Talon

Welcome to our Greyt Family! As Dan said, there is no other way to put it...you are hired!! After such an in-depth post, I can see you have given this a lot of thought. Not many people do put that kind of research and effort into their choices for a companion, so hat's off to you! The others have offered you great advice and thoughts. I feel you would be a wonderful owner to a grey. Just remember as time goes on and you start your life: girlfriend/wife, perhaps kids and other pets. Your grey or any other parrot will ALWAYS have to be in your life. As life changes, they will adapt, but you need to make the commitment that they will have a forever home with you no matter what the potential wife if given thinks...(Just my opinion) I did want to mention that I have 3 parrots, I was a stay at home mom with 4 kids, got divorced, moved into another house, acquired more pets (dogs, cats) and was home most of the time, my birds were out most of the days with me. Fast forward several years later, I work away from home full time, so they are now in their cages much of the day. I let them out for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours in the am for breakfast and play time. Then they go into their cages for the day and come out around 5 -5:30 until bedtime. Of course the weekends, they are out most of the time during the day. I was concerned about the change in schedules and lack of out of cage time that they were so used to all their lives, but they adapted very well. I leave videos, tv, and or music on for them. So if your work schedule changes, your bird will adapt just fine as long as it has time out with you.. Please keep us updated. An feel free to post and ask any questions.

I just noticed she appears to be in front of an air conditioner...if so and it is being used. Please move her immediately. The draft is very bad for her especially if she is stressed as she appears to be.

Bless you for caring enough to help her have a better life tan she has had. It will take lots of time and patience, but if you are committed, you can do it. She needs a calm stable envirement. Doesnt sound lie she has that just yet seeing as oter workers come and go. May I suggest a toy or two for her to play with, it may distract her from plucking a bit but you have to introduce them slowly and carefully. She could freak outif you don't do it slowly at her own pace. The others have given you great advice about plucking. Please keep us updated. And welcome to our family!

Bless you.. your giving soul has brought me to tears. I envy your drive and determination. Please let us know how we here at Greyforums can help you.. Where is NC are you, my daughter just moved down there.

There is an amazon that was found in Texas. Anyone wanting more info, please reply here.

Katana600: I can't thank you enough for this comment: "It sounds like such a vibrant place " Everyone in my world, friends, family, guests, call my house chaos with all the commotion that a house with 3 parrots, 2 very excitable dogs and 3 cats bring. In fact everyone tends to stay away because my house of loving pets gets so excited when we have company. Even though it shouldn't sometimes I feel embarrassed by the noise and chaos when others are around. But I now have a new outlook thanks to you!! It's not crazy and chaotic...it's VIBRANT!! I do enjoy each and every one of my pets, love them all to pieces, and usually don't care what others think...

Great idea! I use newspaper and just fold it all in and crumple it up and off to the trash...I never thought to bring a garbage bag in...duh!! Thanks for the new idea!

Actually most of the Weeee's were Rikki who was sitting on the railing in the upstairs...

For those of you who don't own an amazon, I thought you might like to see how much they enjoy climbing and hanging upside! Here's Nilah doing what she does best....showing off! Of course Rikki has to add sound effects as well as my blind kitty trying to find his way thru the upstairs.

That would be perfect for my blind cat who wants out all the time!

I prepare it just like I would for myself. I use a tiny teaspoon of sugar in the raw... Cause mostly I eat it all!

Greywings..I LOVE your aviary...much nicer than mine. I like the full floor to ceiling view! I never thought of chain link to use.. Murfchck, I LOVE the idea about the screen closures. I had installed storm doors on all my other doors in the house for added protection, so that would be perfect for added safety. I do have screens, but won't use them, I put the storm windows on as Nilah would chew thru it in a minute! Kimkim, Yes, we have 2 horses now..down from 3... It's nice to look out the windows and see them in the backyard!!

Thanks Ray, YES both doors will ALWAYS be locked when my birds are allowed out there. I am a fanatic on double locked doors in my house at all times. When I have guests, they are made to enter thru the garage, and then not allowed into the house until all doors are shut in the garage.

Okay, here is some quick pics. Of course I have to clean it up and actually set it up for my birds. But I am so excited and happy with how well it came out since my budget was little. This is from the inside This is the unfinished inside of the roof This is the backside of the living room it is attached to

My birds LOVE oatmeal and warm foods. THey prefer wasrm and I heat up their snack veggies and pasta for them

Oh, and there was a mis-understanding..I have 200 feet of unused mesh I can't return... Costing me $440..

So, I got a call from my carpenter today...he was almost finished and wanted me to come home and see it. ( what he really wanted was a check for the finished product) They were just finishing so I couldn't take any pics, but I am quite excited it was just about done. I will take pics and post them when I get home from work. I wish I had taken before and after pics. The floor was already there as it is a raised deck, there was already a roof, but it is unfinished )on the inside) and will remain that way from so I can just screw things in and hang boings from it. There was a couple feet up from the floor that was framed, so they closed it in and we put wire mesh that's 1 " x 1/2" GAP in panels on the upper 3 walls. There was 2 open door ways, no frames or doors, so we added the doors and frames. The deck is attached to my living room, so that wall has windows into my living room and a door. When I am home, I hope to allow them out there, I don't think I am comfortable with leaving them there unattended unless I am in the house somewhere. Can't wait to clean it all up and start getting tree stands and hanging perches etc. NOW if the warm weather will ever come. I can imagine Nilah will LOVE it! She loves to sit in front of a screened window and look out, she will do that for hours. Rikki....I'm not so sure I can even get her out there...Talon will be curios, but scared..but she will eventually be happy I think. I am leary of this, as now they have no desire for the outside (except Nilah) and don't attempt to ever go near the doors, I am afraid this will change after they get a taste..

Janet, that's a great idea!!

I am glad I finally bit the bullet and had it done. The best part is, it is attached to my living room. The worst part, it doesn't get any sun...

Well after much research on other sites and others who have built outdoor avairys on a budget. I found the wire, ordered it, and my builders started it today. They bought 2 larger doors, framed it in, and are putting matching siding on it. They said they will be done tomorrow! It already looks really nice, I'm quite excited! Now if the cold weather would stop. And if I have any $$ left, I will be shopping for perches and trees to fill it with!

I guess I need to use a paste spread to keep it together..my noodles just pop open even with a little. I managed to cut it up and put it in their bowls anyways. I will see what they ate when I get home from work. I give them a variety of cooked veggies almost every day with either pasta, rice or quinoa, and a few breadsticks or pieces of rolls, so they pick thru it always.

This is such a great idea. I tried it, but I stead of sweet potatoe, I useda variety of veggies. I couldn't keep it rolled up, and when I did roll it, the veggies fell out. I ended up putting another lasagna noodle on top like a sandwich and folding it in half. I will cut it up to serve it but it just falls apart..

My condolences...you did all you could and you let her go peacefully. My prayers are for you and your family, I know it is difficult, but know you gave her the best life she could ever have.

NO I didn't. Nilah has her amazon strut, she does the same exact kind of strut, she fans her tail, struts back and forth while clucking and pinning her eyes! It is something to see for sure!