening this all must be. I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't find the proper vet. Unless his cage bars are zinc coated galvanized steel, then it's doubtful his seizure was from a metal or zinc toxicity. The pellet could be suspect if it's not a well known brand such as Tops, Harrisons, Roudy Bush, etc. His diet should be high in fresh veggies, some fruit, a few nuts, some seed, millet, fresh sprouts. Avoid sunflower seeds unless used as a treat from time to time. If you are giving him peanuts in a shell, those should be avoided due to the possibility of them having aspergillus. I wonder if there's such a thing as a phone in avian vet service available. They have them for humans, so I'm thinking there could be someone you could consult with over the phone or via an internet chat. It's just a wild thought, but something you might want to see if anything like this exists. Until you find out why he seized, you are only treating the symptoms; not the underlying cause. What country are you in?

Seizures are extremely difficult to watch. I'm so sorry your young baby isn't doing well. I have a few questions for you: what is his curren t diet? Does he chew on anything that's metal (ie: cheap bells hanging on pre-made toys) What type of metal are the bars from his cage? Birds can stroke if they have heavy metal poisoning. Did this vet do any swabs to rule out infection? Aspirgillus is a fungal infection that should be looked into. The unfortunate thing is that you don't have access to a vet that specialized in birds. It may be worth looking into finding one that you could travel to outside your city. Stay strong, and please keep us posted.

Not sure if you're a FB person, but there's a group that I've heard a number of people recommend over the years called 'parrot first aid'. I'm not a member, but it might be a group to consider joining for a bit.

I agree. Something's amiss. You may need to get a second opinion with an avian vet soon.

I know someone whose grey stopped talking suddenly. Took him to the vets and he swabbed positive for aspergillus. If he continues not to talk, then definitely take him in to be evaluated.

I just want to scoop her up and give her lots of birdie kisses.

I'm so so sorry to hear about Jay, Maggie. I always appreciated his posts and applaud his tremendous will to live. Praying for comfort and peace as you learn to live life without him. Rest well, Jay. ❤️ You made a difference.

I put a teensy tiny dab on their food daily. They love it!

Such a sweet girl. Love the coloring of her wings!

He's right on schedule!

Hi! 6 months of age is about the age when they go through their first molt. It sounds like you're doing everything well! Misting and bathing will definitely help. You little one is super cute!

Welcome to Greyforums!

My eye is throbbing just looking at your pic. You're so darn lucky that he didn't snag your eyeball!