judygram

Sorry you didn't get a response but I will try to answer your questions. 1. Yes leave pellets available in a separate bowl at all times so Darwin can snack on them anytime. 2. You don't "discipline" a bird like you would a human child, you basically ignore bad behavior and reward the good. For instance if Darwin bites you tell him "no" in a firm voice and turn your back on him or put him back into the cage for a bit. If he starts making a lot of screaming or other loud calls ignore it for even if you go to him and say stop it he will think that is amusing and do it all the more for the reaction he gets. 3. If he is fully weaned when you get him you can bathe him as often as you like but 2 to 3 times a week would be about right. 4. Take him with you every time you go and from the time you get him home, this will help socialize him and expose him to other people. I take Josey with me when I go visit my son who lives 4+ hours away and for 2 overnights, she rides very well, just plays and chatters. I hope this answers your questions and feel free to ask more if you like, remember there are no stupid questions.

O Brother, Where Art Thou - John Turturro

I am so sorry to hear this Mary, I really thought Lacey was going to make it but you just never know, please accept my condolenses on your loss. May she forever fly free at the Rainbow Bridge. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers that your pain will soon be eased.

Can you post some pictures of what you are talking about so we can get an idea of how yours goes together Jacqueline?

Jacqueline why don't you post a couple of pictures of what you are dealing with and we will see if we can figure it out as seed catchers are as different as there are brands of cages.

It looks like it is a little on the small size, what are the dimensions of it? It may be ok if he is going to spend a lot of time out of it, they really need enough space that they can spread their wings and flap and not touch the sides. He doesn't hate you, he doesn't know you yet, those folks at the petstore see him all the time and are the ones that feed him, you would love the one that brings you food too if you were in his place. Can you get us some more pictures of Simba so we can see how pretty he is getting.

I wouldn't make a big deal out of it, you really want to discourage it if you can so try to ignore it for the most part as you want him to keep his food in his belly and not be bringing it all back up for you.

Eve I guess we know who rules the roost at your house:laugh: but Dave is right, he will eat when he gets hungry enough so quit asking him how high when he says jump:woohoo: :lol: :whistle:

If your vet recommends these things then I would go along with what he suggests, he should know. Maybe others will have some other ideas.

Dan is right on, greys are very cautious of anything new so introduce toys and such very slowly or you will hear that dreaded growl. Greys don't care much about decor, as long as they have some toys, food and water they are pretty much satisfied but if you want to make the area around his cage to suit you that is fine but do it in stages and slowly.

Most of them will bathe in their water bowls, my Josey does this too but I also take her into the shower about twice a week and soak her good, she doesn't much care for it but tolerates it well. Some members provide a larger bowl in the bottom of the cage for them to use to bathe in, some will use it and some will not, Josey won't use it so I give her showers. Some members use a spray bottle filled with water to mist their greys for they won't tolerate a shower or bath. I like to finish off with a spray of aloe vera juice, you can buy that in Walmart, it comes in a gal container and use it straight from the bottle, it is soothing to the feathers and skin.

Its a personal choice Joe, I do use a cage cover for Josey, actually it is a flat black sheet and I have covered her from day one, she is used to it now. If you have her cage in a room where you will still be up for a while it helps to cover them but it is perfectly allright to not cover, it kind of sounds like Joey was not covered at night and if you want to leave it that way it is fine.

If you know he is going to come and find you anyway just take him with you, have some stands or perches in different places throughout the house so he can accompany you since he wants to be where you are. That is so endearing that he comes to find you but I would be afraid that one day you will step on him or maybe stumble over him and hurt yourself. I assume he does not have his flight feathers or is clipped or he would fly to you. If he does have his flight feathers why don't you try encouraging him to follow by flying to you instead of walking on the floor.

Ralph, greys do tend to become one person birds meaning that one person is their favorite but that doesn't mean that you will be excluded, you will just have a different one and who knows in time it may change. Just keep doing what you are doing and you be the one to always give the treats so he associates those with you. My grey Josey has always been my bird and only I could handle her but she is gradually becoming more receptive of my hubby which tickles him to death. Spencer may have a preference for women as some greys do tend to favor one sex over another but hang in there Ralph for these things take time so have lots of patience and good things will come.

Yes it is, actually the highest honor a grey can bestow on a person, it means they love you enough to feed you like they would their mate.

Hello JoeFree and welcome to the family, so glad you could join us and we look forward to hearing more about you and Joey. That is some story you have there and I thank you for giving us so much information to get to know you better and I am proud of you for overcoming your addiction and being clean now for 4 years. You did not have to tell us this as most people would have kept such facts to themselves but this speaks volumes for your character. I know you will give Joey a good home and make sure he gets what he needs and he needs love and attention and given time I am sure he will flourish under your care. Due to his age and being in several homes it will take much time and lots of patience to get Joey to become the pet he should be, it takes time to build trust with a grey and he has to trust you before he can bond with you but when he does you will have a true friend. Please read thru the many threads here for lots of useful information and do ask questions you may have and we will help you in any way we can. If you have any pictures of Joey you would like to share with us we would love to see him.

Can't wait to see it when you get it finished.

Wow look at that precious baby grey, that is so adorable and Tuki is a good name, I know you can hardly wait until you can bring Tuki home, thanks for sharing another pic of him/her with us.

So did you buy some 2 x 4's and cut them up in pieces and shapes and then colored them with non toxic dyes and drilled holes in them to hang them up with other stuff to make toys? I hate paying good money for toys and then having them tear them up in no time but you sure have come up with some good ideas. I agree that the companys are making a killing off these toys they sell just simply because they are for birds, they can charge more. I have some pieces off some of the toys that Josey tore up that I am going to see what I can do with them to make her some new ones.

I hear ya on the cleaning of those grates, what a hassle. I do use those grates in both of my cages as Josey tends to tear up the paper if she can get to it and then the mess would be right on the tray. I don't see a problem with not using the grates if you just don't want to have to clean them, it is your choice, why not try it and see how it goes.

My hubby and I took a trip up to West Virginia this past weekend to visit my son and his family and I took Josey with me as I usually do. She travels nicely in a travel cage where she has her bowls with water and food and of course some toys. She started out banging her bell and would get very feisty with it and even hanging upside down on it to get the most out of it. She cracks me up sometimes with that bell. She also has taken to talking a lot when in the vehicle now as she has been going with us now every time and we go about every other month. It is a 4+ hour trip and she takes it in stride. I leave her in the cage throughout the trip, I don't want to get into the habit of letting her ride on my shoulder especially if I am driving, too dangerous on the interstate highways and especially that West Virginia turnpike. I think most greys would do fine on trips and I know other members do take their birds along for rides.

Oh my Susan, Chloe really stressed out about it didn't she, Josey has had her talons dremeled but she didn't get too stressed out about it, I guess some do and some don't. Glad to hear she is ok now.

This is a great looking toy Carol, I bet your mind is full of ideas, how you take ordinary stuff that others would never think of and make such creations for your birds to play with, amazing.

I bet you have made so many toys for your birds but have you ever made any that they wouldn't play with?

The Mexican - James Gandolfina