RobertsKitty

Awesome! Thanks!

Awesome. I am defiantly leaning more towards the second cage. And at only $20 more its a bargain! lol! I will get her a travel cage but it will probably be after she is home. Not sure on that...I'll see what happens on the water situation. I would prefer only once a day but who knows right?

Thanks for the help and support. I read somewhere that a big cage is terrible horrible the baby will freak out and that just didn't seem like viable information to me...I need a little cage opinion. I have two that I like. I am sure I can find room for either in the apartment when I move in. Here are pictures of them both: http://www.birdcagesgalore.com/photos/9003628.jpg http://www.birdcagesgalore.com/photos/New%20AE%20Cages/new%20cages/Copy%20of%20PC-4226D-3.jpg The dimensions are as follows: First Cage: Width 40" Depth 30" Height 76" Second Cage:Width 40" Depth 25" Height 52 1/2" The second cage has a removable divider that I could keep in if the baby seemed afraid of the large space or keep out if it acted alright. I am also leaning slightly toward the second cage because of the play area. I will PROBABLY have enough for a play stand but that is still nice to have. Which one would be best? The cage will have at least 4 perches, 1 ladder, several hanging and floor type toys including shredder toys and puzzle toys. I will have all 4 cups in the cage. 1 will have water, 1 pellets, 1 fresh stuff and 1 will either also have fresh stuff or full of foot toys. I will have an extra set of 4 cups so that way I can have one clean set and one in the cage. How often should I clean the food bowls? Water should be changed in the morning and again at night right?

One quick question. I am going to get a very large cage but I am going to get a bird that is only just fully weaned. Will it be ok in that big cage? If not I'm sure I could make the big cage appear smaller until it is ready for more room...

I'm sure. I know with every other animal I have gotten I have had to scuttle back to the forum and say what the heck is it doing!? I haven't heard back from the breeder yet but I only just emailed them awhile ago. I got through 200+ pages of Parrots for Dummies at Hastings. I'm off to start my own 'book' That is writing down everything important and relevant in the books I've read so far. I have 3 more books coming in Monday! Yay! lol. I can't wait till after my bird has bonded to my husband and I. I am going to take it to Petsmart and show it off. I want everyone to see my beautiful baby! I hope to use having my Grey as a way of reaching out and helping warn prospective parrot owners about the difficulties of having a parrot as a pet. I'd really like to make a differance in the number of birds having to be re-homed in my area.<br><br>Post edited by: RobertsKitty, at: 2007/08/05 05:42

I am going to meet with a breeder on the 11th to look at how she/he(?) operates and discuss perhaps getting a bird from them in the future. I have read 3 Grey books and I'm working on a parrot behavior problems book(what better way to know how not to create a problem bird than to know what causes it before hand!) I really hope I am able to meet with the breeder. My mom has never seen or held a Grey and she will probably be coming with me so I really hope things go well! I'm off to Hastings to read through as many Grey books as I can in 3 hours!

Ok thanks. I'll be sure they are safe when I buy them! Thanks for the help!

Here is a fun question. What if I take it into my mind that I feel like cooking on the stove. I'm sure it will happen. In a small apartment what should I do with the bird? Does it need to go outside on a flight line with my fiance when I cook or can it be moved to a far away room? When can I move it back in after cooking?

Really? Could have sworn I read somewhere they needed it! Ok thanks! Also I have seen spray millet used as a training treat. Allowing the bird to get a few good bites as reward so thats always an option. It shouldn't be left in the cage all the time though is that correct? I know you can with other birds but I don't know about Greys on that matter. I think the only area a REALLY don't know much about Greys is diet.

I have heard of it. I don't know if there are any in the U.S. I will check around Walmart and maybe I can find a Trader Joes. I think there is one around here... Also quick dietary questions: I know Greys need Cuttle Bones do they also need Spray Millet? Also I found something called a Mineral Bird Treat: Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min.)...............1.0% Crude Fat (min.) ....................0.0% Crude Fiber (max.) ................0.5% Moisture (max.) ...................10.0% Calcium (min.) .....................20.0% Calcium (max.) ....................24.0% Phosphorus (min.) .................0.01% Salt (min.) ............................0.20% Salt (max.) ...........................0.50% Is that needed? Wanted? {Emotions-000200C1} Thankies! (side note) This is the threads 99th post! lol and my 50th member post! Yay! lol

Thanks so much helix. I agree with danmcq. Where do you buy such nuts?

I will probably have to start mine on Zupreem. I will try Harrisons but since I would have to pay shipping and all I don't know if I'll have the money I need to do so.

I'm very excited. It will be another two or three days till my books are in the library but I used Amazon.com to read a few pages out of each book and they look like they will have a TON of information! I am very excited. Here are the names of the books I'm getting so far: African grey parrots : everything about history, care, nutrition, handling, and behavior by Maggie Wright Parrot Training: A Guide to Taming and Gentling Your Avian Companion by Bonnie Munro Doane Parrot Tricks: Teaching Parrots with Positive Reinforcement by Tani Robar The Parrot Problem Solver by Barbara Heidenreich A Parrot for Life: Raising and Training the Perfect Parrot Companion by Rebecca K. O'Connor I am looking REALLY hard for the book For the Love Of Greys. I am also looking for The Beak Book and I'd LOVE to get a copy of The Alex Studies(before I saw Alex on T.V. I'd never heard of African Greys and he first instilled within me the love of Greys) Sadly our libraries here are sourly understocked so I will have to end up buying these. I am going to check Petsmart because I used to work there they won't mind if I chill in a corner and read for awhile but if I remember anything correctly they don't have any of the above. I might check a few book stores and pet stores around the area. If anyone would like to let me borrow their copies...lol. A few MORE questions (I'm full of them huh) Whats best to bed the bottom of the cage with? The bird won't actually touch it right? I was thinking just using newspaper but is there anything better? Also regarding cage liners. Needed? I think I could make a washable one and hey if I use enough paper I dunno if I'd even need it! Also what kind of thing would be good as a 'training' treat? I have seen peanuts and the like is often used. Is that the best thing to do or..? And the last question of the night that I ask albeit quite hesitantly: how bad are Greys about screaming? I know how NOT to enforce it but I will be living in apartments for the first several years I have it and I worry about neighbor complaints...<br><br>Post edited by: RobertsKitty, at: 2007/08/04 08:35

Thanks so much for all the praise! I am working REALLY hard to get this right. I wouldn't be able to handle it if my bird became one of those poor birds abandoned by careless owners. I don't really even think of it as getting a bird. I think of it more like having a baby. I mean it will after all be my baby for the next 50+ years I should know everything I possibly can. And trust me I've been writing notes on everything you all have told me!

Yeah no kidding! I just wish I didn't have to wait. But oh well. The waiting just makes getting the bird all the sweeter!

I now have 5 books on reserve at the library. When I get them I'll be spending hours in my room reading and taking notes. My fiance says I'm becoming a bit obsessed! :whistle: Who me? Never!

Wow those both sound like wonderful diets!

Thanks so much for the information! I'll defiantly keep it in mind!

That would be good. I don't think it would ever be safe for it where I will be working but I will do what I can to take it into large groups of people. I could always take it with me when I'm getting food or just walking around Petsmart and doing things like that. Most stores wouldn't allow her inside. Maybe when I went on a walk downtown... Thanks for your help! Any idea about that birds training like what I listed above?

Thanks so much. Another quick question. What is the best way to really socialize a bird? I want to be able to take my bird into a public area or in front of a large crowd of people. Chances are in the job I am going into I might take it to a zoo or something of the like and teach crowds about Greys and other exotic birds. In this instance I would like a bird that willingly allows others close and mabye even lets them touch it. Also the bird I saw yesterday had been trained so well that when it didn't want your hand close to it's body the bird would take your finger in its mouth and gently move it back an inch and let go. I was thinking on it last night but how would you train a bird to do that as apposed to bitting?<br><br>Post edited by: RobertsKitty, at: 2007/08/03 18:01

judy-I am going to go crazy during the wait but in the end it will be worth it! I just hope everything works out! Talon-I already took it off my buy list. Thank goodness you where home! I'm glad your little girl is safe!

Very Fun. Sounds like a nice well rounded diet!

I would be wary. Sometimes great buys tend to have hidden problems. If you do buy make sure and spend as much time is possible insuring the bird doesn't have a health or bad habit problem.

I for one would have to say that when I get my Grey, as long as its flighted well and got coordination worked out I will clip for when it first comes home. From the on out I hope to let the feathers remain unclipped. I love watching Grey's fly and I am planning on getting it adjusted to a flight harness at the same time I am adjusting it to it's cage and to me. With any luck by the time real flight takes place the bird will know to come to me for the most part.

Hi everyone! I am just kind of curious what you feed your Grey. I know everyone has their own general ideas as to when, what and how much they give their Greys. Anyway, I was just hoping a few people could post a sampling of what their Grey's eat? Thanks, Kitty