Asharion

Hello! I've been avidly scouring the internet and shops for the biggest and best quality cage I can get for an African Grey while not completely killing my wallet. I came across a deal I thought some of you may find helpful, as I recall a comment from someone saying they were sad that it's very hard to find cages for, say, a smaller Cockatiel due to the marketplace habit of "big cage - big bar spacing for big bird." I cannot attest to the use of this cage since, obviously, I've never had it, but it seems a good thing to look into for those of you with smaller birdies! http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=5059+10346+5063+22937&pcatid=22937 It's only got a handful of reviews, but they rated it highly. 1/2" bar spacing, powder coated wrought iron. Two sizes; Small is 30.5" L x 20" W x 40" H Large is 23" L x 37" W x 47" H (not including the stand height) I thought this was worth sharing!

What a cutie, thanks for sharing with us some of the amazing experiences you and she get to have together!

I've seen this quote before, and adore it. It's so very, very true!

I'm afraid I don't have a facebook, I read up on too many things they did with information that I did not feel comfortable with, so I never went further than signing up a few years ago. I might make a new account just so I can read up on their information, it sounds like a good resource! Thank you for sharing, Muse! And thank you to all poking their heads in to pitch in, it's a wonderful eye-opener.

Oh man, that sounds hilarious! Did the folks sleeping realize it had happened when they did wake up?

Do you have any recommendations for reading on the bean sprouting? I've seen it mentioned many times, and am curious to know more. I'll do some looking around, but I'd love to see what knowledge you think worthwhile to share.

Welcome to you and Roux! I look forward to reading about your guys' journey :'3

I have not decided between rehoming an adult parrot or if raising one from baby staged after being weaned would be better fit. I've read some articles commenting on frequent reports of CAGs being cuddly and friendly with the person who raises them, then later changing their bond to another member in the family. On the flip side, TAGs were said in the article not to, or very rarely, change their affections as such(I don't remember the article name off the top of my head, I'd have to hunt it down again). So, that is a concern I would have, raising a CAG from a young age. I am more drawn to rehoming an adult parrot in needing of a loving forever home, but it would depend on the individual bird. I don't do much travel, though I do on occasion go to historical reenactments, basically a camping trip with history, that I attend for 2-3 days, and I have been looking into options for traveling with the bird. I think it could be a great socialization event, but on the flip side could just end up being incredibly stressful and never be fun for the parrot, plus being a hassle for travel planning. Ironically, one of the first parrots I ever met was at one such event several years ago, the man had been working with them for years. Beyond those occasional trips, I spend a lot of time at home. My job leaves my mornings and early afternoons completely open, though on days I work I would be getting home later, around 8-10 depending on the day.

This has been one of my favorite reads on a very creative, humorous, and truthful account on parronting.

Wonderful words of wisdom Dave, and it's easy to see that you have the parrots' best interests at heart. I don't plan on taking home a grey anytime soon, until I know for certain it's the right choice. I've only been researching and reading up on they and other parrots for about two months now. I am aware it is a big commitment, and any mistakes or second-guessing would be at the parrot's expense. This is why I am going to get involved with the parrot sanctuary before making a final decision; I can try to imagine the level of work and commitment it takes from reading stories and seeing pictures all I like, but nothing beats hands-on experience. Which is exactly what I have been doing, short of owing and reading the parrot books yet. I am making a list of which to acquire, many of which I have learned about from this wonderful forum.

Awwww, what a cutie. I wonder if the real challenge will be keeping him from flying to you all the time!

I've read and re-skimmed through this thread a few times now, it looks like something well worth trying. I have a few questions on it. How long have you been using the various versions of TM for? Do you think there'd ever be a risk of leaving something out of the diet? (I am going to guess the TM is still supplemented with veggies and treats of fruit, yes?) How long on average does a single batch of TM last you for? Any idea how long it keeps in the freezer without losing any nutritional value? (not sure if that is a thing or not) I'm interested in responses to Lino's questions here, too.

Hello! I am new to the forum here, and while I do not yet own a Grey, I am doing all I can to research and prepare for bringing one into my life. One of the most difficult things I have found is figuring out what to feed the bird. (I realize it will depend, at least in the beginning, largely on what the parrot has already been fed.) I've read everything from pellet-based diets with veggies supplementing, to more 'natural' ones that cut the pellets out and consist of home-cooked meals such as Shanlung's Tinkerbell Mash. After reading into some of the ingredients pellets can contain, such as on the helpful list Shanglung provided, I would like to aim for a more 'natural' food diet for my future grey. (assuming the birdie lets me!) On the flip side, do any of you know of pellet foods that lack such ingredients and have the best interest of the bird's health in mind? For those of you who feed more natural foods as a whole of their diet, what are your routines? I know every bird and every pet human has their preference, I'd love to see a variety of answers and what has worked for you. Any suggestions on what foods a beginner to make sure she has stocked up before taking home an African Grey, would be awesome! I am quite fond of what I saw of Shanlung's Tinkerbell Mash, though I would love to know if anyone has tried anything similar. Another question I've been wondering about that I haven't been able to find the answer to; how much food does an African Grey, on average, go through on a weekly/monthly basis? I was looking into some organic pellet diets in the beginning, and wondered how long a 3lb bag would last a Grey.

Your answer helps to settle my nerves on that matter, thank you, Ray! :'3 Though I have not had the opportunity to do so often, I have felt how they use their beaks for moving about. It's such a strange feeling when they grab a finger to balance themselves to step up! I am hoping I can visit at a parrot sanctuary about an hour's drive from my house. Unfortunately once I move that'll make it a four hour round trip, but totally worth it if I can get some hands-one experience and some practice reading body language. I've read Dave's wonderful summary of common body language and a few other sources, but I know 'book knowledge' is a world apart from the real deal. They offer a basic care class. Does this sound like a good idea to you? For those interested, here's a small article on the sanctuary in question; it's how I found out about it.

I've got a few odd things on my bucket list, and one of my top ones, I accidentally crossed off! --well, at least, half of it ;D Ride a horse bareback at full tilt. Very short version of the story is we were out riding bareback, he spooked, and he bolted all the way back up to the house. I didn't fall when he turned on his heels or when he was racing over the grass, but rather, when he stopped on the small gravel driveay! Ouch >.< Still on my list is to be able to ride him without tack, and with that, to have more time to be able to trip up and visit him. I'm amazed we have the relationship we do from the few times I can make the six hour trip to see he and the family he lives with. Still on my list; Own horses someday, Find my 'niche' in a job I love, Snowboard in Colorado with a friend, and visit some of my penpals, one of whom lives all the way over in Indonesia.

At this exact moment, I'm typing for a forum game! Aside from that, doing some moderator stuff for a roleplay game on Minecraft I am staff for, and reading up everything I can get my hands on about African Greys and parronting.

Spring Chicken here. I remember when digital cameras were the big new thing in stores. At one of our family gatherings, I can still remember my grandpa using one of the print-out cameras to take photos, and his was the fanciest one there. Everyone else had rolls of film. I loved watching the photo appear!

Thanks for the warm welcome, guys! So far I've yet to be scared off or second guessing the messes and household damage these feathered critters can do. I am wary about how much damage their sharp beaks can cause, any thoughts on getting over that apprehension? I'm used to getting scratched up or bumped about due to my active nature, but a parrot's beak is so much more daunting. I feel silly asking, but is it very common to get serious injuries requiring prompt medical attention from a bird that has been well socialized, handled, taught, and generally well-rounded in their education? I know to expect getting bitten, whether by accident or on purpose as a warning especially during hormonal periods.

I hope that translates into "Hello, I'm new here!" (also, fair warning, try as I might to keep things short, I am a talker!) I'll give a bit of background for my introduction to the forum here. I lurked for a while before I made an account, and thanks to Talon's help can finally post my hello! This seems like a wonderful community to be apart of. I'm an artist at heart, exploring my creative side through pretty much whatever I can get my hands on! My primary medium is pencil and inks, I love my Copic markers. I also do a fair bit of three dimensional work, usually in Sculpey clay and Model Magic as they're more convenient to use on and off. I've done some work with wood and metal. If you ever get the chance to use a plasma cutter, take it! :cool: I'm a fond lover of horses, and have a good deal of casual experience with them in the pasture and in riding(I say casual, meaning nothing within the realm of formal competition). As for critters in my immediate life, I'm owned by a small menagerie consisting of a 75 gallon tropical freshwater aquarium, my little dragoness Leopard Gecko Bingo, and an adopted hamster aptly named: Dig. My father has two rescue Miniature Schnauzers, for those who are familiar with the breed. An absolute joy, Coach and Sampson. I am in the process of moving up to his property and into my own one-room house! I have little long-term hands-on experience with birds, and I hope to change that around! I became interested in keeping a parrot as a companion as I started looking into types of critters are big on interaction, attention, and personality. I did a bit of research into different species, originally forgoing the African Grey due to being scared off of the slew of behavioral problems I had read about, and that they are not a recommended beginner's bird. Originally intending to go for a Cockatiel, I somehow found myself into reading more on African Greys, and the more I learn, the more I am taken by this spectacular avian! I am very interested in the relationship possibilities and their individual personalities, intelligence, and cleverness. That said, I am still doing my research. I've read through most all the stickies on this forum and plan on picking up some of the recommended reading listed in one of them. In the meantime, I am blessed to have the opportunity to set up my living quarters with the possibility of a future parrot in mind. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. I think I finally got it through to my dad that any furniture he is particularly attached to needs to not be put in there; I showed him pictures of what a beak can do to wood!