danmcq

No problems with recommending brands here. I also use a water and vinegar solution to clean the cages. I purchased both my cages from King Cages. This is Dayo's cage: http://www.kingscages.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=ELT_3628

If Inaras cage is only two year old and has scratches and chips in the powder coating. I think the cause would either be owner induced during assembly, tools hitting it hard, using too abrasive cleaning tools, strong chemicals or lastly a really poor job of powder coating it. Jakes cage is 8 years old and Dayo's is almost 7 years old. These cages are rolled outside and get soaked when I give both birds a shower while in their cages on those warm summer days. Neither have any scratches, chipped coating or rust. I will say in regards stainless steel. Not are are the same quality due to different grades of stainless used when constructing them. Stainless can rust over time as well, just a lot longer before it happens. In my opinion the high cost of stainless versus powder coated cages is just too high. Also, when you decide to replace the cage with a different size or style, powder coated makes it much more easy on the pocket book.

Greyt update on Gilda. You CraZy bird lady!

Good thoughts and comments. In my opinion, parrots are as communicative as Humans. When one truly listens not just to the human words spoken, but sounds as well. They will soon realize those sounds from whistles to dinks all are used to reflect a thought about whats happening or not happening. My Grey uses a DINK sound that clearly means the response he received was NOT what he wanted to hear. Has also has a whistle type sound that truly sounds pathetic and instantly brings the thought to mind that it is a very sorrowful sound. He uses it when he hears "We have to go to xxxx". Other times he will just say "See ya later". If he wants a drink of water, he will either say "Drink of water" or make the water dripping sound. They are constantly communicating both in Human and Parrotese. We should all be listening carefully if we wish to truly appreciate just how communicative they are.

Toby fits the perfect description of what I posted at the beginning of this thread. Not every grey is like that, but they are in varying degrees. 1) Resisting being put on his perch or in his cage (by biting *hard* and scratching, hanging off my sleeve) * This is normal and you just need to be consistent in making sure you place him where you want him. He will soon learn resistance is futile. 2) Flying around the room and landing on my head (happens 4-5 times a day) and chewing my hair, headset, or whatever he can get his beak on * You need to duck as you hear him flying towards you so he misses. If he does land on your head, bend forward quickly so he must fly away. He will soon learn your head is not a good landing spot. Be consistent with this. 3) Screaming or whistling whenever he loses sight of me * This is normal contact calling. Ignore it or just tell him your "Busy" or describe what your doing. He will then become accustomed to this and may still contact call, but less often. Be consistent in this. 4) Climbing down from his cage, coming to my desk and biting my ankles until I pick him up * Pick him up before he gets to your feet and place him on a stand or in his cage. He will learn it is not acceptable behavior. Be consistent in this. 5) Getting in the middle of everything during meals - tries to steal food, put his head in the water glass, running off with a fork * This is normal. They want to eat with the flock. If you do not wish for him to be there with you eating a meal. Then you need to cage him during your meal time. The key to all of this, I repeated many times.... Be Consistent.

Oh no, so sorry to hear this. it is heart breaking just reading it.Words cannot express the grief and flood of feelings I have after reading this. I can only offer you my heart felt condolences and prayers.

Everyone has views and opinions on Alex. There is no "One" correct view in my opinion. I have read all of Irene's books, listened to her media interviews, watched the videos and corresponded directly with her several times. I have purchased and read in addition to Irene's books, Conversations with Cosmo. In addition I have followed Virginia Bush on her forum that combines her many years as an English as a Second Language teacher, her 11+ years of living with her African Grey Chaucer, with the experiences of members of Avian Cognition Forum, the Yahoo group she founded and moderates, to form a unique approach to understanding the development of the use of human language by companion parrots. In this class she will talk about the ability of parrots to learn and use human language to communicate meaning fully I have always had several emotional feelings on Alex and his laboratory environment such as awe inspired, happy, sad etc. However, as said a lab environ is a whole different world and needed to be a controlled environment with strict adherence to correct documenting and recording "Proof" of the intellectual abilities Alex possessed. I loved his knowledge, wit and humor. As anyone though, he would get bored and maybe even feel ill with his health issues and thus the "wanna go back". Thats what would break my heart. It should have been respected at least sometimes to give him a break and just chill. This topic of whether it was cruel or not could be debated until hell freezes over. I personally do not think it was cruel and I know Alex was treated well, loved by Irene, his trainers and helpers. The results from this study "Rocked" the scientific community with proof of intellengce, understanding of human language and a host of mental skills rivaling that of a human 6 year old all wrapped up in a 1lb African Grey Parrot with a brain the size of a Walnut named Alex. It was undeniable proof and I believe we as grey owners especially should be applauding Dr. Irene Pepperberg and Alex for their unrelenting work and sacrifice to produce the scientific documentation that will carry on through out history.

Congratulations on bringing your baby grey home and welcome to you and Zazu! Yes, just do as you are by letting him settle in and get used to the new home and family. If he starts wanting to come closer, then do so. Just keep a calm and loving environment for him and he will start feeling relaxed as well. Let him set the pace of when interaction up close is desired. You can of course let him out when you are certain you have the room area safe and windows, mirrors etc. covered or closed so he can't fly in to one.

I would suggest since you say this is a hair oil, that you wash your grey with dawn dish soap. It is what wild life rescues use when birds are coated in oil. You do not want that oil to stay soaked in to your birds feathers. If your grey did in fact actually eat some of that oil, you do ned to get it to an avian vet asap. I am hoping and praying for the best for you and you grey.

You do want a powder coated cage. It is the industry standard because it is a very hard coating and resists chipping and flaking. The other cages that you can buy are stainless steel, but they are very expensive.

Welcome Shane. It's GreYt having you here. It's always good to see a person research to be ready before bringing their first grey home. I look forward to hearing more from you.

Well, I personally would not use the Mung Beans in the sprout mix. There are some in the parrot community that do though with no apparent health issues displayed in their parrots. I cook all bean mixes and freeze in small individual baggies and serve every couple of days. I only sprout seeds sometimes for a change up the birds seem to enjoy.

Large beans like Anasazi, Black, Fava, Kidney, Lima, Mung, Navy, Pinto, Soy, are not suggested for sprouting. These legumes can cause toxicity and remain difficult to digest. Their raw flavor is also very bad. If choose to serve these to your bird they MUST be soaked for a minimum of 8 hours, water drained and beans rinsed well, and then cooked by bringing them to a full boil, boiling uncovered for 10 minutes, covered and simmered for another 20 minutes. If you want to sprout healthy items for your grey, i would sprout seeds, not beans. Thats my opinion anyway.

LOL @ my dating days! Gilda is certainly coming out of that shell and is peeling like an onion, layer by layer. I am so happy for you and her. I look forward the the almost daily updates of new things.

LOL BaileysPapa!

LOL @ Bring it on Gilda. I like the one step forward by Gilda and then you reciprocate. It reminds me (dating myself) of the 3 stooges.... Niagara Falls... Slowly I turned, step by step, inch by inch.... Just loving these updates!

Too cute. A talking porcupine! Zooniversity's North American porcupine, "Teddy Bear," gets a cob of corn for a treat -- but, he doesn't like to share. Listen carefully to see what he has to complain about! And ..... Trying out a Pumpkin:

As Judy said, it does sound like a love offering. How is she this morning?

Nice photo of Isaac on that oven fan. He is looking good. Thanks for sharing this.

Very cute photo. Kizzy is looking good as Santa. Thanks for sharing this.

"Nothing has come easily for her and I am in the position to watch a miracle of life unfold. Thank You Gilda" Indeed, we all are.

I saw this earlier today and did not post in hopes Dave would reply to it. He is the most experienced person we have on this forum. You can take his advice to the bank. Thanks for posting this very informative and very helpful post Dave! Aso, as Dave said, I am completely against clipping. But, we do all understand that many times new bird owners receive them clipped. All here will help in any way they can when needed to get a bird back to full flight capabilities they were born to have.

Good appetite! Don't you just love that "Baby Talk"? I miss that. They are such an indescribable joy.

Some days greys are quiet and others they are active and more vocal. Sitting on one foot and fluffed up is just a relaxing grey. As Judy said, they will prefer one sex over the other. It seems Dolly prefers males. As others have said, thats fine and let her interact more with your husband to establish a good relationship with him and also enjoy out of cage time getting familiar with the surrounding, enjoying freedom and interacting with you both. Did the growl as you approach the cage come after the misting? That could have made you an untrustworthy person and will take a while to build the trust back up. Many greys absolutely hate water, unless it's their idea to take a splash in a pie pan or even try getting in their water bowl. It is still a very short amount of time since you brought Dolly home. It takes a lot of time for them to show their true underlying personality and come to a comfort level in a new home, surroundings and start trusting everyone. Your doing great, relax, stay calm when interacting with her and just enjoy the privilege you have of helping an awesome sentient being in need and sharing something special 99 percent of people never get to.

That photo and Gilda's night night moments of touching and talking is so precious. It describes the moment you and all of us here have been waiting for. You are an example with the patience of Job that others rehoming parrots should look to for advice and strength during the long process of bringing a severely neglected grey out of the shell of fear. Thanks for sharing this special moment and photo.