MKparrot

Nails of my parrot are with poor quality on their back side. The front side of each nail is good, shiny and without any cracks, but the back side of the nails has small cracks. Vet advised me to give beta carotene to the bird and more calcium. Your advice? What food and vitamins should I give more in order to solve the nails issue?

Many birds are known for geophagy. They do it for many reasons mostly for digestion improvement, calcium intake and detoxification. Some birds even swallow small rocks that help their digestion.

See also Diana L.May from the Univ of Arizona article Grey Parrots of the Congo Basin Forest at http://www.parrots.org/pdfs/our_publications/psittascene/excerpts/grey_parrot/PS%2013%202%20May%2001%20DM.pdf and also http://www.parrotfeather.com/greys/congoafricangrey/

Thanks Dave....I have seen documentary showing Greys in the wild and they were definitely drinking water with clay. The explanation of the narrator was that they do it due to detoxification. Nonetheless, I am not jumping into giving my bird green clay...I just wanted to hear forum members opinions.

Some parrots in nature eat green clay to detoxify themselves from the harmful ingredients in the food they ate. Many people (on the advice of nutritionists) every morning drink a glass of water that was previously dissolved a teaspoon green clay (of course after the clay will settle to the bottom of the cup). Packages with green clay can be found in any pharmacy or on the shelves for healthy and organic products in any supermarket and at a very low price. Do you think it's useful sometimes (once a week, for example) to give the Gray some water that previously had mixed little quantity of green clay, just on the purpose of detoxification?

Hypothetical situation: you go with your vet and tell him you want him to euthanize your bird. Bird is NOT hopelessly ill, NEITHER hurt, NOR suffer great pain and it is NOT old bird with reduced life functions. Vet says you can sell the bird or give it to a shelter, but you refuse. He asks you why you want to euthanize the parrot, you say "I don't have to explain you - I own the parrot/it is my ownership/it is my belonging/I can do what ever I want with my bird." Do you (from the legal point of view) have the right to ask to euthanize your bird? Is there a law about this in your country? I'd like to hear experiences from different countries. I also wonder if breaded parrots are legally treated as pets (eg. in the same way as dogs and cats) or they have different treatment? I will write later how it is regulated in Macedonia. So how is it in your country?

...no, not any issue at all. Poly can not see his reflection and he enjoy clear and unobstructed view over the room as we do enjoy watching him...no bars obstructing his/our view. He has never, never, never bumped into the glass. Poly is young bird (3 years) and this is his first cage and from the very first day he likes it. He was never confused with the glass. He knows that there is something in front of him because it is tangible, he touches it with his beak...he knows that it is always there. Actually, the whole front side is a door and when he wants to go out he just knock on the glass and say "Ciao". For the very beginning, especially if you are short in time to look for custom made model, than buy the cage that suits your budget keeping in mind the minimum required measures for the Grey and also look for the safety issues (no sharp edges, no rust or paint damages). Power coated cages are OK and as I said before...always chose new cage over old one. However, if for any reason you will buy second-hand cage, than make careful inspection of the cage condition, be sure to remove all the rust and stains, immobilize all the sharp edges, tight all the loosen parts and most important and above all - wash it thoroughly and make complete disinfection of every inch of the cage. Don't break your head if you will make wrong choice. You can always upgrade and change something on the cage, and you can do it by yourself. You will find numerous tips on the net.

I am afraid it will not work for you. I am from Macedonia (Europe) and cage was made here in Macedonia. The workshop that made the cage it do not deliver abroad. I believe that in your country you can find some manufacturer who can produce the cage as per your drawings and ideas. I just wanted to give you idea that can spare you efforts and funds and most of all - to have a unique cage model. The cage on the picture bellow is 142cm x 90cm x 72cm, open top, front and rear made of 8mm clear view glass and costs around $400.

I have spent a lot of time 3 years ago looking for appropriate cage for my Grey, looking for a model, material, price, delivery terms and charges, quality of the fabrication etc. etc. I've decided to have custom made cage. I've made rough drawings, went to the workshop, explain what I want, made an order and in 2 weeks the cage was finished - made of some stainless steel parts, some powder coated parts and glass front and rear. This way I've got combination of materials and look of the cage that I wanted. Whenever you can - choose custom tailored cage and choose new cage over second-hand cage. New custom made cage will fit your wishes and budget. It works good here in Macedonia. :-) Powder coated cages are OK and are safe for the bird and also paint is long lasting and durable.

My point was just that new Grey owners are usually making mistake when having Alex as a roll model for their Grey. It is a fact that Alex was not under ordinary pet-like-life-regime. Alex was research project and experiment and Alex was taught and studied. I personally do not feel that Alex was unhappy and abused and I am fascinated with his achievements and dr. Pepperberg's study is a real breakthrough in the avian studies and that is a fact. It is another theme - what are the benefits of her research with Alex and other parrots but was not the initial point of my post. I was just pointing the fact that people are expecting that every Grey should turn into Alex and if not so than they are dissapointed.

Whenever a new or prospective owner of Gray asked me for speaking abilities and other skills of my CAG, I respond with a question - why are you asking? The answer is: I want to know what skills I may expect from my new bird? I again respond with a counter question: Tell me what you expect from your bird? And then in response I get a description of Alex. Sometimes it is very difficult to explain that it is totally unrealistic to expect that even with a large and regular commitment and love for the bird at home, still their Grey will not became same or largely similar to Alex. Тhey tell me that their birds are excellent specimens of great and controlled descent, hatched to smart parrot-parents, and I tell them that Alex was just an ordinary little parrot randomly bought in a pet shop. Alex was not especially gifted nor selected and was not special "per se' " at the beginning. Alex became famous because Alex was scientific experiment or more preciously very successful experiment (even his name is abbreviation of Avian Learning EXperiment). "Alex the Great" is a result. Alex did not live in the house and spent the day as millions of other pet-parrots. Alex lived in the laboratory and was under 24/7 care, observation and studying of d-r. Pepperberg and a large group of students and dedicated associates. Working with Alex was through confirmed and a lot of new methods of learning and communication. Alex was not trained - Alex was taught. Alex was subject to hundreds and hundreds of repetitions of every single operation he taught, to confirm referent statistical results. Alex was taught to understand the essence of concepts and abstract of things. And because of that Alex is unique - Alex was able to understood and willingly communicate and draw the conclusions and most of all he was showing self-progressive advanced upgrade. His cognitive abilities were remarkable, but the point was/is: those are not exclusively his abilities but cognitive abilities of parrots. What are the scientific benefits out of Alex and d-r Pepperberg's study - it is another story. My point is that new Grey owner MUST know the above otherwise they will be disappointed with their bird just because they will always compare it with Alex. My advice to them is always, that they should decide if they want Alex Grey or just a Grey because every Grey is a beautiful parrot, pet, companion and individual. So if they still expect to have Grey like Alex and if it turns not to be so, it is not Grey's fault but it is only their (owners) fault - every Grey do have an "Alex" potential and abilities but the owner is the one who will have to shape them. Do not ask me if your parrot may became Alex, ask yourself if you can "became" d-r Pepperberg. Does anybody else share my opinion on this or I am too strict and unfair to the new Grey owners that just want to shape up their own Alex and noting less? Sorry for my broken English, but I hope you got my point.

...it is not matter if the moon is shining or it is cloudy, if the moon light gets into the room or not, if Poly can see the moon or not - it is just that period of 2-3 days of the fool moon. Poly can not see the moon, because the room windows are not facing east, his cage is properly covered, so it is not moon light that cause him being nervous. He is not nervous during the night - when he go to sleep he sleeps well just like any other night, but during the day/days he is biting with no visible cause and it is just for those 2-3 days. Many people claim they are sensitive to the moon although some scientist disagree on this, but some agree (there is even abbreviation MSP - moon sensitive people). Those who believe in moon sensitivity have made the following "chart" : FULL MOON: The Full Moon influences the psyche of animals with noticeable intensity. Veterinary staff and Animal Control keep busy during this phase. When an animal is upset during the Full Moon they tend to be restless. Dogs and wolves are known to howl during the Full Moon phases, while birds become agitated and become disoriented. Cats hide. The Full Moon tends to rattle both humans and our pets' emotions. NEW MOON: For a sensitive animal, the New Moon, not unlike the Full Moon, supports intention and therefore it is a time to change old habits which block awareness. It is a time to tune into nature's vibrations-which many cats, dogs, other domestic and wild animals may do. Animals seem to naturally tune into the New Moon phase, understanding it is a time to chill even though this can be a challenge. The animals' senses are heightened and sensitivity will be seen in each New Moon phase. SUPER MOON: Unlike a Full Moon and New Moon, this phase is when an alignment of the Sun, Moon, and the Earth called perigee-synergy occurs when the Moon is at its closest to Earth (perigee). Animals tend to be ultra sensitive during this time of a very big full moon. Like humans, the power of the electromagnetic fields during a Full Moon phase interacts with our own magnetic field increasing the ability to sense or feel the stress around us. The animals tend to notice the interaction quicker as it is part of their survival instincts to stay away from danger or snuggle with a caregiver. WANING MOON: The Waning Moon is a time when sensitive animals will tune into their sixth sense and know it is time to hunt, gather food, and build their homes in order to protect their family and prepared for the future. The Waning Moon, unlike the Full, New, Super Moons acts like a brake. For an animal, domestic or wild, it is a time to put natural instincts and the nesting mode into action for self preservation. WAXING MOON: Sensitive animals use the Waxing time frame to rest, to heal, and to become more aware and alert to its surroundings. It is an interval to slow down. Sleeping and staying calm are par for the course of this moon phase-unlike the other action-oriented lunar phases. It is a period when animals become more aware of the connection between the soul, mind, and the body. It is a time of awareness of well-being and celebration of life. BLUE MOON: The Blue Moon occurs when there are two Full Moons in one month. In other words, this lunar phase is much like the Full Moon and repeats its patterns. The difference between the two Full Moons comes from the astrological sign the moon is passing through therefore the intensity of one Full Moon would affect an animal's psyche in one area of life and the second one in another area of life. It is like our companion animals and wild animals get a double dose of the Full Moon and its intense vibrations on Earth. But note, emotions are no more on edge that at any other Full Moon.

My CAG Poly bites only during the period of fool moon, For those 2-3 days Poly is not in a mood for anything, he don't speak, don't play, AND BITES HARD....he is probably turning into werewolf :-) Nonetheless, he does not bite when I am cleaning his cage, giving him food and water. After this 2-3 "critical" days he is OK again - playful, dynamic, talkative, curios. Does anybody else have similar experience with " werewolf-parrot" ?

Hi Dennis, great videos. You birds are beautiful.

...yes, but sometimes it works for the breeders to make confusion. CAG (1 month old, hand fed, l) is in a range of 800 EUR in Macedonia, Slovenia, Serbia and Croatia but Cameroon market price is always 100 EURO higher.

Last few years some breeders in Southern Europe made strong marketing for "Big Silver" or "Cameroon Grey", claiming those are sub-spicy of the Congo Grey. Some people are debating that Cameroon Grey is really different (bigger, sometimes red-factor occur, and with little lighter grey color). On the other hand some people think that it is just a marketing trick or scam, claiming that it's the same species. Breeders are just putting names on them such as "King" or "Cameroon" usually so that they can get more money for the birds. Does anybody own Cameroon Grey and will share some pictures with us in order to see the visible differences from CAG.?

Hi Rah, My suggestions are as follows: - bring the parrot's cage in thе room where he will be with the people almost all the time. - put a lot of branches of willow tree in the cage with the leaves on (wash them thoroughly) Let your grey to chew them - when your Grey is alone, turn TV or radio loud. Let him get use to a loud sounds. - when he screams do not clap your hands, do not shout on him since he will start screaming louder to "produce" your reaction. Especially, do not give him any food or threats. You should live the room and left him alone in the room. You should come back in the room when he will calm down. He is a flock bird and will appreciate when you will be back in the room. In a month or so, he will understand that screaming means being alone, and getting calm means company in the room. - while this process, consider decreasing the quantity of food you are giving him. You should give him smaller quantities of food on the daily basis and absolutely to avoid any nuts and vitamin substitutes. NO SUGAR at all, no candies. Reduce the fruits, give him just apple. Consider any diet that will keep him snug but with no explosive and "sparkling" energy. Do not practice this diet longer than a month. - when bathing him, use colder water than you usually use. Soak him well and take him back to the stand, not in the cage. - if his stand is on higher level compared to your siting position, you should shorten the stand height and make it to be on your eyes level or little lower. Subordination is important for Greys and this way you are sending him appropriate message. His stand is on your territory but there you are the boss. - if he bites when he is in the cage, do not insist on putting your fingers in. Greys are flock birds but as a pets they may become very territorial and putting your fingers in is endangering his territory. - when he is on the stand reach for him slowly with one hand, and when he will prepare to bite (I assume you can recognize his body language) than distract him with your other hand (touch him tenderly with a stick). repeat this as many times as possible every day and you will see that he will let you to get your hand closer and closer until you touch his beak. - look at your bird while talking to the bird. By the way, does he bite you when you are giving him food? This is not the recipe to solve the problem, but are few tips that may help in decreasing it (less screaming). Consider that some birds are very nervous during the fool moon period. My parrot turns into wear-wolf in those days :-) so I do not touch him, do not play with him. Sorry for my broken English...I hope you will find some of the tips useful.

Macedonia is small country and Skopje has around million citizens, so it is obvious that it is easier to find lost pet. Also, it is not usual that someone will ask for money to give you back your pet - but unfortunately this was the case with my bird. It is fortunate that those people were not aware how much CAG costs nor that it is CAG...it was just a bird for them. Theoretically, I could have called police and prove them that Poly is mine because he has leg ring and under-skin chip but I am not sure that Police would have take me serious. On the other hand, people who found Poly might have find his price (around 1200 US$) and to hide it and to sell it to somebody else half price (just remove the ring and "dig-up" the chip and bird is not your anymore).

Thank you! It is also good with this cage that rear side is also made from glass and you can put different wall papers on the outer side...you just print what you like, although Poly is a bit confused for an hour or two with the new cage background.

I like this "...If angels are real they will have red tails..." :-)

Heh...I like your idea of them getting skin disease "down there"

...no, Poly is not tethered.

Thank you all for your welcoming messages. Poly is 3 years old. He is very dynamic and never stop talking. His food is consist of mixed seeds, nuts and fresh fruits and vegetables. So far I have never gave him pellets. His cage is custom made with front and rear made of 8mm clear view glass. Most interesting episode of his life so far, happened 2 years ago (he was 1 year old at the time). He "decided" to "explore" the world so he opened the door of the cage and flew out through the balcony. After 10 hours of walking around the neighborhood, searching and calling after him, and dozen of e-mails and 500 distributed leaflets later, a "friend of a friend's friend of my daughter's friend according to anonymous sources" :-) has passed an info that Poly was found a few kilometers away from home. Few minutes later I have received call on my mobile but from encrypted/hidden number. Raspy voice said: "If you want your bird back, you should rise the award you have promised in your leaflets" If you agree, we'll meet you at the gas station near the Skopje Fair, and once you will show me the money I will bring you the bird" I could not believe my ears ! I thought that someone is making fun of me. Looking for Poly turn to be "hostage rescue operation" and reward I have offered become "ransom" Half an hour latter two guys meet me and after half an hour of negotiations and haggling we agreed on the "ransom" and they took me to their house and I had Poly back. :-)

Hello everyone. My name is Jovan, I am 49 and I am from the city of Skopje, Macedonia. I have 3 years old CAG - Poly. I have joined the forum in order to exchange some experience on CAGs and to discuss different issues regarding these beautiful birds.