busere

Thanks everyone for all your help!

Here's one of Piper.

Here's a picture of Lucky. <br><br>Post edited by: busere, at: 2007/08/09 22:30

www.harrisonsbirdfoods.com I've been reading their info, but I like to hear what people that use the product think. No company in their right mind would say, "Our product is not a good one for your bird." :blink: They shoot with a bit more bias then that. Rodney

Does anyone use, or have they ever used Haaison's Bird Food Products, and how do you all feel about them? Thanks, Rodney

This is a general parrot question, and I think I may already know the answer to this, but I thought I'd ask anyway. Are male parrots more aggressive then female parrots during the breeding season? I've seen what our little Chicken-Demon (Piper) can be like during this time, and it's big-time ugly. Is this not as big of a problem for females? Rodney

Makena, what Island do you live on? If you live on Oahu, there used to be a Pet Discount Warehouse across the street from Cos-Co. I can’t guarantee that, it has been a few years sense I lived there. But they used to have some real good prices on some really nice cages...and a huge selection of birdie-toys. Rodney

It's good to hear that Robert is as much into this as you are, just keep in mind that a parrot is unlike any other pet you ever owned, because of its constant emotional need for you or Robert. If Robert spends more time with the Grey then you do, be prepared for your parrot to choose him over you...this can be a heart-breaking experience. The bird will make that choice, not you…and there are no breed specifics on that issue…all parrots are like that to some degree. For example, I can handle both of our parrots, but not in near the same way as Nikki (my wife). The ways that she plays with Piper, I may never be able to take part in, I just have to accept that and go on. And, as some people may find, parrots, can become Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in a split second. They may change who they’re bonded to just as fast. I’m not trying to talk you out of a bird, I just want to give you the whole clear picture of owning a parrot. RobertsKitty, Have you been bit by a CAG or a TAG? While visiting our possible future birds, last night, my wife and I both got bit by a CAG (we handled it very well). But to give you an image of what it felt like…put your finger in a workbench-vice and tighten it down until it brings tears to your eyes. As I said before, it’s not if you get bit, it’s when you get bit, will you be able to keep tough and push on with the care level required for your parrot? Unlike guinea pigs, this pet will out live you…it’s a life long commitment, much like the marriage to your future husband. Can you make a life long commitment to never re-home your future Gray? Please consider everything that’s been said in this string before you answer that question. I hope you do say yes…like I said before, I’m not trying to talk you out of getting a parrot, I just want to make sure (for the birds sake), you understand the level of commitment involved. There is no such thing as a perfect parrot, just like there is no such thing as a perfect husband…wait…I can’t believe I just put that in writing :pinch: . Well, anyway, I think you get my point. Rodney B)

Hi all! I'm Rodney, I've been in the Navy for 14 years, and I’ve lived all over the place. My wife and I currently live in Virginia Beach. We've been married for almost three years, which has been the greatest three years of my life. We have very serious priorities, God comes first, then each other, then children (when we have them), then the birds. We currently have two birds: Piper, a very Napoleon-like (two and a half year old) Quaker parrot and Lucky, a slightly shy but very fun (one and a half year old) Lutino Indian Ringneck. We’re thinking about the possibility of one of four birds to add to our family; a Congo African Gray, a Timneh African Gray, a Red Lored Amazon or a Bare-Eyed Cockatoo. I know most of you are going to try and talk me into one of the grays, but the other two have their good traits as well. Even though we’ve had both of our birds for over a year, I’ve only just recently become a bird lover. I can say that I always liked the birds, but I had no dedication to helping with them. Over the last few days great turnarounds have taken place in our home. Piper, who used to attack me with extreme prejudice, has become one of my biggest buddies, this required work and training on my part…meaning I needed the training as much as Piper did . It can be a humbling experience, admitting that you were wrong and not listening…my wife is probably reading this right now with a big smile on her face, sheepishly laughing inside (Hi Honey!). Well, I think that’s about it for now. Questions? Rodney

Just curious, RobertsKitty, are you engaged to be married? If so, how does your soon-to-be spouse feel about being a bird owner? One of the things my wife and I learned (the hard way) is that you both need to love the bird, if not, you can say hello to a lot of problems, and not just for the bird, but between you and your spouse. Also, if a bird becomes strongly attached to you, and is extremely aggressive to the spouse…this can cause stress on a marriage. I can honestly say that I was not a “Bird Lover” until yesterday. My wife bought a Quaker Parrot (Named: Piper). Piper became very bonded with my wife…only because I never spent any time with him, and after he bit me the first time, I automatically thought he hated me. It got to the point that if Piper was out of his cage, I couldn’t sit on the same couch with my wife (Also a hormonal issue during breeding season), because he would get upset and run at me for the attack. Last night in a three hour training period, Piper and I made great strides toward restoring our friendship, and that included me getting bit twice and gritting my teeth and baring it, not showing him any reaction to his bites. I know the biting is not over yet, considering last night was just the first night of training, but it was solid progress. If you’re soon-to-be spouse is not willing to take the time to work with the bird as well, this can take away from your marriage. Make sure you’re spouse understands what they’ll really be getting into with YOU getting a bird. If they’re not as into it as you are, bad things can happen. You do not want to get into a situation where you have to choose your spouse or the bird after you get your bird. If you give up the bird, you’ll resent your spouse, and giving up the spouse, would mean you didn’t love your spouse like you said you did before God and all those witnesses…see my point? There is no such thing as “TRYING” to make things work with a bird…in the famous words of Yoda, “Try not. Do or do not.” Rodney Now, committed to being a Bird Lover!