danmcq

Wow GreYt Christmas thread and graphics too. Love it!! Thanks for starting it Pugwash. :-)

mattpatresi wrote: LOL - You don't need to do that. Just don't try to stop a train we got rolling along at full steam. Jump on board.

Kaedyn is right on the money. They will also go up and start scratching in their food bowls etc. to get your attention. Just ignore it. I know it's hard because they are just too pitiful, but it's for their own good and yours. :-)

Dave007 wrote: Right on Dave...You go Guy!! Sign me up as soon as those lessons are available!! :-)

mattpatresi wrote: Matt - R U kidding me? When I buy something from a "Professional", I expect them to be a "Guru" at what they are trying to help someone with that wants expert advice to get through or past a behaviour. These clowns, when I purchased it, didn't know as much as I did. But, I didn't realize that until I received the Hokey piece of Sh!t DVD. They are just getting what they deserve, namely BAD PRESS from a community of members that know far more than Chet and his Brother do and WE PROVIDE IT FOR FREE!! Sorry, not yelling at you, just emphasizing the free part. :-)<br><br>Post edited by: danmcq, at: 2008/12/16 21:06

I purchased their stuff over 3 years ago after I purchased/rescued a wild conure off a guy that claimed he was "Gentle" and well trained and just reacted as he did because I was a stranger...the guy used gloves to snap him out of the hamster size cage he had sitting out side on a shelf nailed to a 6 foot fence. Anyway, once I received the video, written stuff and all the other garbage they send which included some crappy pellets they subscribe you to monthly, which you have to call and cancel or they will start billing you 29.99 a moth for them!! Well, to say the least, they are two amateur kids trying to make a Dot Com Boom in the Parrot training market and have spread like a virus over the last 3 years. Their stick method is ridiculous and doesn't work. That macaw for example they used to "Tame" had been a family bird for years and was used to being handled by the family since a young chick. They claimed it had become "Cage Sour" and was wild....my A$$.... Anyway, a stick poking at them and coming in their proximity is seen as an evil weapon and they have no clue why you are using it other than for bad intentions. If a bird was hand trained and raised in a good environment from hatch day, they don't need a stick. They just need patience and time to decide your ok and they want to get to know you a little better by finally stepping up or taking treats from you hand. Chet and his brother are bozos and dangerous. Have you watched his brother free flight train a grey? What a moron and almost lost his Grey..... Now he's an expert on the subject of course...HA!! Ask any free flight enthusiast and they will tell you it takes months working with you bird and a professional tat has years of experience in free flight training. I have noticed over the years that they have started learning more about parrots and training, probably from GreYt websites like this one that is full of members that have experience and know what they are talking about, because they have lived it. :-) Anyway, those are MY thoughts on the two kids trying to get rich.... :-)<br><br>Post edited by: danmcq, at: 2008/12/16 15:35

almorrison - You say "she is now pulling and snapping feathers off her back" What exactly do you mean by this? I she literally biting them half way down for example? Is he Literally ripping them out of their sockets? If so, you have a plucking problem. A 7 month old CAG does not molt out all it's tail and wing feathers first. The neck, chest and underbelly small feathers along with tons of downy are the first to molt out. Please give a little more description of what you are seeing specifically. Also, if you could post a photo of some of those feathers that have been snapped or pulled it would help greatly. :-)

Welcome Caitlin and Slater!! Two very cool names. :-) It's GreYt having you here. It would be great if you can share those videos and photos of Slater. he sounds like a real character!! Looking forward to hearing more from you soon. :-)

Welcome FurnFeathers!! It's GreYt having you here. I agree with the others that have given advice in regards toweling etc. to get him our of the cage. Waaaaayyyy too traumatic and makes you the enemy. This breeder is going to take a long time to come around. Cloe human interaction is not something he is used to or welcomes. One other thought also, you mentioned toys and rearranging perches. Unless the toys were already in there, he is probably really freaked out by them and they should be removed. Things such as toys need to be introduced slowly and lay them in sight where he can see them from the cage. Then move them closer and closer until you can hang them on the outside of the cage until he becomes used to them, then finally inside the cage. Moving the perches around and changing his environment is probably not a good idea either. Just leave things in a static state until he feels comfortable and secure inside his cage. Sit next to it and read, watch TV and of course talking sweetly to him. Get him to understand you are there to help him, not harm him. Try feeding treats through the bars once he seems comfortable and not alarmed. I look forward to hearing more from you and good look in this rescue operation!! :-)

Jane08 wrote: Yes, I'm with Dave on this. Just as in the wild, a fully flighted bird is not going to damage itself that it can no longer fly from danger, not be able to recover from a slip or fall and not be able to follow the flock or forage. A clipped bird, may not even know it could fly and may not see the REAL value of all those feathers or what they are for. Also, never having fledged or given the chance to due to the wings being clipped too early, the actual full development of key brain functions that have to do with flight and navigating may be seriously compromised and cause mental issues not yet known and plucking may be related to that also. There's just too many unknowns at this point. However, it is known that wild caught greys, do not pluck even though confined to a cage for life. They may pluck a little such as that seen in mating etc., but they will not damage themselves to the point they can not fly and escape. There are many questions that truly need to be researched and answered by a scientific study.

Wow, very nice job Nina in getting the whole flock involved in that wonbderful carol. :-) Seasonings greeting to you and your flock!!

Yes, I am very familiar with Soya, Soybeans, Edame etc. They are fine for your Grey and any other Parrot. It's not like we are feeding it as a main portion of the meals. It's just ONE of the numerous legumes they eat. Harrisons is a great food and developed by an Avian Veterinarian. I personally feed my Grey mainly seeds and nuts as the largest portion of his Diet and he readily eats all types of veggies, fruits, legumes and various pellets with Harrisons being the main pellet he eats. As a side note: Vegans get most their protein by eating Soy based products and Doctors also recommend as a great aide in lowering high cholesterol levels.<br><br>Post edited by: danmcq, at: 2008/12/15 00:11

Soya is a very healthy food, legume to be precise and is used by many of use in the bean mix we cook up for our Parrots. You can also find it still in the Pod form in the frozen section and it is called Edame. Paroots seem to love them.

Happy Birthday Rikki!!!

LOL!! Very cool, your new "Do" will be the next trend setter...... "Hair by Talon"

Oh No, it's the terrible twos!!! Run... just kidding, Happy Birthday Freddie!!!!

Nice video of Whisper, thanks for sharing it. :-)

The number of posts are not key in obtaining Karma. Members give Karma to those that post content that is informative and helpful to other members. In other words, it is earned by contributing meaning content, not just 2 or 3 word punch lines. They are thread disruptive, off topic and just add junk people need to bypass to see a real answer or meaningful comment. Looking forward to hearing more about your, your Grey and some coherent content. B)

If he is starting to become somewhat flighted, let him continue to gain strength, coordination and continue to replace those clipped feathers as they molt out. If you are comfortable with the thought, as you seem to be. There really are no negatives to keeping or letting a bird become fully flighted. You just need to take precautions to ensure he does not have an opportunity to fly out the door. Teach him the boundaries of kitchen, what hot stuff is and whats off limits at all times. They are highly intelligent and learn these things rapidly. Their cardio system and general over all health also becomes superior to that of a non-flighted bird. My Grey and Conure are both fully flighted and I would not have any Parrot any other way. :-) You will not believe the acrobatics and aerobatics you start seeing, once they become more confident and skilled.

Welcome Pass135 and Opal!! It's GreYt having you here and looking forward to hearing more. :-)

GMan - Also a Rocket.... :blink:

I don't have any pictures, but I can tell you, your finger flesh is like butter to a knife. If they are determined to take a chunk, they can severe blood veins and tendons as they bite completely through the flesh of your finger. I have watched mine bite through a chicken leg bone in one quick snap and crack open shelled Almonds like a nutcracker, if this gives you any idea. :pinch: It all just depends on how committed they are to doing serious damage or just a painful warning.

Four Days is nothing, time wise in introducing any Parrot to a new home and people. You have gained huge ground in just this small amount of time to have him accept nuts or other treats from your hand. Do not push him. Putting your hands in the cage bars without a treat, knowing he is growling and going to bite you is just a nightmare waiting to happen, namely to YOUR fingers. It takes time and patience for any Parrot to come around to the point of accepting you. This is all based on trust developed over time as they let you come a little closer each time and they observe your actions and reactions. If you start pushing too hard, you could seriously damage the great progress you have already made. Sit near his cage, read, watch TV, offer treats now and then and just let him chill with you right there in close proximity. He'll come around at his own pace. :-)

LOL!! Good One.

Congratulations Kim!! Fred sounds like a wonderful baby Grey just basking in the love and joy contained in your Home. The love you develop for these special sentient beings is amazing. Looking forward to hearing more. :-)