siobha9

If he will step up onto your hand from the floor then that is a good start. Have you thought about starting from the floor and teaching him the step up reinforcing with treats if necessary? Then you could progress to step up from a perch or coffee table. Eventually he should step up from anywhere. I would concentrate on step up onto your hand rather than a stick because you may not always have a stick handy (excuse the pun). Siobhan

Congratulations! Its funny we are dying to hear them talk, and very soon we are asking them to be quiet because we want to use the telephone

Both mine do what you describe, its like they are sticking their tongue out sideways... if he is eating ok, there probably isnt much wrong. The big problem is that there are no vets near here that do Greys. There is one in Wicklow if you really need one, I can send you the info, but I have checked all the ones in town and only one said they would do "emergency first aid". I can give you their info if you want it. Out of curiosity... could he be rubbing his beak off your arm to clean it? Maybe he doesnt like the sticky feeling of the pear?

Warm spell???? Whats that??? It is miserable here... It is freezing cold literally. The car was frozen solid at 9.30 this morning. And it is a starry night now which means it will be cold tonight too. We had snow on Friday... the kids actually got a snow day for the first time in about 3 years. Roll on Spring..... BUT..... I am having a good day.. got a good grade on my last assignment, Oisin is sitting on my shoulder at the moment without biting me which is a break through. And I visited a lady who has the funniest Greys I have ever seen this morning. And they talked to me

I absolutely agree with you. I needed a higher reason too. All those obvious ones.... the cost of them, the effect on my birds, the effect on my kids, the smell etc, wasnt enough for me. My brother dying suddenly was the start of my wake up call... but even that didnt really do it. One day it just dawned on me (ok maybe I am a bit slow) that my kids needed me for quite a few more years, and I was then only a few years younger than my brother had been. It scared the living daylights out of me, and I finally did it! I was finally ready. It sounds to me like you are too Laurie. I hope you had a good day today. And if you didnt then start quitting again right now. Dont wait till tomorrow. Siobhan

Hannah_Rae wrote: That's brilliant... "virtually" grow up together. That's what all our babies are doing really isnt it... Very clever Hannah... I have to giv eyou Karma for that one :woohoo: Siobhan

I obviously have no will power... I just let Liath hang on. She sits on me most of the time and constantly readjusts her footing as I move around cleaning or whatever I am doing. Once I forgot she was there and bent down to pick something off the floor... and she said "whooah... CAREFUL!"

Mine had my own variety of birdy bread, which I bake weekly and freeze in slices for them, and some of our veggies. Oh and Liath ate 2 slices of raw red pepper (Oisin doesnt like it). And for breakfast.... porridge of course.... Neither of them will eat pellets despite lots of trying on my part, so I give them as much "human" food as I can to try to balance out their diet. And I add vitamins to the birdy bread. Siobhan

Are you using any nicotine replacement Laurie? I used some and it really helped. I kept telling myself I am not longing for a ciggy, I am longing for nicotine, so the gum crushed the craving. Its worth a try.... Siobhan

That is mostly what Liath did when she was little too. She probably just wants cuddles right now. Keep giving her different toys too, the more you can expose her to while she is young the better in the long run. Enjoy the cuddles, some greys dont like them !

1. I have 3 kids aged 9 to 14 2. I have been a computer programmer for 20 years 3. I am now studying to be a Counselling Psychologist 4. I live in the prettiest part of Ireland - the Midlands. 5. I love Pilates 6. I am a twin 7. My biggest idol is my Dad - he took up running at 45, and skiing at 68.... he is now 71 and just back from a skiing trip. 8. If I didnt live in Ireland I would love to live in France. 9. I was born in Yorkshire, England and also lived in Massachussets for a year in 2001. 10. I am training to be a Scout leader.... its FUN!!

Liath is obviously a tee totaller because she prefers tea I am terrified that she will get burned so I am constantly trying to have a cup on the sly. I feel like an alcoholic trying to hide my drinking from the bird! She is busy destroying something in the sitting room and I head to the kitchen to get a few mouthfuls!! Siobhan

And HUGE personal toilet.....

Its funny but my older grey LOVES the new kid... unfortunately the new kid is not so fond of the older one! Liath thought all her Christmasses came together when we got Oisin, she is totally besotted with him, but Oisin wont let Liath anywhere near him. He will just about let her share a perch now... but she must keep her distance or else :angry: . And if he needs a scratch he will let her do the honours... but once he has had enough he lets her know!! Baby Oisin knows who is boss in our house!

I quit smoking 1 year and 3 months ago.. but who is counting .... I am... every single day.... It was the hardest thing I ever did, and I tried repeatly for 2 years before I managed to quit. My brother died at 41 from smoking (heart attack) and I was determined to give up. Honestly the worst thing for me was other people telling me I really should give up.... you know for the kids, the birds, my health, my parents, my pocket and all those other millions of reasons. I quit when I was ready. Really really ready. The best thing to distract me funnily enough was Liath. She could tell if i was tense so I held her constantly and had to stay relaxed. Best of luck Laurie... and I really mean that. It is the hardest thing you will ever do, and the best thing that you will ever do! Siobhan

Oh my goodness Bailey.. you certainly have your hands full. I am sure you will come through this with flying colours though and your new Greys will thank you for it. It never fails to amaze me how people can abuse their pets, until they have behavioural problems and then expect some one else to not only take over and try to rectify the problems they have created, but also to PAY for the priviledge! What are their names? Have they been DNA'd? Its just that the previous owner seemed to be wrong on so many other things, I wonder has she got the sexes right? Lots of questions... sorry....

The poor poor little guy. I cant believe he is letting you pet him already. That is so horrible... and they wanted you to pay for him? I should think they would have been glad for him to be happy. Some people dont deserve to own pets. Luckily for him he now will have a wonderful life with you. Does he have a name yet?

Its ok... but my ego is crushed

Can you try this again, as I can't see the pictures?

We all know that Greys have a reputation for being clumsy... well mine are anyway... well today was payback for Liath. This morning Liath was hanging out on my shoulder while I was cleaning the kitchen. I was chatting away to her telling her what I was doing, and she was telling me what a good "boy" I am... (need to explain birds and bees to her yet). Anyway then I dropped a pot on my hand, and yelled Ouch! Liath said.... Awwwww... Did you hurt yourself?? You just have to laugh at them

I have a few budgies who loved a palm that I had in my sitting room. They would all perch in it together. Unfortunately they loved nibbling on it too. My neighbour was visiting one day and asked me where I got the lacy plant. I didnt know what she was talking about until she showed me the shredded palm. I decided it was probably time to bin the plant

That is so cute that your husband had to say goodbye. Liath (nearly 2) says "Bye Bye Where you going?" whenever she sees keys! The baby sounds are so sweet, does she do the little "peep" sound? Its lovely (except when she is sitting on your shoulder, then it is deafening!)

Worst case scenario... do you have a neighbour or friend who could call in once a day and change water and food? Charlie wont be too happy being stuck in a cage for 2 weeks, but at least he will be at home rather than in a pet shop! I havent left for 2 weeks yet, but for long weekends that is what I do with my greys. Siobhan

BMustee wrote: Oooooohhhh terrible visions forming...I will have nightmares about this one :unsure:

Congratulations on your new Grey marg. And a big welcome from Ireland! Please be careful of your dog with the Grey. In nature they were not intended to be friends. My greys and dogs tolerate each other nicely, in fact they almost play together, but never unsupervised. Welcome!