siobha9

I was doing some costume making for our local drama group this afternoon and Liath had to oversee everything

Oh wow, these birds are adorable You are so lucky to work with them day after day. Will these birds be sold do you think? Or do you need to keep them to rehabilitate them first?

Selling unweaned birds is one of my pet hates:angry: If you check out the Nursery Room there are some articles about handfeeding that should help you. I suppose the trick is the delicate balance between giving your chick what he needs nutritionally while still encouraging him to try other foods. I am going through the same thing with a clutch of tiels at the moment and the scales has become my best friend. I weigh every morning to ensure they are not losing weight while trying to reduce the amount of handfeeds I am giving them. Like your baby the crying is pitiful and I find it so hard not to give in every time they beg:( Even running a tap now sets them off because they think I am making their forumla!

Congrats Darkmocha on bringing home your grey! That is great news that she is eating pellets for you already. Did you ever find a source of a nut free seed mix? Or are you just supplementing with fruit and veg till she gets used to the pellets?

It doesnt seem to matter what time Liath gets up, she never wants to go to bed. Oisin on the other hand will start nodding off about 9. I had been guilty of keeping them up at night to spend extra time with me, but Liath turned very grouchy a while back. Biting, lunging etc. I started putting her to bed at 9pm and she was a different bird literally overnight:ohmy: My cuddly bunny was back Now unless it is exceptional circumstances, such as my being out all day, I dont keep them up past 9.

I think the most intriguing thing about parrot empathy is that only a grey owner can truly appreciate what we mean. If you tried to explain to a non parrot person how a grey can react to your moods, they wouldn't believe you or would put it down to coincidence. We are so lucky to experience it first hand Please keep your stories coming;) Siobhan

{Feel-good-0002006E} That's why I kept my mouth shut;)

Hi Tina, Welcome to the grey forums, looking foward to hearing more about Granite and Ruby, and I am pleased to decided to join in the fun;) Siobhan

Hi Terirose, Welcome to the grey forums, sorry I cannot help you source a grey as I live in Ireland but I wish you luck in your search, Siobhan

Gaevren wrote: It sounds to me like you have done everything possible for the little guy, so please dont blame your self;) We are all rooting for the little guy, he may recover quicker when he is back in familiar surroudings Siobhan

Poor Tigger... guess he bounced back like his namesake;) I'm glad he is ok

Oh NO! I dont find that funny at all:ohmy: I have a dog flap and I often go out the back with my dogs while the greys are out. I never imagined they would go through the flap, but now that you have told this story it makes perfect sense... why wouldnt they? I go out the back and close the door, and the dogs follow me through the flap. We are all out the back together while the greys are stuck indoors. Why wouldnt they decide to come out the same way the dogs did? Grey hairs??? I dont know how you didnt have heart failure on the spot! Oh my, something ELSE to worry about:blink: :ohmy:

Hi Matthew, Welcome to the grey forums. Its always nice when a lurker decides to become a member! I also have some tiels, they are the cutest little birds I'm looking forward to hearing all about Tucker and would love to see some photos;) Siobhan

Hi Andrew, Welcome to the grey forums. You have come to the right place for information about african greys. Have a read of the various threads, and if there is something in particular you'd like to know feel free to ask;) Please keep us updated on your search for your bird, Siobhan

Hi Julie, The issue of height is one that is debated for and against. I am sure DanMcQ wont mind if I copy an excellent post he made a short while ago on this very topic. DanMcQ wrote: http://www.mawebcenters.com/soaringspirit55426/Dominance.html (edited because the link wasnt showing.)<br><br>Post edited by: siobha9, at: 2008/09/18 20:37

Gaevren wrote: It definitely sounds like he is on the mend:). Poor little Spike! I have been giving my baby tiels extra cuddles since I heard about him You are lucky that he is still in the vets all things considered, especially since he is being a bit of a rascal when it comes to taking his medications! Keep fighting little guy!

Hi smaryan, Welcome to the grey forums! Congratulations on your new baby:) What have you called her? You are right in that it is easier for your grey to get used to your husband now while she is little, although it is possible to have a very good relationship with an older bird. You say you only brought her home on Saturday? It may just take her a little longer to get used to your husband. It is very early days yet. He needs to be consistent in giving her attention, feeding her treats, giving her head rubs etc. There are lots of threads in the forum which will help you with your new baby particularly in the Nursery room Here is one about socialiasing your grey which you may find useful;) http://www.greyforums.net/forums/the-nursery/73094-socializing-your-baby-grey.html I look forward to hearing more about you and your baby! Siobhan

My babies are just about ready to go to their new homes. Here are their latest pictures!

Will he hang from a rope or the top of his cage? If he does it isnt a huge leap to have him learn to hang from your fingers. Maybe someone will have an easier method to suggest. I wasnt aiming for Liath to lie on her back, it just kind of evolved to that;)

Liath loves to lie on her back and have her belly rubbed. I'm not sure if I could tell you how to teach Bobo how to do this but I can tell you how I did it with Liath if if helps? Liath is an acrobat and loves to hang out of anything, so very early on I discovered that she loves to swing out of my fingers upside down. I would do that and then every now and then cup her back for a few seconds with my other hand. After a while I would actually let her lie on my other hand. After many more weeks I let go her feet and just had her lie on my hand. And finally I was able to rub her belly. Each time I did something new such as letting go her feet I would do it for a few seconds and then a few more seconds the next time and so on. I never let her get to the point of feeling nervous because it was something new. But now I can just pop her on my knee upside down and she stretches her head back for a good old rub I hope this helps;) Siobhan

Hi Andrew, I believe we have met already;) But let me welcome you again and I hope you enjoy this forum:) . Siobhan

Hi Andrew, Welcome to the grey forums. It sounds like you have quite a character in Sam! It is so funny when they get phrases and use them in context;) Unfortunately the only way to stop an unwanted noise is to completely ignore it. But this can take some time to achieve. Even going to the cage to cover it is giving him some attention. When he starts barking, you should leave the room and only come back when he is quiet or making a noise you do like. The same will apply to your wife;) Why don't you visit our Welcome room and tell us a little more about Sam? Siobhan

Here is a thread about red palm oil which should answer your questions. http://www.greyforums.net/forums/bird-food/68132-red-palm-oil.html#94853

I think you will find that some parrots are afraid of the decorations, and some see them as lovely new toys. This will be Liaths third Christmas and I have lost some treasured decorations to her over the past 2:blink: But if I am going to put decorations out where she is allowed to play, its hardly her fault if she plays with them! The best part of her Christmas present was the wrapping paper! Oisin was afraid of everything to do with Christmas except the big bowl of vegetables he was given for his Christmas dinner :laugh:

Toni wrote: Out of curiosity could you cartwheel before the accident? Cos I can't! You have really had such a rough 6 months. The news is better but it sounds like you still have a way to go :ohmy: I am praying for you that the next six months will be even better;) Siobhan