Caspersmum

Hi Wendy, and welcome to the site - it's fab isn't it?! Casper likes cous cous with chicken and apricot tagine, sweet potatoes and pasta - but he'd do just about anything for pistachio nuts in their shells. He's a definite nut junkie! Julia PS I love the picture!

Hi Talon, I think CD's advice is fantastic, and I'd add my experience of the big pellet change - finger feeding works really well - I think you can almost fool your birds into thinking they're getting a real treat! As soon as I tried that, Casper took to it like a treat, and it worked just as well on my previous 2 birds too. Personally, I prefer the fine grind - I think they waste a lot of the coarse stuff, as it just falls out of their beaks, so you have to give them a lot more of it to give them the same amount of nutrition (if you know what I mean!). Maybe that's me just being Scottish, but I don't like wasting money unnecessarily! Julia

This is kind of a follow on from the baby's first thread. Casper regularly does really dumb things, and Ilove to know what everyone else's bird does. Casper's particularly fond of hitting himself in the face with his foot toys, then getting really annoyed with the toy and savaging it - maybe you have to be there, but it makes me laugh every time! Julia

Not at all! I'm a medical student, and as my tutors say, no question is stupid if it saves a patient's life!

I have an interesting talking observation, and wondered if anyone's encountered the same thing. When I first got casper I was told that he talks lots and could pick up whole sentences after hearing them just once. I actually believe this, because initially he would mutter away in a broad scottich accent (no idea what he was actually saying!). But the longer I've had him the less he's talked - I'm very happy that he's cut out the swear words (mostly). He's picked up a few things that I say - particularly 'Casper up', and he makes lots of noise - whistling tunes, phones, alarm clocks - you know the stuff. I'm REALLY not bothered about him not talking so much, but I just wondered if anyone knows why the change... By the way, I'm very jealous of you guys in the states - the Beak book is no longer available in the UK - and althoug there are copies available on Amazon, they start at £36. Aargh! I've got another book called 'A guide to taming and gentling your avian companion', which I found really useful

Hi Guys, After Talon's posting about air purifiers, I had a thought - I bet there's lots of equipment that we use that no-one else has ever thought of, that could make our lives as parrot parents easier, and I thougt it'd be really useful to share some of these. To get the ball rolling, I think I've found the perfect pooper scooper for clearing up little accidents - I use an old credit card! It's good on fresh and old poo, and I use it for getting poo off Casper's play stand, and for clearing up the occasional 'accident' that gets on the carpet. So does anyone else have any ideas we might not have thought of? Julia

Wow, you're coming up with some amazing questions! I'd answer them with useful info if I could, but I haven't got a clue! But it's good to get us all thinking! Julia

Hi Sotanax, I'd add afew other thoughts to what everyone else has said - To a lot of people who don't have birds, cages seem cruel. However, if you think about it in terms of how much play space they give a parrot, you have to think in 3D - a play stand just gives your bird about 18 inches of play space, while a cage goves yards and yards - maybe a couple of perches, toys to dangle from, and then 6 sides to clamber over. If you get your parrot interested in some toys, then put the into his cage, it'll make it into a place of far more fun than a play stand could ever be! He's likely to like the top of his cage because it gives him extra height - they like to get up high. Also, he's still just a baby, and they do like to sleep a lot! I'd definitely go along with what people have been saying about the talking - and making peeping noises is often a sign that he's at least trying to copy noises he's hearing. I don't know what everyone else thinks, but I feel that if they'll mimc one noise (like a doorbell), they'll be able to speak - it's just that it's a bit more complex and takes a bit longer, Julia

I know what a few of you mean about the no spare time thing - and I have to say I curse the day I found this website - I spend FAR too much time on it! (for goodness sake, someone tell me to shut up!). At the moment the rest of my time is going into studying - I've got my final written exams in 8 weeks, and have a load of coursework to get done before then too. The rest of my time has been going in to sorting out my flat - in the last year I've had to have it re-wired, re-plumbed and re-decorated. I've just got the re-roofing and the re-pointing to go, and it'll all be finished. I'll let you know what I do with my spare time once I have some! Julia

Casper has pellets as the staple part of his diet - I switched him over from seeds, which he'd been fed by his previous owners. I did a lot of reading, and it seemed that they offer a good balanced diet. The ones I use are Hagen tropican, and casper loves them. I tried him on Pretty Bird pellets before that, which he refused to touch, despite trying really hard to get him to switch. I used Harrison's for my previous birds, but it's really expensive - even though it's meant to be the best. If you are going to get it, I'd advise you use the fine grind - it contains the same ingredients as the coarse grind, but I found that they wasted a lot less of it, and at that price it saved a fortune! In the UK I get my Hagen pellets from 24parrot.co.uk - they do a 2 for 3 offer on a lot of their pellets. Not sure about South Africa though. I also give Casper plenty of fruit and veg - as well as pretty much whatever I cook for myself - so long as it's bird safe. I know you're both pretty new at this - sorry if I'm just repeating what you already know, but thought it might help, Julia

I'l have to remember to wish him happy birthday next year, because it's my birthday too! As to the toy boxes, I can't believe you haven't already got one! If you're after a freebie, lots of wine shops get their wine in nice wooden crates that they're more than happy to give away - if you get a 12 bottle box they're a good size, you can stack them - and so long as you take any staples out, they're also chewable (by the birds, not us!), Julia

I took some of Monique's superb advice, and have started buying baby toys for Casper. I got him a 'My First Tambourine' from Tesco's - it cost me a whole £1.97 and he adores it. I'm not so sure any more, as it's very noisy, but he'll play with it for hours - I have it hanging from his cargo net. His other favourite is a green rubbery ball with a bell in it, and lots of holes - you can get them on a lot of bird toy sites - I stuff paper and sticks in it, and it'll keep him occupied all day while I'm out - he likes ringing the bell, and pullng out and shredding the paper and sticks. He's had it about 4 months now, and it's still as good as new! Julia

I'll add to that - to change a slightly dodgy saying 'once you go flap, you won't go back'! I wanted a pet for some good company, and you really can't get better than a parrot! They do need alot of time to be happy - not in the same way as a dog - but just to be out and about with you interacting with them. I think it's really great that you've not rushed into buying a bird, and you're taking the time to think about it. I think alot of other people on the forum will know of people who've got birds without thinking about it, and have done a terrible job looking after them as a result. So my advice would be not to rush into it, but if you think you can make the commitment, then go for it - birds are the best pets by a very long way! Julia

I had aviator harnesses for my parakeet and my CAG - the parakeet loved it, but the Grey never liked it! And I have a funny feeling Casper would try to eat me if I tried to get one on him! Julia

Wow - that's fab - looks like you spent ALOT more time on it than I did on mine! It's good to have you on the site - I wish I'd had your information when I was originally looking for design instructions! When are you planning on getting a grey? And how are you going to find the time, what with all the other birds you've got?! Julia<br><br>Post edited by: Caspersmum, at: 2007/05/15 21:50

There was something on the news in the UK a couple of weeks ago about old folk volunteering to do the same thing in their towns - and it had a similar effect - tell the boys to keep up the good work! Julia

Yes, I'd agree with Talon - they're deffinitely clumsy when they're really young, but they do grow out of it quickly - and it's good to hear that even having been clipped early, Talon's flying well now, Julia

It sounds like you're doing a great job - and welcome to the forum. And if you need any advice, just ask:P

Hey Beccy. From what I've read, you shouldn't get a bird's wings clipped until they're fully flighted - if you do, you risk them being forever clumsy, and getting themselves hurt as a result, as they never learn proper coordination (the same thing happens in human children). If he's tame (even if he's not yet learnt his name), you just need to keep a really close eye on him once he's flighted and out of his cage. If he's anything like casper was, he won't fly that much anyway - just afew times a day. I'm not saying this to scare you, or because I'm anti-clipping - Casper has his wings clipped. Julia

Hi Shelley, I'd agree with you on several accounts - I don't suppose you could put your mother in law in the garage instead?! (Only joking...). It certainly doesn't sound like a straight allergy. I got my air filter from B&Q - it was about £39, and has a separate ioniser (apparently it can be damaging to birds, so I don't put it on when Casper's in the room). There are also alot available on-line, and they seem to start at around £45. Hope this helps, Julia

Happy birthday - sounds like you're having a good day! Julia

I used to have a ring-necked parakeet who used to chew my bottom lip, then stick his head in my mouth and say Oooooooh! He never got sick, but that may have been more by luck than judgement. I don't do it with Casper as although he's alot tamer than when I got him, I'd still be a bit worried about him taking a chunk out of my lip - not to mention the bacteria thing (and the fact that he seems to like eating his own poo at the moment - what a delight!). Julia

Hi Shelley, I'm no expert, but I've heard it is possible to keep greys outdoors in the UK. I think you would need some form of heating in the garage though, especially in the winter. I think he would be lonely, and the only time I've heard of people doing this is when they have several birds to keep eachother company. In your case, I think it would be particularly difficult, as he's obviously a part of the family at the moment, and it would be very difficult for him to adjust to such a different living environment, even if you did bet him some chums. I'm a medical student, and have worked in asthma and allergy research for the last 3 summers. Have you tried getting an air filter? I've just got one having heard about them on this site - they're meant to get rid of up to 99.9% air-borne allergens. And if you haven't already tried it, go round to your mother-in-law's house as soon as you've all showered and changed your clothes, so you aren't taking any allergens with you? (Are you taking the parrot with you?). I'd also advise your mother in law to go to see her GP to get checked out - she should ask for a skin prick test to see if she's really allergic, or if she has another problem. This isn't professional advice, as I'm not yet qualified, but they're things that have worked for alot of other people. Hope it helps, Julia

I caved in - and for those of you in the UK B&Q sell small ones for £39. The one I got has an ioniser, but it can be switched on independently of the main unit. I'll let you know how I get on with it! Julia

I'm getting the feeling from reading all of the above that it's all just a matter of finding what suits your lifestyle and your bird. I was told the same thing as Sonia when I first got Casper - that he goes to bed at 8 every night. He now stays up with me until 10, and when I put him to bed I cover his cage (he has his own room, so he's not distrubed once he's in there). He seems completely happy - I think you just need to find what works best for you and your bird, Julia