BondsMom

This is Blackberry having her morning breakfest.[ATTACH=CONFIG]19722[/ATTACH]

I use the puppy pads, very easy to roll up and throw away...I also use the puppy pads around her cage. Deby

I've have my TAG now for about 5 1/2 weeks and was just wondering if I was doing the right thing by her. I don't have any background on her. I've taken her to the vet and they tell me she is anywhere from 5 to 15 years old and she doesn't talk. She only has a whistle and a chirp. The whistle always sounds like she is calling out to someone another bird I'm not sure. She has a great appetite and will do her "step up" with no problem. I know that I haven't had her for very long and not to expect to much to soon. She loves to have her head scratched but only at night, any other time forget trying. Since I don't have any background on her I was wondering if she was kept with another bird before will she ever get comfortable with me? Or if she was kept as a breeder will she except me sometime? I know not to push her to hard to soon so I just play with her at her speed. Sometimes when I have her with me on the couch and after a few minutes she seems to want to fly back to her cage but doesn't. What does that mean? And since she has talked in the time I've had her do you think she ever will? Is there anything I can do with to help her talk? I know this is a lot to ask, but any help or advise would so wonderful. Deby

TaMarch...I'm so sorry for your loss. I can say that I do understand how you feel as I lost my Bond about 2 1/2 months ago. It was my fault, I let her get loose and she was able to fly away. I searched for over 3 weeks for her but never heard anything. I knew I was the worst mom ever for letting her get away. Like some had said it does get easier with time but I'm not sure how long it will take if ever to go away. I find myself still crying just thinking about how it was my fault. People who don't have Grey's will never understand how you feel but know we all do understand the pain. I don't know if anyone can understand but I felt so alone so my brother and sister in law went out and bought me a new Grey. She will never replace Bond in my heart, I still miss her so much. But they knew that I needed to give another Grey a beautiful life. My new Grey is Blackberry and she was a bird that was surender, so I look at as we both needed each other. I feel very lucky to have her and a wonderful family who understands. I hope this all makes some sense, really hard to type while crying. Deby

Joann Where in So Cal are you from? I'm up in the Santa Clarita Valley. Deby

After having Bond for 2 year, I decide to have a DNA test done. I was told that she was a female but I was never really sure. Well I just got the result and it is true, Bond is a GIRL...:woohoo: :woohoo:

I just had Bond at the Vet Friday and she was 285g and the Vet told me that was PERFECT....

Sounds like I'm in the middle. I live in Santa Clarita which is about 35 miles north of Los Angeles. Only minutes away from Magic Mountain... If I can help anyone please let me know...Deby

I do something very close to what you are doing. But I use TP rolls. I've also used coffee filters and tiny paper cups...I just made a big bunch just tonight this time using brown paper bags cut up. On Friday I took Bond to the Vet for her yearly check up (she is healthy). He was telling me about forging and how Greys do it all day in the wild. He told me to put these little bundles around the cage in the mornings with they are the hungriest. I'm going to string up several bundles at different levels in the cage and Bond has to find them and this hopefully will helps her from being bored during the day when I'm at work... I'm going to try this during the next week and see how it works.

Well I'm somewhere at the upper end at 49. Going to be the big 5 0 in October. The mind says 30 but the body some days is saying 60...

Very cute pic, and where did you get that playstand...Joey looks like he is having a great time on it.... Did you buy it or make it? If you made it what kind of wood did you use... Deby

Thanks everyone, I bet this post will be very helpful to others like me... Deby

I buy drop cloths that are disposible. They have a thin plactic backing and a white paper towel like paper on top...I just cut it up to fit the cage pan...I have been using these for over a year on no problems. I like the plactic backing because it absorbent and it very easy to replace. I put 2 or 3 layers and if it is still dry but dirty all i have to do is remove 1 layer and all clean again... I also use this on the floor under my cage...

Pat Was the vets name DR. ATTILA MOLNAR from Double R Vet center? You mention Calabass and I know he is in Calabass and is one of the best bird vets there are. I take my bird to him and it is a long drive for me but I think he is well worth the drive. I hope everything works out, you and Tobie are in my thoughts Deby

Hi, great play gym...I would love to have the plans if its not to much trouble....I have a big stand but think I like this one better...:woohoo: :woohoo:

Thanks Judygram, this looks like something even I can cook....Or at least I hope I can...:laugh:

Thank you so much for this link...Great book to have...I'm like you I can't wait to start making some of the ideas... A free book with all good stuff....What a Great Deal... Thanks again Acappella... Deby:woohoo: :woohoo:

I think I'm the lucky one...I didn't know you could love a bird as much as I do this one, mess and all. I'm trying to make her as happy as she has made me. Judy, the wood is different size dowels and plywood. We sanded everything really good and made sure Bond couldn't get any glue. We put down vinyl tiles down for easy cleanup. It is on wheels so it is easy to move outside to clean off with the hose and let the sun dry it really good. The bad thing is Bond really doesn't like it much so it's not getting much use these days...

Here is a pic of my playstand that my Mom made for me...

I live in So. California...Mid 70's today...No cold weather in site, just lots of wind...

Casper...Charlie will be just fine no matter what you choose to do. I had the same issues last August. But I was going away for 4 weeks. I had only had my bird for a few months at that time. I was really worried about leaving her because her prior owner had died and I didn't want her to feel abandon for a second time. After several posting here and again everyone telling me that she would be fine I decided to board her. The worst thing that happened to her was everyone in the store fell in love with her and wanted to keep her....She loved it there...I called the shop several times during my time away to check on her...Always being told she is having a great time with all the other birds....So relax Charlie will be just fine wherever you put her....Deby:cheer:

Hi DeeDee, LovemyGreys is right it's not a jumper, it's a sweater made from a sock. I think it would help, but my Grey hated it and tore it to pieces...It was the first and only time I was able to get it on her...

How much food does a TAG eat? I'm wondering if I'm putting way to much food in her bowl and then thinking she isn't eatting much. I will give her an egg some mornings, along with a bowl of veggies, fruit and a few treats on the bottom of her cage. I also will put goodies for her to find around the cage... I'm at work all day and want her to have goodies during the day, but am I doing too much??? Help....:unsure:

My vet had me watch that same video on my last vet appointment. He was explaining to me how important foraging is for the Greys. I save the paper towel and toilet paper rolls just for this. I put treat, veggies, etc in the roll and fold in the edges so nothing comes out. Then I either hide them or string them up inside my cage...Also I find small cardboard boxes and fill up stuff and place at the bottom of her cage...My bird loves these things...

Thanks everyone for a quick response...I have a regular wood burning fireplace, so I think it will be ok....I will just keep a watchful eye on it the first time I start it...