Cabelltech

What a wonderful relationship you have!!! She sounds like one smart cookie and sweet as can be. You are both fortunate to have each other.

She was eating a small amount from her bowl last night when I got home from my nephew's football game. We are having corn on the cob today, so will definitely give it a try. I just hate how fearful she is and I hope it doesn't lead to a biting problem down the road. I tried to give her a head scratch this morning and she kept pulling away and yelping even though she's enjoyed it several times in the past. I didn't force it but she's definitely a challenge now that I'm used to Gabby whose head is nearly always bent in an upside down position.

Thanks. I'll give it a try. She still hasn't eaten anything but formula. She also scares very easily. She'll yell with just a touch. The only time she seems secure is when she's nestled snuggly under my neck and having a soft rubdown. She is nothing like Gabby. She's always been rambunctious and into everything. That part of her personality probably helped her survive while lost at such a young age.

I've had my new baby, Mayzie, for a couple of weeks now. When I brought her home she was being handfed twice a day and eating some pellets during the day while I'm at work. Two days ago she stopped eating solid food. She's still eating with a healthy appetite during her handfeedings. My other baby Grey, Gabby, has been mothering her. It has reached the point that she's OCD about it. Always prying her mouth open (as if to feed), preening her feathers and grooming her feet. It's aggravating the hell out of Mayzie and I try to push her away when she becomes too intense. Today when I got home, Mayzie had not touched her pellets. I let her out of her cage to interact and give her the opportunity to eat while on her play stand. Nothing. After a while, Gabby began her "mothering" routine. About an hour ago, I placed a few pellets, seed and nuts on my hand for Mayzie to eat and she ate it with no problem. Soon after Gabby flew over to sit next to her on my arm. After that she refused to eat and they started going thru the "feeding" motions with their beaks. What do you think I should do? Continue to handfeed her, as is, or drop one of the feedings in hopes her appetite will get her back to eating solid food? I'm just wondering if this mothering that Gabby enjoys is causing Mayzie to regress. What's your thoughts?

I started Gabby off at about 4 months old. She prefers to hop on my head while showering and leans toward the spray to get wet. As long as I don't rush her and let her choose, she's okay. She often will jump back and forth from my head to the shower door several times.

Gabby has adopted the role of mother to Mayzie. She's constantly trying to get her beak open to feed her. It's cute but I'm worried about passing along bacteria. I can't keep Gabby away from her as she is without a cage for the next few days, but I have put her in the bathroom during Mazie's feeding times. Gabby is wanting to be fed too when she sees the syringe. It's just one big circus for now.

She can eat some solids but she still prefers her hand feeding. I'm sure she'll be fine and I'm going to be dedicating most of my time to these two in the evenings. Gabby is having some separation anxiety since she's been home. I could not get her off me last night at bedtime. She's nearly glued to me. I had to pry her off me this evening because I needed to leave for a couple of hours. I really hate to do that but it's sometimes necessary. Hopefully, things will return to normal in a few weeks after she has a new cage and is back to the normal routine.

I just joined this forum back in May before I got my baby TAG, Gabby. Unfortunately she flew to my shoulder one evening while I was heading out the door to take away the trash. Before I could step back in, she screamed as if spooked, and bolted from my shoulder[/size]. I ran off the porch and yelled her name but she was high in the sky and soon out of my sight. I stood there in complete shock. It happened so fast I couldn't believe it. That was 3 weeks ago today. I immediately got on Facebook and put out the word. I printed out flyers and posted them, made phone calls etc. That night I lay in bed while a thunderstorm was going on, thinking of her and wondering and worrying. I could not believe how much I was missing her since we'd only been together a couple of months. The guilt I was feeling was great and I was constantly on the verge of tears. A week and a half went by with no word. I finally decided to get another baby Grey. This one was a female CAG. I knew getting her would be bittersweet but hoped it would let me move on. Last Tuesday someone called me and said she knew who had Gabby and she'd told them a week earlier that she was mine and to contact me. They never did and this person was just now calling to tell me and said she'd heard they'd given her away. I went to the persons house and they lied and said that they had let her fly away. I was so upset because I knew they were lying and had no way of proving it. A couple of days ago I was driving home with my new Grey and the phone rang. It was a woman saying she thought she had my bird and wanted me to give her the band number. Long story short, it was Gabby. This girl was related to the person who found her earlier. She made up an elaborate story of trying to find the owner but I'm convinced that her intentions were to keep her. After a week, she realized she had neither the resources or patience to take care of another baby. Fortunately, she likes animals and realized that Gabby would be better off with me. They brought her to me that night. I still can't believe I've got her back!!! She doesn't seem to have suffered any negative effects. We were both excited to see each other. Now I've got another baby Grey!! Her name is Mayzie. She's sweet and beautiful and I'm a bit overwhelmed. I'm trying to give Mayzie time, especially since I'm hand feeding her and Gabby is especially clingy now. I've ordered her a new cage as the baby has hers. I head back to work tomorrow so wish me luck in getting thru the week. Just wanted to share this crazy story.

That's so funny, Inara!!

Love your pics!! So cute!!

I'm so glad Rocco finally jumped in. Gabby didn't go all the way under but she was flapping her wings. Hopefully she'll go all the way sometime this weekend. It's so fun to see them enjoying the water!!!

I love burnt hot dogs over the fire!!! I'm sure Greycie was a huge "help". Gabby and I aren't completely comfortable with the harness yet, but we keep trying.

Well, it took a few tries and a few gallons of wasted water but Gabby got under the shower spray today. It wasn't a full body shower yet but she got her head and shoulders under several times. I'll call that progress.

They have them online at drs foster and smith. Here's another pic of Gabby in hers today.

Here's Gabby out today with her harness on. The only problem is the entire time we're out she keeps chewing on it. I snugged the fit up after this pic was taken because it looked a little loose. Still, regardless of the fit, she won't leave it alone. Anyone with experience regarding this? Will she get used to it being there or will it forever drive her nuts?

I'm so excited for you!!! They have really grown since the last pics. I've had my Gabby now for two and a half weeks and we are growing close so quickly. I look forward to hearing stories of you and your new baby.

I'm just really glad you didn't ignore your symptoms and went to the doctor. I work in the medical field and I've seen so many people ignore their symptoms til it's too late. I hope all goes well with your tests and that if a problem exist that it will be found and treated. Your babies need you!

Wish I were good at constructing things. The ladder I bought online was pure junk!! Lasted one day. I'm sure yours will be much better.

I wouldn't be able to resist either. Sounds like you've got your hands full. congratulations on your new addition!

After introducing the harness to Gabby a few times during the last couple weeks, I decided today would be the day. I'd practiced placing it over her head a few times with no trouble but the one time I placed it on her, a week ago, she accidentally got her leg inside and lost her balance. That was a "no go". She was not happy. Anyways, today we tried again with no accidents. She was a little uneasy because it felt strange and given the chance, she would chew on it. It was messing with her feathers (and you know how girls are with their hair.). I kept her entertained walking around the yard. I could tell she was loving it even if she was a little nervous. She stayed on my shoulder a bit cause she feels secure there. She'd come down onto my arm some and would hide her head in the crease of my arm. Before long she'd be peeking out and then came onto my hand and just took it all in. We stayed out for about 15 minutes and I could tell she was wanting it off because she kept chewing on it. I don't think I had it quite tight enough around the middle. Once inside I took it off and she was very calm about me removing it. Didn't even try to bite as she did the first time. I consider that a successful first venture and hopefully we'll try again in a couple of days and she'll eventually look forward to it (fingers crossed). We are also working on acclimating her to the shower. I'm turning it on and letting her watch me put my hand in the water while I tell her how much fun it is. Three or four times she has ventured off my shoulder on to my forearm to check it out. She's a curious one! I'm hoping to take it slow and eventually she'll warm up to it. So that's our big day! We both have made great strides in trusting each other and it's great. Now if I could get her to quit pooping on me. Geesh!!! Any suggestions? PS. I stupidly forgot to bring my camera out, so no pictures. Next time I'll remember. She looks quite special in her dark green harness even if it does mess up her feathers.

I have a female Timneh and I'm female. She thinks I'm the stuff--wants to be with me 24/7!! I doubt if this is because she's female though. I'd say a male would like all the treats and head scratches just as much!! I hope you stick around the forum and continue learning. It's helped me a lot as I've only had my grey a couple of weeks. Seems a lot longer.

Twelve years is a long time to be in a cage!! So sad but I'm happy to know that Arnie is now with someone encouraging him to come out. It may take some time but hopefully curiosity will win out over his reluctance to come outside the cage. Maybe if you continue to show him what he's missing by being inside, he'll come out and enjoy the fun. Good luck....and yes, we do like photos!!

I'm glad to hear he still likes to cuddle. My Gabby is only 3 months old and I'm treasuring our cuddle time thinking it may not last long. I'll be sad if she stops. Kinda like when my daughter, in third grade, stopped kissing me goodbye in public. I'll just have to accept its part of growing up.

Today marks two weeks that I've had my Gabby Girl home. She is still on one feeding during the day. She'll soon be three months old. She has adapted quite well to the environment. We've been working on getting to know each other. She is learning to control her flights and will land on my hand when asked (and on my head when NOT asked.) The first couple of days were a learning experience for me and her. I was inexperienced with hand feeding and bird handling. We have both come a long way since then. She is always wanting to be on my shoulder and on the second day she bit my ear. It hurt and bled some. I started feeling a little down when she bit my hand when getting her out of her cage a day later. I thought, "This is a baby. Why is she biting me?" I read advice and started telling her "No bite" in a stern voice and giving her a dirty look. I then placed her on the floor. After a couple of times she has improved although she's still obsessed with my ear. She now runs her tongue along the inside curve of my ear and around to my cheek. It's like she's exploring me with her tongue. Is this normal? She also likes playing with my glasses. She is always super excited to see me when I get home from work. It's then that I let her out of her cage. Usually for about three hours a day. In the evenings, near bedtime, she likes to snug her head up under my chin while I pet her and scratch her head and neck. She gets really sleepy and sometimes starts grinding her beak. That is a good feeling. She hasn't bitten me in a few days. That is encouraging. She's doing well keeping herself busy while in her cage. She has lots of toys to chew on. I tried to put her aviator harness on last night but after having it around her neck for a few seconds, she got upset. I took it off and will continue to try it little by little. I'm hoping this is the beginning of a wonderful relationship.

I buy a package of paper from an online pet store. It comes in several sizes to fit the bottom of your cage. It is white and similar to wax paper so the urine and wet areas don't go thru. I really like it for its convenience. You can place several sheets in place at once and just remove the top sheet daily. It's rather inexpensive. Only about $65 for enough to last a year. Well worth the price for me.