Acappella

Well, I didn't listen to Pearlyn and I did overdo it (if trying to lay a laminate floor is over doing it) had a relapse and missed Dorian's 6th birthday (See soon to exist post in the lounge). Hopefully I'm finally over it. I know there are alot of people who don't believe in the flu shot, but this is the first time in seven years I've gotten the flu, and the first time I didn't get a flu shot, so for what it's worth . . .

I think the honeymoon period is over and he's asserting some independance, like She said. Dorian was totally cage bound when he arrived here, and there are still days when he prefers to sit all day inside. Choose your battles. Letting him hang out inside the cage lets him have some control over how he spends his day. You have to be the boss when he's somewhere or doing something dangerous, but otherwise let him have some control. Make being outside the cage fun. Play with a favourite toy where he can see you, save a favourite treat that he only gets when he's outside. Don't hang around begging him to come to you. Just go about your business and every once in a while ask him if he wants to come with you. I had an animal 'communicator' come and meet Dorian this summer. The best advice she gave me was to treat him like he's already the bird I want him to be. I stopped asking him for 'step-up' because he had a fear response to those words, and started asking him if he wanted to come out with me. Basically, the only thing that really changed was my emotions when I approached him. Instead of being nervous or hopeful when I went to him, I was calm, and instead of being sad or frustrated when he didn't respond I could just say ok, maybe next time, and I went about my business. What happened was Dorian chose an outside perch that he would go to and call to me when he wanted off of/out of his cage. From that perch all I have to ask is does he want to come with mommy and up comes his little foot:) As for the chirp, Dorian does have a little chirp he uses when he's scared or tired. Walk him around and see if there's anything in the room that he leans away from or shakes as you approach. Something might have moved when he wasn't expecting it to and made him afraid of it. You're doing great, it just takes time to learn each others ways.

Like Judy said, no question is silly. I've asked some doozies in my time! We'd rather you ask a hundred "silly" questions than have something happen to your new grey buddy.

I've found aloe juice at several different health food stores. Some forum members in the States have found it in larger sizes at Walmart. Like Dave said, it's sold as a digestive aid for us humans.

You're doing great. I'll bet you and she are going to be buddies.

Dorian loves scratches but mostly at night, right around the time I've said, or am about to say, the 'bedtime' word. Just like a kid wanting one more story before lights out, he puts his little head down when he knows it's time for sleep. And I, of course, fall for it every time:side:

A grey has body language that warns you you're about to take a bite. By knowing the signs you can't always avoid a bite, but you can avoid alot of them. Do a search on body language here and you'll get alot of tips. If she's putting her head down for you right at the side of the cage, and you can see her eyes, you can try reaching one finger through the cage and lightly scratch her head. Watch her reaction closely. If she closes her eyes or moves her head to give you a better angle it's a very good sign, but it may take awhile. That's how Dorian and I got to know each other while he was still in the store, and he was very hand phobic. Nothing you've described about Gabby suggests that she has any particular fear of hands, at least as long as they're outside the cage and she's inside:) Be very gentle if you feel a pin feather coming in. They're sensitive when coming in and even those of us who have birds that love scratches will get a bite if we scratch too hard around a new feather. It's really good that you're prepared for progress to take months. Dorian's been here for just over two years and he still doesn't step-up from inside his cage. He'll likely never be a bird who wants to sit on my knee or lap like some forum member's birds do. We have, however, found a compromise that works for both of us. If he wants to come with me to another room he climbs to a particular perch on the outside of his cage, and that's my signal to ask him for a step-up. Just recently he's started to step-up for me from other parts of his cage. This is from a bird that I thought at one point would be cage-bound for the rest of his life. It took years to get here, and there's a long way to go, but it's so rewarding when an animal as smart and cautious as a grey with 'baggage' starts to trust you. I hope the move goes smoothly for you.

the birdie in the yucca plant happened four days after we brought him home! What do you think!!! :whistle: What I think is that you'd better anchor the tree down well, leave off any vintage/sentimental/breakable/valuble ornaments, put up a birdy stand close to the tree as an alternate landing zone, and practise picking birdie off the tree and onto the stand. :lol: Considering he's not afraid of much (that's what you get for socializing your bird so well), I think you may have a new catch phrase for your house. Sort of like 'Remember the Alamo' but instead it's "Remember the Yucca"{Feel-good-0002006E}

ecodweeb wrote: Do I sense a Joe Jackson fan in our midst?

I love Dayo "What's the matter Jake" Jake's thinking "the matter is you're trying to bite my tail, that's what the matter is you big grey galoote!" As for the cage door, you're going to regret that one day, Dan. :lol: It sure makes a satisfying bang that Dayo must love. He has grown into a beautiful bird, and Jake is a cutie. I have the feeling he knows exactly how fast Dayo and his beak can move!<br><br>Post edited by: Acappella, at: 2009/11/24 22:52

Karina, karma to you for taking on this little grey soul. She sounds alot like Dorian was when he came home with me. Many people here have taken in rescues that needed alot of rehab. You'll find lots of advice here, encouragement when you're feeling frustrated, and we'll celebrate right along with you at every small step forward. Some questions for you. How big is Gabby's cage? Could you describe it, or take a picture. There is a forum tab with information on minimum cage size. If her cage is on the small side right now, it would be good to put her into a new one now, when you're moving her. Then put in the perches, toys, she's used to, in the same way they were in the old cage, or as close as possible. It would also be good to take her to a certified avian vet on the way to her new home. If she has bald spots she is probably plucking a bit, but there could be medical reasons that should be eliminated first. A good check-up by an avian vet can rule out alot and give you the information you need to make her healthy in mind and body:) Have you thought where her cage is going to be located in your home? You'll want her where she can observe the activity and feel part of the flock, but where she doesn't feel vulnerable. Up against a wall is good, in a corner may be better. It needs to be somewhere that can get dark and quiet for 10-12 hours a day because that's how much sleep they need. Set up a chair next to her and just talk to her, tell her about her new home, let her get used to you. It would be a good idea for your fiancee to interact with her in this way from day one. She may pick either you or him as her 'favourite', but if you're both busy with her from the start she'll have a better shot at being a 'family' bird. Does she talk or mimic sounds in her current home? Is there a bell in her cage? Most greys love bells. I know it's exciting bringing her into your home and you want to spoil her with toys and love and new experiences, but greys are very cautious birds, especially when they haven't had a good, nurturing environment from day one. There's a good chance that Gabby will view any new toy or perch as a potential birdy killing machine. :ohmy: You shouldn't just hang a new toy in her cage until you get some idea of her personality and how fearful or adventurous she is. My Dorian is a big grey chicken. It took almost a year before he decided his boing wasn't evil:evil: There's lots of advice here on how to introduce new things to a fearful bird. As for her skin being dry and itchy and having alot of dander, greys need to get wet to keep clean and keep the dander down. Again, do a forum search on baths or showers. There are almost as many ways to get a bird wet as there are forum members. Bathing is something birds naturally want to do(although there are some birds here that continue to sulk every time they get wet!). Sometimes all it takes is giving them a shallow dish big enough to get wet in. Dorian starts giving himself a bath in his water dish, then I help out with a misting spray bottle full of aloe vera juice which helps with the dry skin. Gabby's skin and feather condition will also improve if she's on a good diet. There's lots to learn, but the good news is there's lots of time to learn it. Avoid the temptation to do everything at once. With birds that are as long-lived as greys are, time is measured in weeks, months, years, not hours or days. Just bring her into your home and let her settle in and observe for a few days, then maybe see how she reacts if you leave her cage door open part of the time. She may come right out, or she might still stay inside. Little things like that will let you know what kind of personality she has. It is in many ways like bringing a child into your home that has been locked in one room and not touched for years. You can't expect her to be friendly and playful and cuddly because that isn't what life this far has taught her, but you have years to teach her a whole new way of being. It's a great adventure and learning experience, and we're all here to cheer you both on. Love, Marguerite and Dorian{Love-000200BF}

"What you Talkin' 'bout Willis?!" (Those of you who get this are admitting to your middle age and your un-productive youth, like me:silly:

Love the red feathers, and the picture of her getting scratches. There's a grey in birdie heaven, and she knows it:)

Thank you all for the kind words. Yes, I will be Super-Immune Girl after this, able to brave crowded shopping malls and subway trains fearlessly:P Take this flu seriously guys, it will knock you out. Mine started with a little tickle in my throat and a headache, and the headache soon became terrible (and I'm used to migraines) If you start to feel any symptoms at all, go home asap, take echinacea, vitamin C, hot tea, hot toddy, whatever works for you, curl up with a book, a blanket, the remote, relax and get some rest. My fever seems finally to have broken. I may even try putting on clothes that aren't pyjamas:blink: Take care of yourselves.

Bernie, I love the picture of Ollie about to raid Tevish's toy box. Made himself right at home didn't he:)

sandra902 wrote: Sandra, I'm with big daddy. Gotta round out that musical education:) I usually leave the tv on the listings channel that has music in the background. TV seems to upset Dorian. He often turns his back on it if it's on a regular channel, and he especially doesn't seem to like cartoons. I think the high voices remind him of children, and kids weren't always well behaved when Dorian was in the pet store, know what I mean. You just have to know your bird and his/her likes and dislikes.

I'm one of those pain-in-the-behind people who get headaches and nauseous around scented products. I figure if it bothers me, it can't be good for Dorian, or really anyone. I had to ask my sister-in-law to never burn her scented candles when I'm over, especially since she used to have a different one in every room. I figure it is the chemicals released that I'm reacting to. Also, the cheaper the candle (I'm looking at you, Dollarama) the worse I react. I know I can be in a room longer if the candle or diffuser is subtle, and completely natural, which usually equals expensive:( Since I'm in a rural area where the power ofter goes out so I burn natural beeswax candles in other areas of the house and use battery powered lights in Dorian's area if I have to.

Hello and welcome Neil and Snowy. Every time I see a baby with that little red butt it makes me wish I'd know Dorian as a baby! FYI, as you're looking around here check out the Nursery forum. Lots of info there from people who have experience with baby greys!

Wow, Dorian's never done that, but he was chattering away in the next room when I hit play and he's fallen totally silent! Def got his attention. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Judy. I do love the little guy. He's always loved being wrapped up in blankets. He and I have a deal. He's going to be the longest-lived former barn cat in Canadian history!

OK, this a blatant plea for sympathy. I've had the flu since the 17th and it sucks! If you are around someone constantly clearing their throat, coughing and sneezing, it is not rude to treat them like typoid Mary, it's self-preservation:)My elderly father lives with me but I've kicked his butt to his lady friends' (with her permission). He just dropped off some meds and food and I just fell short of making him do a Silkwood shower after he touched a phone I hadn't wiped down.:ohmy: On the bright side, Dorian started saying "I love you" last week, and has been saying it over and over again every time I surface from the bedroom. Stay well my grey friends:kiss:

Ok, well you did ask, right. I'm as crazy about my cat, JAC (stands for Just A Cat - long story) as I am about Dorian. Here he is when I brought him home from my Uncle's farm Some "day in the life" photos And, finally, a seasonal picture from a couple of years ago. Before I switched to LED's our tree actually generated heat, so there was the kitty,

Aww Jill, you have my sympathy. Dorian doesn't 'get' foraging either. I bought him a little pink kitty piniata and let him watch while I stuffed it with his favourite things. I hung it up next to a favourite perch, but all he was interested in was banging it against the cage bars. I ripped it open in the back so he could see inside and hung it in plain view, right over his food dish, but he's only eaten something out of it if I've taken it out and given it to him. Even though he can clearly see his favourite thing, a peanut, sitting right inside the open hole. 'sigh' When it comes to foraging, Dorian is more Dense-a than he is Mensa!

Sounds like a product called the Adventure Pack.

Where are you Carol? I can help a bit if you're in Canada.