Talon

Yes, Tarm is correct! Hay is very dusty, moldy, fertilized with chemicals, put thru very dirty hay equipment etc. Many smaller animals pee & poop on it in the field. Last summer we had to put one of horses down as she had been suffering from EPS which is a horribly debilitating disease that they can get from possum droppings most likely brought in from the hay....Birds have such delicate respiratory systems. Keep them away from the hay for this reason and the ones Dave advised on. He is quite right as well.

Yes Jay, I agree, I adopted Rikki when she was 2 1/2 years old. I was her 4th and forever home. And YES, they DO come with baggage. Due to the fact that in 4 homes, EVERYTHING they experience, how they are handled, fed, etc. is different. I even had the privelege of emailing or calling her last 2 owners to ask how they did things in trying not to upset or stress her anymore than she was. I have had her now for 2+ years, and she is finally settling in and perhaps thinking that this IS her forever home. Learning to trust so many people and believe that they won't be shipped off again in such short a time is difficult for a grey. Sorry for the off-topic. I hope you are able to find that forever home for your bird. I wish you the best!

Thanks for the update, but I know we are heart broken at the thought of no longer following you ups & downs in your life. We are family, we love you Spock and want to hear from you ALWAYS.. As NIlah & Rikki say to me when I am going out the door to work, "Nooooooo, dooon't go.....come back....." ( my daughter the smart alack taught them that, and YES it BREAKS my heart to hear those words out of their little beaks. :( SO PLEASE DON"T GO SPOCK....WE NEED YOU......

I have 2 greys, an amazon and 2 parakeets. I never intended on getting more than the one grey..Talon, but circumstances happened that resulted in my others.. I LOVE having such a variety of personalities, quirks, etc. It definitely is a lot more work, but with that is triple the fun! I also have 4 kids, and it really is no different than that. One kid vs, 4. However, the kids grow up and move on ( hopefully) the birds will not...... So, I will have devoted companions for life! I do make certain that they all get some special time with me at night, and each one is talked to by name. Also, I will always talk to each one, never singling out just one. If one does or says something cute and is made a big deal of, then I am sure to talk about it to the others. All get individual places in my home that the others won't venture on to, mostly because I have never put them there in hopes of feeling special in their own way.

Oh my! I LOVE this thread! My Congo Rikki has big feet!!! They are much bigger than my timneh's, but exceptionally big for a cag...they do get in the way sometimes, but she has learned to hold food and deal with them just fine.

All have given you great advice! I have one thing to add, my Amazon adores us all and is sweet as can be, but she is very protective over her cage. She does not allow hands or fingers in her cage when she is on it or in it. She will get very defensive, show some aggression and she will lunge and try to bite what ever enters her cage. I respect that, after all, it is HER home and I should not invade it. We all understand that now after some trial and error........ so now we have a mutual understanding.

HI and great Thread! My amazon, Niliah is is almost 16 months old and she weighs 386 grams.....kind of on the small side, although she seems to eat a lot!

Me too! I'm jealous. I can't wait to see pics and hear about the ruckass you two will bring on!!!

there are tutorials in the Photography Room, and the Welcome Room and the Forum Feedback Room as well. I am in the process of putting these all in order together, but until that time....I'm afraid you'll have to go exploring thru the rooms. ")

What a nice photo!

There are 45 birds that someone could no longer care for at our local animal shelter. They are only equipped to handle 2-3 birds normally, but are doing their best at the shelter and having them all vet checked. They wil lbe up for adoption in 2-3 weeks. 2 lovebirds and 43 cockatiels... Poor things.... Anyone wanting further info, please pm me. Talon

Hmmm. Backing out the door. Shame on me, it never crossed my mind. I have 2 teenagers living at home and when their friends are here, I too cage my birds like Dan as the door opens and closes like a swinging door. No matter how many times you yell at them to go in and out quickly, they never do. So for safety sake, they have to go in their cages.

your welcome!

Welcome to our Family! Maggie sounds like a love...I'm so glad she picked you!! I look forward to seeing some pictures and hearing more from you. Any questions, just ask away!!!!

Dan said it well. I agree, my 2 greys came to me clipped, but are now free flighted in my home. My amazon also was clipped and after 8 months, now has 3 flight feathers on each wing and can't wait to fly like she sees the others do! I am a firm believer in NOT clipping, (although it is nice to put your bird down and know that it will be in the same spot when you return to the room... , but that is a huge price the bird pays for our selfishness.)

Is your vet an Avian vet? There sounds like there is something else wrong. Please be persistent and push to find out what may be causing her to be so quiet. Sounds like she is sick in some way. Please keep us posted.

If you don't check the box under your name that says: 'Remember me' then it will time you out. If you check the box, it will keep you logged in until you yourself logs out. Hope that helps!

Jeez, you scared the daylights out of me with that title...

"No Daddy! It's this way!!

Great idea Judy! "No...come back....!!"

This girl riding the horse is in her 20's - her dad just died 24 days before this performance. You can hear the announcer read her dedication to him just before her performance so turn up your speakers a bit. (Also Tim McGraw is singing "Live like you were dying".) Notice that it is just her and the horse - no bit, no saddle. She just uses signals and verbal cues, she's mute. Oh yeah, this isn't even her horse. She is training it for someone else, although she obviously has a relationship with this one. It should be her horse, because she is definitely one with this animal. If you know anything about riding horses, you will know that to stay on a horse bareback is in itself a feat, never mind how hard it is to train a horse without a bit or bridle, or to do the things that she has trained this horse to do...amazing....what a woman... This young woman is an excellent rider. Notice that her bum never leaves the horse, even when it's running and making those sudden stops. All I can say is WOW!

Awwww.......come on Judy, you know all we need is some cute men to play with here... Any volunteers guys??? :) P. S> not trying to scare anyone off, it's all in good clean fun!

Judy wrote::: I could liven it up some for ya if you like, heh heh heh!!:cool:;) GO GUYS GO!!!!!! WOO HOO! This is going to be fffuuuuuuunnnn!!!!!!! :cool:

Hi, things do slow down here in the summer, with vacations, kids home from school etc. Many members don't have time to log in and post, but do come and lurk for a daily update. I know myself, I have 4 kids home, am working 3 jobs and have little time to post, but DO come here several times a day and read the latest and do daily watches...