siobha9

A couple of days ago Liath started a new behaviour which really intrigues me. When I went to get her out of her cage I gave her my hand as I usually do. She just looked at it, and backed away slightly and said "Do you wanna step up?". I laughed and said Sorry Liath, do you wanna step up?". And she immediately stepped on to my hand. Later she was on the top of the door in the kitchen watching me work. When I was done I put my hand up for her to take her with me and she did it again. Now she wont step up unless I ask her first:S . Today 3 days later I decided to test it by just putting my hand into her cage and she said it again and didnt move until I asked her! She is even saying it when I go to take Oisin out of his cage. Unbelievable??? Is she trying to put manners on me? Siobhan

Whats the recipe for the crackers? (roughly) I was thinking the vegetables, and perhaps some of the fruit salad for desert. Siobhan

What will you be giving your Greys for Christmas dinner? I want to make the day special for them too and I am looking for some ideas. Siobhan

Santa will of course be visiting Oisin and Liath! Problem is last year Liath preferred the paper to the present! (see my profile page) What does Santa bring your birds? I am looking for new ideas this year..... Siobhan

I would like to say a big thank you to Briansmum!! I got my mug today - it is soooo cute. Now I have to fight with my clan to be the ONLY one to use it:laugh: ! Thank you so much to all of you mods and admins too. This is a great forum. Siobhan

I am trying to convice my kids to become avian vets... just think of all the money they would rake in... I could have one of them move to Cork, one to Wexford, and of course the best of the three of them would have to stay in the Midlands!!! The poor little guy, its really scary isnt it? So far I have only "needed" a Vet once, when Liath was sick. My vet does routine checkups and emergency first aid. But thats about it. But he is very quick to admit when he doesnt know and rings Bairbre for advice. Give him loads of cuddles from me! Siobhan

Speaking of funny stories.... The X Factor is running at the moment in the UK, and we watch it religiously every Saturday night. Last night, Liath was quiet for a change, and then when Sharon Osbourne comes on she starts blowing raspberries. When Simon Cohen comes on she does the wolf whistle. For those of you who watch it... you will understand, for those of you who don't... Let me just say this... you wouldnt throw Simon out of bed for eating toast.....

There is only one vet in Ireland experienced with birds, and it is next to impossible to get an appointment with her. Mervyn2233 did the right thing for him under the circumstances. I do hope he gets better soon! Siobhan

MrSpock wrote: Quite the contrary. I listen and value everything you say. In fact in a previous post you told me that the cage I am thinking of dividing is too small, and I have spent a lot of time researching where to get a cage which was designed for 2 birds. Unfortunately I cant find one as big as mine would be divided. My only other option is to do what you have done and make a bird room, but I am afraid that the Greys wouldnt get the attention they get now. The only room I have available is upstairs. Even if I havent actually got them out, they can chat away to me where they are now, as they are in the main room of the house. The main thing is that this problem is getting a lot of thought. Something I probably should have done before I brought Oisin home. But then I wouldnt have Oisin, and that would be awful! Siobhan

The problem is the cage that Oisin is in is much too small for him to spend the next 50 or so years in. He cant flap his wings inside it. And I dont have space for a second cage the size of Liaths. I used the word "discarding" me, cos thats what Dan said could happen, I dont want that to happen but I do want the birds to be as happy as they can possibly be. You have a point here.... I am watching them out of their cages playing together and having a ball, and assuming they would be happier if they actually lived together 24/7. But maybe they are only happy together because it ISNT 24/7!! If I was sucessful in having them share a cage, is it likely or even possible that they will start to fight when they are adults? Dave, you should set up a consultancy business on bird behaviour, you know that? You are sooo knowledgeable and we are sooo lucky that you are on this forum. Thank you! Siobhan

Its news to me... that is hilarious! I LOVE the cake! Siobhan

I think them discarding me is not worrying me so much as them hurting each other. At the moment they meet on sort of neutral territory, and I worry about what would happen if they were stuck together. I have tried putting them in the cage with the door open, but Liath (who owns the cage) wont stay in when the door is open. She sits on the open door telling Oisin he is a good boy:lol: ! Problem is I am still waiting on the steel guy to separate the cage, and now I am wondering is there any need..... Siobhan

I have 2 greys, Liath is 18 months, and Oisin is 5 months. In the first couple of weeks, we didnt take them out together. Then they were out together, but I would supervise Liath and my husband, Oisin, so they didnt actually meet. Then they met but really closely supervised. Now I can have them both out for hours with no problems. Well one teeny problem. Liath is totally in love with Oisin. Oisin is not so sure!! Neither bird has been DNAd. At this point they dont fight, and they both sit on top of Liaths cage for hours, on the same perch with no issues. Is it too soon to try them together inside Liaths cage for short spells? Or should I just go for it and watch them closely? Siobhan

Isnt he beautiful. I so want a B&G but I have been banned from any more birds.... I suppose I want my husband more than a B&G......just..... Siobhan

Oh I know that game.... lets beat the food to your mouth game. Ever tried eating noodles with a bird on the loose? No fun at all. And they don't seem to like the noodles in their bowls, only the ones dangling out of your mouth :lol:

Hi Fairy, I didnt realise you are in Israel, what a beautiful beautiful country. I have been there on business a couple of times, and took the opportunity to see a little of Israel. I have friends there on assignment now in Ashkelon. I am hoping to visit them in the New Year assuming their assignment doesnt end! Hi Kathy, I know JUST how you feel. I saw a bird in a pet shop once, again on the top shelf in a tiny cage. I challenged the pet store owner, and eventually he got his Mum to bring her home. The poor thing was 7 years old, and had lived on the top shelf for 3 years. She was the "mascot" for the store. I don't know why I bothered though, because a week later he brought in a Blue and Gold Macaw who is "Not for Sale". He has lived in the store since he was a chick, almost 18 months now. Siobhan

Try again... - nope it isnt happening...<br><br>Post edited by: siobha9, at: 2007/11/27 09:55

This is Liath playing on the curtains, which is STRICTLY forbidden in our house - not that Liath cares!

Does she still have her baby feathers (black tip) on her tail? If so, I have an idea regarding the tail feathers! Liath is 16 months old, and a couple of months ago she started to do pretty much what you describe, chewing her tail off. I was quite upset and like you thought I wasnt giving her enough attention. And one by one, her mangled tail feathers moulted, and she now has most of her beautiful scarlet tail which she doesnt chew. Maybe she was just helping the old feathers to moult? On occasion over the past couple of months, sometimes she looks like she has been dragged through a hedge backwards, and loads of downy feathers will stick out. And then she will get new chest, or wing feathers and look gorgeous again for a while. I think its just moulting her baby feathers... Siobhan

I bathed both of mine pretty soon after I brought them home... I gave them a week to settle in, and then the caked on baby food and poop became too much! They were both 16 weeks when I got them. Siobhan

Really cute!! Do you usually bring a video camera into the shower with you?? I find this a rather unusual habit. I usually bring shampoo and shower gel myself:laugh: Siobhan

I go away quite a bit, for a night here and a night there, and I leave my birds at home. My dad comes around and watches some TV while chatting to them. He changes their food and water but doesnt take them out. I thought it would be better for them to have company but not be stressed by someone they arent comfortable with. Once I went away for a week. My family were here, but none of them can handle Liath. They left her in the cage, no harm done. They talked to her, and played through the bars, but didnt take her out. Apart from the fact that she turns into a birdy limpet when I get back:S , she doesnt seem any worse for wear for not getting out. Mind you her cage is HUGE and she can flap her wings inside it. Siobhan

That is so cute:) Just a question.... is it my imagination or are they actually INSIDE a cupboard??? Interesting place to keep greys!!! Siobhan

I wouldnt agree that they dont need a bath. I find they get dusty and itchy if I dont bathe them. I bathe them in the bottom of the bath, with the hand held shower head on really slow, and warm. All of my birds "tolerate" the bath, but the greys actually do seem to enjoy it. I dont let them get cold as I wrap them in a towel and hold them on my knee for a while in front of the fire. Once they are almost dry I unwrap them, and let them preen to their hearts content! (this applies to the budgies as well as the greys). Siobhan

Tari, I love your idea for the phone (karma for you!). Liath kicks up a storm whenever I am on the phone. Luckily it is a cordless so I can leave the room, but she just gets louder. I will try that one tomorrow! You can imagine the comments I get when I explain that it isnt the kids making the noise, its the birds! Siobhan