judygram

Matt, have you tried soaking some pellets in some apple juice or some other liquid to soften them and maybe she will eat some that way, we recommend that for baby greys to get them to try pellets but it is worth a try with an older bird, just a suggestion. Also if there are any cooked foods she will eat like some scrambled eggs you could grind up some pellets and mix it in with it, there are many ways you could get some pellets into her. I can't comment on the Tums idea, you would have to consult your avian vet on that or maybe some of the other more knowledgeable members will know. There are full spectrum lighting available just for birds and some I have seen is made to fit the top of the cage but they might be pricey but just google full spectrum avian lighting and you should find it. Matt you will find this is a busy forum, if you post a question you will most likely get a response very quickly, sometimes in just a few moments as some of us fairly live on this forum and we do care about our birds and each other, you are in good company as you are family now. Let us know what you find out about Maggie.

Seems you found a solution to the same problem Erika and many thanks for sharing it with Lola and the rest of us as others may have the same thing going on.

That is such a sweet story of how Earl came to choose you and you should be so honored. You seem to know what you are getting yourself into and if anyone can work wonders with this grey then you certainly will with your background working at a vet clinic. Earl knew a good thing when he saw it. I know Earl, or whatever name you choose for him will flourish under your care and we hope to hear more about him and how he settles into your home and please share some pictures too if you like.

I am so sorry you are having problems with Maggie but it sounds like you are doing exactly what is needed to get her the help necessary to put an end to these seizures. I can't imagine what you must be going thru when she does this but I hope the vet finds the cause and helps put an end to this nightmare for you. It looks like you have done some research on this subject and are doing what you can to help Maggie, you are a very caring and loving father to her. Please keep us informed as to what you find out from her tests and how she is doing. I will scold you a little for being away so long but I know how life can keep you very busy but now that Maggie is having seizures please don't abandon us now as we all care about you and Maggie and want to know how you are doing from time to time.

Daniel, two weeks is not long enough for your grey to come to trust you yet, it does take more time andyou don't say how old your grey is. I am guessing he is not a baby grey as they are usually quicker to trust than an older bird. I wouldn't force anything with him, just sit by his cage and talk softly to him, tell him what you are doing, offer him treats and leave his cage door open so he can decide if he wants to come out. Another thing you can do is take some toys and play with them in front of him so he sees you having a good time with them and sometimes they won't be able to resist coming out to check to see what you are having so much fun with.

Kids and birds do exist in the same household as in the previous post but it would be smart to introduce them slowly and supervise the kids interaction with the grey. Children, especially very young children can be loud and quick moving, actions that tend to upset or scare greys and they might react unfavorably to that. I would keep the young ones a safe distance away from the grey until they get old enough to know what they are dealing with. A grey can deliver a nasty bite that could scar a young one for life. All greys are individuals, some will bite at not much provocation and others will hardly attempt to bite but they all can be unpredictable so let the kids observe from a safe distance until they can handle closer interaction. The bottom line is there is no danger to your kids if you take the necessary precautions and use this opportunity to teach your kids about the proper treatment of pets, it can be a wonderful learning experience for them.

There are no silly questions, Rissa and you ask a valid one as you have never had a baby grey before. The baby greys are usually more willing to cuddle and be very sweet when they are just that, babies, but as they grow and mature they tend to become more independent and not so willing to be so cuddly. I would recommend that you not allow your grey to get on your shoulder if you have any doubts about being able to handle it. Some of us do allow our grey to shoulder sit but we feel comfortable doing it because we feel we can read their body language. Ifa grey gets excited then the shoulder is not the place for them as they tend to do more unpredictable things then and ears, eyes, noses and lips are too close for comfort, a grey bite can leave a mighty scar. When you get your grey to step up on your hand and he/she starts going up your arm then you use the other arm for him to step up on and back and forth until he gets the message but you may have to keep doing this for a while because greys tend to want to go to the highest point, some even want to go up on the head, that is a definite no no as no one wants poop dropped in their hair or down the back. Your grey will beak you somewhat but then they use their beaks like we would use our hands, to explore things but it should not hurt but soon it should be discouraged for later it may turn into bites. You will find lots more information in the nursery room, there is where you will find advice and tips on bringing a new baby grey home and helping him settle in so take a cruise thru and see what you find.

Hello Edi and welcome to the family, so glad you could join us and we look forward to hearing more about you and your new grey. It sounds like you are going to have your hands full with this grey but if you are willing to put forth the effort it takes then I think you will be successful in transforming this grey into a wonderful companion. We would be interested to hear the story behind this bird, how old is he, what is his name and maybe why he is sickly and plucking. You will find lots of useful information in our many threads so do read thru them and do ask questions you may have and we will help you in any way we can. I know he may not be much to look at if he is missing his feathers but do consider sharing a picture or two of him with us as we can overlook the outside and see his true beauty on the inside.

It is sort of reminiscent of your avatar, the wings are in about the same position, looks like it would be a very nice looking tattoo.

Oh I am not complaining as I have two tattoos myself and I didn't get them until I was over 45 years old, I can't tell what your's is but mine are a rose and a hummingbird on my leg, I love them.

Charlie is a cutie pie, so adorable, thanks for sharing him with us. What is that tattoo there on your hand Steve?

Thanks for sharing the pictures with us, I just love the babies.

I wanna see pictures tomorrow Steve and of course I wish you much luck. B)

Rissa You have some very pretty tiels and I especially love the last one, he is real cute, thanks for sharing them with us.

Murphy looks like a nice bird and he would probably make a good addition to your flock. Thats too bad he was mistreated that way, how anyone can do that to such wonderful creatures, you have a big heart to want to take him in and I bet he would blossom under your care. Thanks for sharing a picture of him with us.

No I wouldn't clip his wings but you need to come to some kind of compromise on the dogs being out while Jaco is out of his cage and it can work for we have numerous members who have dogs and cats in the household along with their birds and they manage. Maybe you could limit his use of the playstand for when the dogs are closed up away from Jaco. Work on that for now and good luck.

Thanks Jason for letting us know but I will scold you a little for waiting so long,:whistle: as you can see we were concerned about Ernie and because you are family here we care about you and Ernie. Thats all we ask when someone has a situation that causes concern among the members, please don't let us worry needlessly again, ok. Lecture over now.:blush:

Hello Rissa and welcome to the family, so glad you found us and we look forward to hearing more about you and whether or not a grey is for you. You certainly did come to the right place to learn all about the grey and whether one will fit in with your life or if one is the right fit for you. They are awesome creatures and if you decide one is right for you then you have made a lifetime committment for they live for 50+ years. You will find lots of useful information in our many threads so read thru them at your leisure and do not hesitate to ask any and all questions you may have and we will help you in any way we can. We usually ask for pictures but since you do not have a grey we do have an other birds room where you can share some of the tiels if you like.

I know you are relieved that is over and done with, it is nerve racking to see them in distress over a feather out of place but it happens and they usually take care of it in their own time but she could have spared you some stress and done it a lot sooner, now get back to having fun with her. B)

Yes he probably will miss you and he will be glad to see you back home but he is not going to forget what he has learned so far so go do what you have to and Paco will be waiting for you ready to learn again.

It being a sign of affection has nothing to do with him being sexually mature, he loves you plain and simple, you will know when he gets mature as there are other factors that will filter in along with the wanting to feed you.

Kim, I don't think you have a problem, he is just showing his affection for you for the regurgitating is a sure sign and you can just ignore the "gifts":sick: No he is not old enough to be sexually mature but that doesn't mean there may not be some stirrings of hormones and that may account for the behavior you described. Some of the more experienced members may have some better opinions for you.

Its a good thing I don't live close to Drs Foster & Smith, I would be broke all the time.

Merlin will be fine in the travel cage until you get the full size one there on Saturday. Sure open up the cage and see if he will come out perch on the outside for awhile, it will give him some time out to assess things for himself. I hope all goes well with Merlin and you and I think if you don't force anything with him then you will do just fine. Be sure to let us know how it goes this weekend, ok.

There are no silly questions here but sometimes there are silly answers:blush: I would have to put my ear up to Josey's chest to hear her heartbeat so you may want to give your avian vet a call for reassurance.