MazyAK

sshrop: I have a 5 gallon bucket with a 4 inch pipe cemented in the bottom. I go out and cut a big branch and stick it in the pipe hole and there you have it a climbing tree. After a month or so, sometimes in weeks they have chewed most of it up and I just pull it out of the bucket, cut the bigger limbs to screw in for cross perches in the new branch I put in the hole. As far as safe trees to use which are in your area you have probably already found the above mentioned "safe plant & tree" site. Here's a shot of our tree stand we have in the bedroom. We have one downstairs between the cages also. This one you see is ready to be replaced. But it gives you the idea Bruce & Mazy

Shamelessmuse: Since the vet visit is soon you will probably have to towel her. Do you have a travel cage nearby? If you haven't already put the travel cage where she can see it from her cage so she can get used to it. Yes, it'll be a screamfest when the time comes but you'll just have to go for it. If there is somebody other than yourself that can put her in the traveler, you won't be the bad guy. The vet can take out and put back at that end. As for the long term, be patient. Make sure the bird is secure by being locked in her cage. Leave the door open for short periods on and off. When you open it then move away and don't approach her cage . This may take days or weeks to coax her out, but as time goes and her curiosity gets the better of her she'll come out. When you get to that stage you can slowly approach and in a soft voice talk to her but still maintain some distance. It's a slow process, especially since you're having to get through habits and behavior which came with the bird. Good luck on the vet visit. Bruce & Mazy

Hey Leigh: lot's of good advice up above here. I'll be interested about any recent changes in personnel or conditions. Lots of threads on demanding birds. Definitely you will want to reward good behavior and ignore bad behavior. Give us some more details Bruce & Mazy

Welcome Marg: Your bird will get used to the dog as they see each other throughout the day. He will feel secure watching the dog from his cage with the door closed. This will give him his security so he is comfortable when the dog is in the room. Good luck with your new friend Bruce & Mazy

Welcome Nebraska from Alaska: Sounds like today s an exciting day. We look forward to hearing about the arrival and seeing some day one pictures. Keep us posted. Bruce & Mazy

Sheia: You have done a wonderful thing and i appreciate your dedication to this new member of your family. Good Luck and look forward to hearing how things go. You're off to a great start. Bruce & Mazy

Welcome Marlene: What has been said above should give you a good basis to start. Read the applicable threads and most all should get more familiar. See you out there. Bruce & Mazy

Welcome from Alaska: You're about to enter a new exciting life. A bond forever is taking place . Be slow, be patient, and maintain a secure feeling for your new friend and life will be good. Look forward to the big day , keep us posted. Bruce & Mazy

Scarlet: Welcome to the family. Spend a few days reading the threads and you will have way more than enough to go on. Good luck and see you out there. Bruce & Mazy

Welcome lyric: Sounds like you'll have a lot we can learn from you. We love pictures,,, so how about it,,,, Bruce & Mazy

Welcome Tikitimer: Great advice above. Definitely patience is your key. Take your time and read the forums and most all your questions will be answered. We look forward to hearing your progress and look forward to pictures. Bruce & Mazy

Welcome Greyce: Many new changes are have taken place for you recently. First we have to regain our feeling of security. Your cage is your safe place with the door closed. This allows you to watch the new comings and goings and get acquainted with the new members of your family. Eventually you may feel comfortable having your door opened for a while, and after a few days of this you will get too curious and venture out to the top of the door. Feeling good now aren't we. After time you will want more and then the new family member you pick out as your favorite (which you will probably do) might start offering their hand for you to step up on. This is great because you now have a way to go exploring other parts of your home with the security of you favorite person. Don't feel like you have to rush any of this. The family members will give you the space you need and progress at your pace. Enjoy your new life. Sounds like you've finally found your permanent home. Later from Alaska Bruce & Mazy

Casper: glad you could join us. You'll find your answers here. Now, your CAG is 7 months old. Since he's so young you need to expose him to new things, ie: carrier, new toys, very slowly. Let's take the carrier. While he's in his cage and door closed so he can feel secure, bring out the carrier and place it near his cage. Leave it there, open his cage door the next day which will give him the choice to come out or not.He will eventually and over the days his curiosity will get the better of him and he'll check it out. This makes new things familiar to him on his terms. When he's comfortable with the presence of the carrier , open the carrier door and put a couple of his favorite treats in. He'll do the rest. Before you know it you can get him to put himself in his carrier. A key here as with any grey related topic is PATIENCE! So have a lot of it and you're new friend will love and trust you forever.

Welcome from Alaska Motomozzo: I'm sure you'll find this to be a friendly and informative site. We welcome you to the family and as nevjoe said we like pictures. See you out there Bruce & Mazy

Rick: Welcome from Alaska. I know you've come to a great place for grey owners. There's so much to learn here. We love pictures so let's see the bird. Later Bruce & Mazy

Woody6, Welcome. Are the birds in separate cages or in one? You have had some changes which can be contributory . Definitely there is a lots of threads on plucking and will probably help you immensely. The vet is always a first start if you can. Good luck. Bruce & Mazy

Hello & Welcome Patsyrat: Same for us up here in Alaska we have 10 feet of snow where I live. Welcome to a great bird site. Bruce & Mazy

Excellent post Tari: Thanks for sharing that one , ,,,,,yes I book marked it and will follow Bruce & Mazy

welcome ssgem76 from Alaska: As you have seen by others input a grey is a lifetime commitment , but well worth it , if birds are a passion for you. Obviously my geograghic location prevents me from having any advice as to where to find a grey but just know that patience, commitment, and loyalty are required when owning one of these marvelous birds. My one cent of input is that a grey usually takes to one member of the household. Are the other members of your home willing to be in the fringe, and more important, what if the grey takes to someone in the house other than you. There is almost everything on this site to read which will help you make your decision. Good Luck and look forward to hearing your progress. Bruce & Mazy

Nirav: Welcome from Alaska. Judygram is right. On your part the key is PATIENCE! I'll keep it short and tell you to scour the forum and read, read, read and most of your questions will get answered. Good luck and see you out there. Bruce & Mazy

Tracy: You've been holding out on us. You've got some talent. OK now do more so I can see them. That's great Bruce & Mazy

I just love all the picture. You'd think we'd get tired of looking at picures of the same colored birds all the time , but we don't do we? That's tells us we're true grey lovers. Bruce & Mazy

One day I left the house for 5 hours and put the TV on an "Andy of Mayberry" marathon. When I got home she could whistle the whole theme song. Now it's her favorite song and now my least favorite. Bruce & Mazy<br><br>Post edited by: MazyAK, at: 2008/01/16 09:47

Nycsha: yes believe it or not. If I put the cold water in her drinking bowl and less cold in her bath bowl she drinks the bath water and bathes in the drinking bowl, and visa versa. One day I put just one ice cube in and she wouldn't leave the bath until it had melted, but the best part she likes is getting dry with the blow dryer. When completely dry she gets mad when I turn it off. Turn it back on and she's happy again. Turn it off and she gets on my case. Mazy doesn't like towels and I only use it for toe nail clipping or if she needs transport and is being stubborn. I don't let her air dry, it takes too long and besides we live in Alaska. Bruce & Mazy<br><br>Post edited by: MazyAK, at: 2008/01/16 09:41

Hey snoop: I let Mazy ride on my shoulder but I always make sure it's my choice whether it's my hand or shoulder. Sometimes she wants on the shoulder and I insist on the hand or nothing. What I'm saying is that it's me in command as to where she rides. As we go through our daily chores and normal routine I have her on my shoulder . She loves to be involved in the day to day routine. sometimes she gets all high and mighty on my shoulder and stretch to get her eyes above mine. I just raise my head higher and then put her off or on my hand. Face it you will get a nip once in a while, but you would know the difference from a real good bite. If a bite does happen to me it's because I have made a somewhat quick movement with her on my shoulder and it's just her grabbing to hold on. It is a personnel choice. I love the option. Bruce & Mazy