Acappella

I'm sorry you have this added stress in your life. I know what it's like to be at wit's end with an animal and to re-consider it's place in your life. My cat, when he was a young adult, went through a phase of defecating on the bed of anyone in the house he was mad at. At times I changed bedding 4 times a day and spent some considerable time sitting on the floor crying hysterically. The added stress would make 'normal' daily stresses (like on-going house work disputes) almost impossible to bear. I know your nerves must be stretched to the limit, and if I could, the first thing I'd do is give you a big, long, hug. So, what to do? I know I can't offer any better advice on behaviour issues than the veteran forum members here can. Have you searched around the web looking at some avian behaviourists like Barbara Heidenreich @ GoodBirdInc. In addition to books and dvds, some offer phone consultations, even home visits if they're near to you. Check them out well though, as there are some so-called bird trainers who use fear and domination techniques which may work short-term but won't give you the relationship with your bird that you want. Now to soothe those nerves. You're going through the same kind of experience that a new parent with a colicky baby does. You need a break from the noise! If you can afford a decent pair of noise cancelling headphones, they're a great sanity restorer, especially if you can put on some music you find soothing. Be careful to slowly let the bird get used to the sight of them as anything new in the environment could further spook an already high-strung animal. Also, (and I know this sounds too simple, but it works) sit and concentrate on deep breathes while saying to yourself 'I Can Handle This' over and over, or some other mantra that works for you. If you can keep your stress down the bird will begin to pick up on the change in your 'aura' for lack of a better term. Then (and I know this also may sound stupid) try empathy with him. After all, it's terribly draining and not much fun to be upset all the time, around others that are upset. Just talk quietly and calmly to him. It's not the words you use, but the tone of your voice that's important. If you have to read a children's book aloud to him while wearing earplugs or headphones, it may calm him. You'll still be able to hear when the screaming stops and reward right away with a piece of walnut or almond (Those are Dorian's fav treats) That's all I can offer right now. I hope knowing that you can come here for support, advice and cyber-hugs helps you get through this. By the way, Jac is now a sweet, lovely cat who didn't revert to his old ways even when Dorian came into the house, although I have to admit, I kept bedroom doors shut for a couple of months:P

Hi. I finally got the file of information Dorian's previous owner received from the breeder when she took him home, and today is his hatch day. He is 5 years old today. I've bought him a great big fancy play stand, but right now he's convinced it's out to kill him so it will take some time to get him onto it. The file also has his open leg band, his dna test, his healthgene registration certificate, and his parents names. It also has a letter saying he was eating pellets and stepping up when he left the breeders', which is a little frustrating to me because if they had followed the care directions in the file Dorian would be alot easier to care for. Then again, if they had been that attentive, maybe he wouldn't be in my life, so I'll take the little monkey just the way he is:silly:

If you still have the studs from when your ears were pierced, put them in. The posts may be a little thick, but the butterfly backs on those earrings tend to be the type that lock on so she won't be able to pull them out. Then you can go about teaching her to leave your earrings alone.

As a person who needs a support group for people addicted to jewellery it pains me to say this, but no more earrings for you until she learns either she's not allowed on your shoulder or not to touch your jewellery. I remember a thread on here a few months ago about someone who ended up at the vet because their bird swallowed a pierced earring.

Carolyn, here's a motto I live by. "Tis better to ask for forgivness than permission":laugh: Dorian may be getting a new cage for Xmas. I have a chance at getting a real good deal on a new cage later this month, but I'll have to hide it until December and make believe I bought it with Christmas money. Or maybe hide it at my friend's pet store. Depends how big the box is when I see it.

I made sure to check with the manufacturer before I picked one. Find the model # on the heater you have and look it up on the internet. I would see if there is a 1-800 # where you can talk to a real person instead of relying on the product info listed. Sometimes items have small amounts of things that labelling laws don't require them to list, but that might still be harmful. If you tell them why you're concerned (it may mean the life of your bird) most customer service depts are very good about checking these things. Happy research!

Sounds like you just found your bird-sitter:P It's funny how they just pick people isn't it? Wish they could tell us what they were basing their opinions on!

Dorian's down in the basement with me where it can be a few degrees colder than the rest of the house. In the summer I block all the air conditioning ducts and open them all wide in the winter. Our last winter was truly awful. I figured if I was gettting uncomfortable (cold hands . . .) he might be as well, so I got a small space heater and put it between Dorian's cage and my office. I turned it on for short periods while he was inside his cage, just to increase the ambient temp again. You just have to remember to move it out of harms way before you let the birds out.

Well, the word was the 'D' one, which is as salty as the language ever gets around here, and between it and Dorian's new favourite, I'm not sure which I'd pick. He now yells "Margreeete!" in my dad's voice at top volume when he wants me. Thanks for that, dad:angry:

Dorian was badly scared by a thundr a lightning storm a couple of weeks ago and it took two days for him to start talking or walk around the outside of his cage. He's back to his normal (well, 'normal' may be pushing it!) self.

Hi guys. Sorry I haven't been around much. I'll try to get caught up, but I had to share this with you. I spent three days last weekend cleaning and organizing the garage. So I'm out there on Sunday and my father comes out of the house and says "there you are!" I tell him of course I am, I've been in the garage all day. Then he tells me the following: "I hit the (*$#&*) wrong button on the remote and screwed up the tv (the universal remote is beyond his technical capabilities) I thought you were downstairs so I called 'Marguerite, come up here and fix this (*$) tv! You called back and said you were 'coming upstairs', so I went back to the living room and waited. After a couple of minutes I yelled 'are you coming up or not?' and you said 'coming upstairs' again. Then I heard you using the drill in the garage and I realized I was talking to Dorian!" Believe me, I'm getting a lot of milage out of this story:silly: :laugh:

Re: catching on to the treat thing. Sometimes you've got to play some mind games on these guys. I have to keep Dorian guessing here. Sometimes when it's getting close to bedtime I put his treat in, but if he goes in after it I don't shut the cage door right away, even let him come out again. Also, try putting in the treat when he's already in his cage. That way he won't link night+treat=cage

Yep, you'll fit right in here! Do you have any name ideas for your new birdie?

Welcome. I glad last night was quieter. You'll be so glad you found this forum. There's so much info here, and people willing to help and support you. Just remember, there's no stupid question;)

tarnold wrote: I am just totally facinated with this bird or obsessed if you ask my girlfriend Two side of the same coin:lol: Just point out that there are many other things out there you could have chosen to obsess about, and this one not only makes sure your spend lots of time at home, it also takes all your extra money so you can't go out and get into any trouble!

Welcome. Karma to you for taking on these older rescue second (or third or fourth) hand birds. My grey came out of a neglectful environment and he's been home with me for a year. I agree with others who have cautioned you against any tempting quick fix methods of behaviour modification. Just like a small child, he may learn to perform or obey out of fear or intimidation, but you won't ever see him develop the full personality that greys who are secure and bonded with their people, do. These birds can become the most loving, rewarding and entertaining animal companions, but only when they feel like safe and loved members of their flock. If your desire in the end is to have a grey that chatters, mimics, plays, and maybe even learns tricks or games with you, that trust and sense of safety has to be there first. It takes time and patience but it is sooo worth it. After all, like many here have said before, what's a few months in the life of a grey:)

OK, so he's pretty much back to normal today. His morning 'bomb' was more watery than usual, but he really didn't eat much yesterday. I'll keep an eye on it. I'm so glad I found this forum and all of you because I know you understand how I could be worried when something didn't seem quite right. Where else could I have a serious discussion about parrot poop:P .Thanks for the support.

Thanks guys. He's actually starting to act more normally. He walked around the outside of his cage, ripped up some paper, ate some food. I think a good nights' sleep and he'll be fine. This proved a couple of things to me though. I'm totally in love with this little guy. The merest indication that something might be wrong and my stomach was in knots. I was ready to bundle him into the car and give the vet my credit card number. The second thing this has proven to me is how much I've come to love his virtually non-stop babble. I did not care for the silent version of him. The house has been way too quiet today.

OMG so cute. He did everything he could to get wet but roll over onto his back and do a backstroke! Notice how cloudy the water is at the end with grey dust!!

Just checked on him again and he has now eaten a bit (His water dish has a walnut shell boat in it!) But man, is he ever annoyed at me. My hand gets anywhere near him and he lunges for me. Caught me and drew blood once. If I sit near him, like I did to eat lunch, in the same chair I always sit in, he starts shaking. Very weird, because he was very lovey dovey at bedtime last night. Like you said, I'll keep an eye on him today and it will probably be an earlier than normal bedtime for Mr. Dorian tonight;)

I'm worried. When I woke Dorian up this morning he seemed normal. A little grumpy, but I figured he'd heard me up early this morning and was mad because I didn't wake him up then. It's been almost three hours since wake-up and he hasn't spoken at all, or barely touched his food. His poop this morning looked like the normal morning bomb. We had a big storm last night that might have kept him awake, so I've darkened and quieted his room. I hope it's only tiredness. What else should I do, or not do?

Rexxy, congrats on your victory over water. Next time try to get your parronts as wet as they get you:P

You guys are making me want to drive to Mississauga. Problem is if I announce I'm driving all that distance to get stuff for Dorian I'll get that "she's gone nuts over this bird" look I'm becoming all too familiar with:P

My guy will do chin-ups from his swing, his dowel perch, an open door., usually during play sessions. I figure it's a way to stretch and strengthen muscles that don't get used because he doesn't fly.

Darth, if your balcony is like a friend of mine's, glass on all sides and glass sliding doors into the condo, here's what they did when they had to turn it into a temp. bedroom. At IKEA they have curtain systems that you can attach to the ceiling instead of a wall. My friends used their cable system, which is a thick, extremely strong wire, because it could be run around all four sides of the balcony. Then they hung curtains on all four walls. You could use blackout curtains if you want it completely dark for Nicky. With the balcony door closed, it would also be quiet for him. Zahra, I often have Dorian up till 10:00pm, especially if I've been away during the day and he hasn't gotten much time with me. I just make sure he gets a minimum 10 hours before I get him up in the morning. He usually lets me know if he's getting tired. He has a certain chirp that I call his tired birdy sound.