danmcq

Congratulations Di!!!!!!! You really must post some photos when you get a chance. :-)

"Want a nut. Nnn, uh, tuh." - Hahahahahahaha, Alex was obviously smarter than them......... ;-)

Nychsa - Thats not her keel bone, it's the matzo ball. She has one big appetite!!!

Cool Name. :-) LOL to all the comments!!!!

Happy Birthday Biggles!!!!

Zpyder wrote: [quote You have millions of bacteria that live on you in harmony and so does your bird. The fact that your bird lives in your home exposes your bird to your normal flora and can become normal flora for your bird. Do not let Gram negative scare you! It is not a bad bacteria based on it's staining properties alone! In a nutshell, your correct. I was trying to keep this simple. The vet is not looking at just the stain. They are looking at the analytical results and counts. Depending on the presence, quantity and type, they then determine if treatment is needed.

Toni - The Vet is correct in the diagnosis, as the other members vets here were also in their diagnosis. Gram Stains are the tool used to quickly diagnose a Bacterial problem. As everyone knows, there are many different types of Bacteria. Some types are needed for good health. Some are harmful when present in high quantities and will result in death of the host if not treated. Many species of Gram-negative bacteria are pathogenic, meaning they can cause disease in the host organism, Humans, Greys, other Parrots etc.. This pathogenic capability is usually associated with certain components of Gram-negative cell walls, in particular the lipopolysaccharide (also known as LPS or endotoxin) layer. LPS triggers an innate immune response characterized by cytokine production and immune system activation. Inflammation is a common result of cytokine production, which can also produce host toxicity. Zpyder, is correct in the sense of Bacteria being present in the Colon, but it is also present through out every living beings outer and inner body. There are good and necessary Bacteria, but it is the "Bad" Bacteria the vets are checking for. The proteobacteria are a major group of Gram-negative bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and other Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas, Moraxella, Helicobacter, Stenotrophomonas, Bdellovibrio, acetic acid bacteria, Legionella and alpha-proteobacteria as Wolbachia and many others. Other notable groups of Gram-negative bacteria include the cyanobacteria, spirochaetes, green sulfur and green non-sulfur bacteria. Medically relevant Gram-negative cocci include three organisms, which cause a sexually transmitted disease (Neisseria gonorrhoeae), a meningitis (Neisseria meningitidis), and respiratory symptoms (Moraxella catarrhalis). Medically relevant Gram-negative bacilli include a multitude of species. Some of them primarily cause respiratory problems (Hemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa), primarily urinary problems (Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Enterobacter cloacae, Serratia marcescens), and primarily gastrointestinal problems (Helicobacter pylori, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella typhi). Gram negative bacteria associated with nosocomial infections include Acinetobacter baumanii, which cause bacteremia, secondary meningitis, and ventilator-associated pneumonia in intensive care units of hospital establishments. I hope this sets the record straight........

oldgreg wrote: Welcome Lorri!! Those are both excellent books and contain a wealth of good information. All the behaviours you are seeing from two newly re-homed Parrots is normal. They are in a strange environment, with a flock of humans they do not know. Also, it is very possible that the previous owner did not interact with them in an "out of cage" physical manner very often, if at all. The key is patience, gentleness and consistency, as you have been demonstrating. Old Greg, having watched as the Senegal was flung to the floor, probably considered that as a hostile act to his only remaining flock member. These Greys are VERY sensitive and intelligent. Old Greg will come around. But, you must earn his trust. Once you have his trust, everything else will follow, including building a very close and loving relationship. You have come to the right place for help when you need it and also just a good place to share your stories with other Grey owners that truly care about others. Looking forward to hearing more from you. :-)

Oh, thanks. I really have a disdain for inaccurate and dangerous information that could possible harm or kill any living creature. :-)

Awwww, what a touching moment captured forever. :-)

All!!! WD 40 is Toxic!!!!! You should NEVER use it anywhere near your birds or on parts it could possibly beak and lick. I posted an answer to a question similar to this just a few days ago on a stuck lock. It can and will kill your Grey or any oher bird for that matter. The ingredients: Chemical Name CAS Number % ACGIH/OSHA Aliphatic Petroleum Distillates 100 ppm PEL Petroleum Base Oil 5 mg/M3 TWA (mist) LVP Hydrocarbon Fluid 1200 mg/M3 TWA Carbon Dioxide 5000 ppm PEL Health hazards: Aspiration Hazard: If swallowed, can enter lungs and may cause chemical pneumonitis. Do not induce vomiting. Call Physician immediately. Inhalation (Breathing): May cause anesthesia, headache, dizziness, nausea and upper respiratory irritation. Skin contact: May cause drying of skin and/or irritation. Eye contact: May cause irritation, tearing and redness. Ingestion (Swallowed): May caused irritation, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. First Aid Emergency Procedures Ingestion (Swallowed): Do not induce vomiting, seek medical attention. Eye Contact: Immediately flush eyes with large amounts of water for 15 minutes. Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water. Inhalation (Breathing): Remove to fresh air. Give artificial respiration if necessary. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. The ONLY lubricant you should ever use for your cage would be food grade silicone or grease.

Hello remedy, I am not certain why his nails needs cutting. Are they really too long or just sharp? Waiting would be the best path at this time. If you do not have cement or similar type perches in his cage, you should purchase them and install. They will get and keep the nails in check. :-)

siobha9 wrote: Siobha, What a great example of communal living in a "Flock" that truly watches out for each other. This is a touching story of the glue that binds your home and flock together....love and concern for one another. This thread is really turning into a repository of everday events in a Grey's life with Human companions. It clearly illustrates they are Aware, Involved, Concerned, Connected and Communicating relevant to the present situation each and every waking moment. Thanks for sharing this!! :-)

Welcome Ian!!! It sounds like Jack is dealing with the bad clipping. Looking forward to hearing more. :-)

Welcome SweetFX !!! I am so sorry to hear of your Sun getting out. Hopefully he will found by you or someone else and returned. Your new baby TAG sounds wonderful and it does sound like destiny brought the two of you together. It is great that you are able to visit him and get to establish a relationship with him before bringing him home. :-) Looking forward to hearing more and seeing photo's of him also.

Hello Ozzy, The screaming will only go away by ignoring the behaviour and it will take time. They really do not take punishment at all. But, you could try associating the Screaming with being placed in the cage. If you Cage your Grey everytime it goes into a scream fest, it will certainly come to the conclusion rather quickly that scream = put me in the cage. :-) On the nipping. At 8 months old he is realizing that he is an individual, has a brain and wants to decide at times IF he wants to step up, be scratched, held, moved etc. This is a normal growing process. If their is no reason for example to make him step up or move. Then just honor his wish to remain and acknowledge his freedom to actually make choices. This will build the relationship to the next level. You just need to "Make" him step up when he is doing something unacceptable, like flying to the top of the refrigerator and shredding mail. You must consistently go, give the command to step up and force him to everytime. He will quickly understand there are boundaries and also that you will not demand a step-up unless he has gone out of bounds. I hope this helps. :-)

It is normal as others have said. It does seem he is rubbing his beak on a sandy or cement perch to clean it, as all Greys do. This all the small scratches you see highlighted from the dander. :-)

Welcome Carl!! The others have given excellent advice and it seems you are taking the corresponding correct actions along with patience. It seems you are already seeing his personality come out. :-) Looking forward to hearing more from you.

What a wonderful exchange between you and Athena, Zandische. It is yet another perfect example of just how cognizant and aware they truly are. :-)

All, I think everyone has described the relationship between Grey and Owner as a family member, rather than just a "pet". They are truly on a level that a "pet" would never be. I love my Dobermans also, but not as deeply or on the same level as Dayo. Kim and I often talk of how Dayo is our "Child". Our children are also out of the house and have families of their own. Thats where the outside world just sits in bewilderment as we describe our Greys. It is also why we rapidly learn to just not bring them up any longer to our work associates, friends etc., unless they ask because they are truly intrigued and actually wish to hear more, which is a rarity. The intellect, empathy, intelligent vocalizations associated with actions, items, desires and emotions these sentient beings demonstrate are beyond any "Pet" I have ever owned. Thus, the position of being considered a true "Child" and member of the family. To illustrate - I was on vacation and home for 9 days. We all have our idiosyncrasies and schedules of how and when we do and say things. Last night, my wife was cutting up veggies and fruits for Dayo as he watched. She said out of no where, Dayo said "APPLE?". So I asked if she had chopped up some Apple. Her answer was No. She had chopped up Watermelon and Cantaloupe. I told her Dayo was letting her know that "Daddy" always adds Apple too and Dayo was letting her know she had forgotten it!! She also said, as she was sitting and giving Dayo "scratches" he said "Beak Rub?". She first wondered why and secondly, where he got that from. Well, during the days I was on vacation, I would rub Dayos Beak and say "Beak Rub". He loves his beak to be rubbed almost as much as getting a good head scratching. Kim was shocked. I asked her if she had added some apple or rubbed his beak last night. She said she had not. I told her to ensure she adds "Apple" to the fruit tonight and says "Apple to Dayo, to re-enforce his assumption that apple was correctly associated and understood by her. I also asked her to rub his beak and say "Beak Rub, to acknowledge he was correctly understood. These Greys are certainly as aware and cognitive as atleast a 3 year old child and maybe even a 4 year old. I was chopping up my Dobermans mix of dry and wet food the other evening in there Bowls on the kitchen counter, as I always do while Dayo looks down from above. Just as I picked up the bowls and started to walk and place them down for the Dogs, Dayo says "Whistle, Whistle" ( I mean he literally did the whistle I do for calling the dogs) and then he yelled "Chloe!!", "Whistle-Whistle Chloe!!". This is what process and sound he hears from me every night associated with feeding the Dobermans. So, there is no doubt that these Greys properly associate actions and words. They are not just "Mimicking". I truly believe all these traits are why they truly become a "Family" member and considered as our "Child". :-) Thats why we discuss things such as - What happens when they out live us, who will take them and love them etc. We ensure they will have a home, preferably with a family member they know and will live out their remaining days with their "Family". It is also why we are so worried when they are slightly "off" or sick and ensure they get any and all treatment regardless of cost. It is also why any that experiences the death of a Grey, is completely devastated and distraught for a long time in mourning. They are "Our Children".

Congratulations Laurie, that is a BIG milestone. I personally think you should be rewarded and taken to Hawaii for week or two with the money youve saved. :-)

Congratulations Penny!!! What a wonderful Grey you have there. Rikki is beautiful and obviously very well socialized. It's nice to hear Talon is taking all this well so far and that Rikki is already boldly exploring her new home and dinner dinner with the flock. Don't hold back on more photos and stories!! :-)

Beccy.....WELCOME BACK!!!! This is an important announcement and the perfect place to have posted it, so no one missed it. :-) I am looking forward to yoru great posts again!!

Well, thats a new one!! Did your Grey come from Transylvania? ;-) It may just taste good to her. Your boyfriend should not allow that to take place at all. It could turn into a routine the Grey thinks is "Ok" and I don't think you want that. They eat chicken bones and especially like the Marrow. It is a source of nutrition for them such as vitamins and minerals.

Some Airlines will let you carry them on. If hat is possible, you would not really need to give your Grey anything. As long as you can interact with him/her. I have seen some vets prescribe mild meds for traveling birds and other critters. You may want to check with your Vet to see what they recommend. How does your Grey react to new situations, being out in the open etc? That would pretty much tell you if medication is necessary or not. Here is a good website with good tips on air travel with your Parrot: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=15&cat=1794&articleid=2270