alex2014

When Alex pooped this morning I noticed 3 what appear to be worms about 1/2" long. I called the vet first thing and they asked me to drop off a sample. They said they have to send it out to the lab. I'm concerned because I know it will be at least Monday before they get results. The vet said he was fine as far as health when he checked him out and don't worry because the best course it to find out exactly what it is before treating. I'm really worried. has anyone dealt with worms before? I guess my other concern is where he could have possibly gotten the parasite, I have not changed his diet, pellets, fresh veggies, potatoes and some fruit like grapes. The only thing new to their diet is some red and green bell peppers that i just added this week. I wash everything before feeding. So far Rocco seems to be ok and they eat the same things.

Karen, did you place it on the side of the cage?

After learning more each day about caring for Alex and Rocco I have been reading the posts about lighting. Both of their cages have a play area on top with a tray. Does the light have to shine down on them or can it be on the side? If it should shine down what does everyone do with the tray on top? Should i remove the tray in the morning when I go to work and they are in their cages and put the tray back in and remove the light when I get home and let them out? or just remove the tray all together? I thought the idea of the top tray was to keep them from pooping thorough the cage and onto the toys Looking for some advice. Also how far from the top of the cage should the light be?

After reading the suggestion in an earlier post I bought some adding machine paper. It's now a staple for both Alex and Rocco

Thanks everyone. If anyone is looking for a great toy this one occupies Alex for hours at a time, It takes a lot of abuse and has not broken yet. I am still amazed how he finally gets the pieces out. I took it out of his cage once when I was rotating the toys and he had a fit until i put it back in.

This toy came with Ales's cage and he loves it. I put wine corks inside and he spends hours each day trying to get them out. I would like to get another one for Rocco but have not been able to find one.

Thanks Timbersmom, believe me I only get steak about once every 2 weeks so that means it's only once in awhile for all three of us. LOL

How about a little piece of cooked meat like steak once in awhile? Both of my greys love to fly to the plate when I bring in a steak from the grill, I don't put any seasoning or sauce on it until after they have pulled off a little piece and gone back to their cage with it.

One of Ales's favorite toys when I am not home is the roll of adding machine paper hanging in his cage. You can get a dozen rolls from amazon for just a few dollars and each one lasts a few days. I got the idea from someone who posted it on the forum. Do you have a swing in the cage? They both like to swing and hang and climb all over it since it moves around.

I have had Alex for 2 months now and Rocco for 1. Alex is 4 and Rocco is 2. Rocco never bites and likes to follow me around the house hang out with me. This is more about the progress I am making with Alex, he is still adjusting to me and his new home. He would only step-up from when he flies down to the floor (every few days) and tries to bite if I try to do step-up from outside his cage. He does watch me and Rocco intently and comes to his outside perch so he can see us i the living room Now for some progress: He does come to the perch by his cage door now and lets me tickle his neck, without biting now and takes treats gently from my hand. I have been trying to get him to interact more with me and do realize it will be at his own pace. I decided to try the step-up approach when he is outside his cage by using a hand help perch. For the last few days he is now stepping up to the perch, then i put him on the floor and practice step-up a few times and walk around the house, then i put him on a stand alone perch in the living room with me and Rocco, he seems to like being with us watching TV or reading. Before the only way i could get him back to his cage was to put the stand alone perch close enough to his cage so he could reach it. I now can get him to step to the hand perch and from there to my hand so I can take him back to his cage. I think although slow the progress I am making is good and I am building his trust. More to follow and thanks everyone for all the great advice. I knew it could be a challenge with an adopted grey. Alex talks a lot and Rocco is starting to repeat what he says, guess he is teaching him.

Its was great to see him enjoy it. I'm still working with Alex. He has not gotten past the point where I spray the bottle mist in the air. Watch out for the shower you get when Gabby gets done and flaps her wings on you. LOL

I have been doing the same thing with Rocco a few times a week. I was letting the shower run and he always stayed out of the shower spray. I was using the spray bottle to spray the mist up in the air, he liked that and finally got curious also. Today he ran under the shower a few times then dove right in. Stood under it and flapped his wings and was having a grand time. Good thing i have shower doors, LOL. The funniest part was when he was finished and got back on my hand. We were walking back to his cage when he must have decided I should have some fun too, so he flapped his wings, water water everywhere.

Bob spelled backwards is Bob

Nancy, Depends on what's for dinner.... LOL:D

I can post instructions, a complete material list and the lengths of the pieces and rungs if anyone is interested. If you have a pencil, pvc cutter and a drill, that's all you need. I used stainless steel bolts, washers and wing nuts to attach to the cage. All the pieces slip together tightly. I did not use any glue and I made it so you can pull the main ladder section off if you want to clean it. The only modification you would need to make is if your cage height from the floor is different than mine.

I looked around for a ladder and the reviews for most of them were not very good. The 3 foot ones were $25 each so I decided to make my own out of 1/2" CVPC since the outside diameter for 1/2" pvc which is 1/2" ID. Cost $25 for the pair and they seem to like them a lot and I am hoping they will hold up longer than the wooden ones.

Anyone know what cleaners are safe to use, i'm talking about on the seed catcher. Right now i just use a spray bottle of water, a plastic putty knife and a paper towel to clean off the poop. I read some references to vinegar and water. Just looking for something to make it easier to clean. Didn't know if commercial products like simple green which are supposed to be non toxic were safe. I wouldn't use it on the cage itself, just the seed catcher.

Definitely going to try the fine, Alex eats over his bowl so no waste with the course, but Rocco eats on perch and as you say the first bit drops the rest on the floor. Thanks for the idea.

Hi Brad and Furley. like you I am new to greys and adopted 2. This forum has been a great source of help and advice. I'm sure someone with a lot more experience will step in and offer advice

yes i was referring to the Nourish to Flourish Parrot Cookbook, if the Phoenix Landing Foundation is the author then I will get it from them since the money will help to support a good cause

I have not seen and references to raisins, are they ok? if so should there be a specific kind? How about peanut butter? and is so how do you server it? just looking for different ideas. Alex seems to now eat almost any veggie or grain that I give him but Rocco prefers his pellets over anything i offer him. Rocco will only eat an occasional grape or walnut as a treat.

Anyone have any suggestions where to get the cook book? seems to be out of print. Amazon only has it through 3rd party sellers. New for about $30 with shipping but used it goes from $60-$100. I tried Barnes and Nobles but they don't carry it

I like my vet a lot, even though I have only taken Alex and Rocco to him when I first got them for a check-up. He was highly recommended (Avian vet) and charges $71 for a yearly check-up and that includes health check, advice, nail/beak trimming. he spent an 45 min with us each time. Maybe its because he owns the clinic and loves birds.

I got tired of the constant mess of the newspaper around the outside of the cage, besides tearing it up every chance Alex and Rocco get Alex likes to hang off the outside of his cage and exercise his wings and that send the paper everywhere. So i looked around and got some boot trays from Bed Bath and Beyond, I trimmed the edge off the side of one so 2 can slip together and make it long enough for the front. Now all I do is squirt them off with a hose as needed and put them back down.

What type of food do you cook on the grill that's safe to feed the besides veggies, corn and potatoes? Do you give them and meat or chicken?