RobertsKitty

xxbeccyxx I don't know I won't actually be getting a Grey for nearly two years. Today was AMAZING! I found a pet shop that takes in unwanted birds and resells them to responsible owners. I got to see the Grey they had. It was the first time I got to see a Grey up close and to be able to hold one. The bird was beautiful. Very social, although understandably scared. I am now more excited than ever about when I am going to be able to get my bird. I wished more than anything I could take that particular bird home but I still have two solid years to budget and save before that becomes possible. I do have a few quick questions. What is the best and least stressful way to bring a bird home if allowing it to make short visitation periods to the house is not possible? (ex. if bought from a re-home place like where I went today) After you bring home a Grey should you start trying to get it accustomed to you immediately or leave it alone to adjust its first night? Also if you bring a bird home and it is stressed out and starts plucking, besides providing attention and toys what else is a good way to help prevent this action?

Yeah I know what you mean. I intend to fully test it for at least 2 weeks inside BEFORE I even CONSIDER taking it for a spin outside. I'll probably wait till the clipped wings are just beginning to grow out before I try the harness outside the first several times.<br><br>Post edited by: RobertsKitty, at: 2007/08/02 21:28

I will keep that in mind. The flight leash is as small as 30’ x 30’ and as large as 50’ x 80’ Its tangle proof so thats nice. I'm not really sure exactly how it works but it comes with a DVD so that will help.

I also have a flight harness and flight leash for allowing it to fly for a fairly good distance. That will help with letting up some pent up energy! I ended up with a manzanita ladder instead of a perch.

There is that. I'm now looking into harnesses and full spectrum lighting.

And here it is Checking your link now for the second perch type<br><br>Post edited by: RobertsKitty, at: 2007/08/02 20:46

Yeah your right. My fiance is Robert. Thanks a bunch loviechick. I still have about $300 for food and such so I'll go look for a few perches like that too!

Judy heres the link to the large net http://www.birdtoyoutlet.com/detail.aspx?ID=925

Few more things: Metal, birdsafe bell Swing The rest are for time out of the cage playing: Rattles and jingles Paper wrapped wooden pieces So have I done ok on shopping so far?

Ok here is everything I have so far. I am buying extra to be sure that I can shift things in and out and perhaps have an extra when one gets worn. 3 Full Length Ribbonwood Perch 36" inch Swing With Chewables Bowls with attached perches Formable Rope 3/8 Inch Thick and 6 feet long For time out of cage and teaching Numbers/Colors Pinata Indestructibell For out of the cage fun I'm also going to get some of the items that are listed in the TOY thread. I am still going to look for a few more foot toys for out of the cage time...I am TOTALLY open to ideas on what is good and not good.<br><br>Post edited by: RobertsKitty, at: 2007/08/02 19:47

Really? That would work great! I have a few old black sheets that I don't use anymore. There isn't anything wrong with them they just don't match my room anymore. Thanks! Later on I'll post everything I'm planning on buying to make sure I'm not forgetting anything!

One more quick question. As for cage covers. I am proficient at sewing. Can I just sew a cover? If so what material would be best? Is there anything I should totally avoid?

I think I've decided to go ahead and plan on getting the bottom cage and if I find something better between now and the time I get my Grey that will work even better.

Which would be better a cage with more internal room or a cage with the play stand areas like the bottom one listed?

Thanks for the help! I think I'll get the last one I posted. I MIGHT get the top one. Still deciding.

Thanks for the link. I'll check it out! Also I am curious on the last cage I posted that top part would be over my head and I remember reading somewhere that having the bird over my head is a bad thing? Is that correct?

I looked around and found a few regular cages. Which one would work best? This is 48"W x 36"D x 78"H This is 48" W x 32" D x 74" H This cage is 42" W X 28" D x 73" H Which of these would be best for a Grey?

The two main ones that I like best are the incorporated feeding system that allows people who are unsure of the bird(like someone who will watch it if I'm ever away) slide the bottom of the dish out and refill it without worry of the bird trying to escape. They also have hoods that keep any food or water from spilling out onto the floor. The sides of the hoods that protect the outside feeding area are slightly clouded so the bird feels safer when eating. Another benefit is the ability to safely mount special lights to insure the bird is getting enough UVA/UVB lighting in a safe way. Birds exposed to the full spectrum of light in a safe manor tend to longer, healthier lives. Another helpful thing is the storage area beneath the cage that will allow someone like me, living in limited space, to have plenty of room to store whatever my little birdy needs. The locks also are amazing because they are like what you find in a zoo. This insure that any little escape artist will remain safely in his/her cage when I'm not home! And don't worry I knew you were not chastising!<br><br>Post edited by: RobertsKitty, at: 2007/08/02 17:35

Thanks Judy. I don't know why I am finding such expensive ones. I'll keep looking. xxbeccyxx- The reason I am interested in these cages is not only are they easier to clean but they offer several features that are beneficial to the bird. I will however be sure to look for a normal cage to see whats out there.

One more quick question. I have been looking for T-stands only to make an odd discovery. I can't find anywhere that sells them for less than $100. I wouldn't think it would cost nearly this much considering alot of them are just wooden dowels stuck together. Where can I find one online for a reasonable price?

Thank you all very much for your help. All these posts have been impossibly helpful!! I have chosen a cage that is 5 feet tall, 4 feet wide, and 2 feet deep. Is that a good size or do I need to try and find larger? If I can get my bird to be harness trained fairly quickly I might just clip its wings once when it first comes home just till it is fairly accustomed to me then I'll let them grow out. How long does a clipped birds wings take to grow out again? Would a Grey use those rocks or would it ignore them? (Not the cage I'm buying just curious)<br><br>Post edited by: RobertsKitty, at: 2007/08/02 06:42

Thanks so much for everyones help! I now have several questions regarding cages: With Greys is it more beneficial to have a tall cage or a wide cage? One cage I am considering is 4 feet tall, 4 feet wide and 3 feet deep and the other is 5 feet tall, 4 feet wide and 2 feet deep. Which would be better? Do Greys climb the bars, ladders, exc or do they tend to hop/fly to their desired destination? Do Greys prefer several (more that 3 or 4) perches or is more than 3 or 4 to many? Do they enjoy swings? What kind of portable perch should I look for or will a chair, counter, or whatever else is handy be just fine? Do Greys like having a back corner that is nearly totally hidden where they can roost hidden and in private? How old should a Grey be before you put a harness on it? Is there a particular way to 'desensitize' a Grey to the harness or in some way go about teaching it to accept the harness? And finally, must all Grey toys that are in the cage hang or can they have some toys in the cage that they can pick up and play with off the floor, or flat surface within the cage? I know this is probably more an opinion question but with other birds I have had its always been true that we clip the wings of a bird till it has been trained well enough that it will come when you tell it to then you can let them grow out some but we never let the feathers get long enough for total and complete flight just to insure they don't wing into a fan or something of the like. Does that ring true with Grey's as well or is that just in smaller birds.<br><br>Post edited by: RobertsKitty, at: 2007/08/02 04:15

Ok I will thanks! Like I said my main concern is behavior issues.

Thanks for your help! I am busily working out exactly the costs I should be shooting for so when the time is right I will have more than enough to buy my new baby. Based on everything I would say I'd like a TAG better but I'm not picky and they are both beautiful and wonderful so I don't care either way!

I might consider it. I only worry about behavior issues. It will be a few years before I am ready to get a bird. I was only hoping to find a breeder now so I could go and speak with them about the birds.