coachdes

Ioniers are not the same as air purifiers and can harm birds as well as children/elderly with breathing concerns because they create heavier ozone levels. The ionier divides particles causing them to fall to the floor. If the particle was harmful, it is not harmful in that way anymore, but if you don't run your vacum everyday, particles you cant see will pile up and you & your bird will be breathing all of it in. This can cause all sorts of lung problems.

Good Luck, I only read half the emails before I scrolled down to post. I think its wonderful what you're doing. I can't say I would have done anything differently but I also know way to well; the feeling of being in over your head! You'll be fine though, I can feel your compassion through your email and the birdds are so much closer. It won't take them very long until they realize they are in safe, loving and supportive environment and things will fall into place. Last night my bird fell in love with one of those brown paper grocery bags. I have a son that has small figurines that the bird is also very fond of. I wonder if you can just look around your house and gather non-toxic items/toys that you could introduce to them? I also read a book about the natural instints of African greys which spoke about their extreme need to be safe which could help- I'll get the name from home. I read another interesting article about getting the bird's mind off of the plucking as a successful way to deter it. It said there are numerous sucessful studies of teaching birds computer skills as way to keep them occupied, happy and calm. I wonder if it really works? Who knows, maybe i a couple of years this website will really be ran by the birds! (If it's not already.

Thank you for your advice, I'll stop by the grocery store again today and try your treat this evening... I add spiritulina and acidophilus to every third feeding so I'd really be surprised if she got an infection. She discovered a brown paper bag last night in my kitchen while we were putting groceries away and put on the funniest show I have seen in a long time. She was playing peek-a-boo which none of us have thought her. She was really excited that she could climb into this bag in peck at it. Has anyone else experienced that? It was so cute- I wish I would have recorded it.

I need a little information also, my grey is 10 weeks old and not interested in food at all. I keep placing freshly soaked pellets in her cage and occasionally I have seen her pick them up and throw them but that's about it. At what time do they become interested? I have another question- We had to actually play wuth her toys- pretend we had beaks- and toss them around before she started to play with them. My question is am I suppposed to do that sort of thing to introduce her to eatting? Thanks again for all of the advice everyone here so pleasantly offers. I really appreciate it.

I don't know if this is still a viable thread but I wanted to let everyone know that Gismo and I are bonding more. I think as she gets older and is into more things, I am appearing to be more fun for her. I have started announcing "broadcasting" everything I'm doing while I am around her and I think she actually acts interested. We read a book about Greys being animals of prey and therefore being a little more nervous than other birds. Gizmo needs constant reassurance and now that I've figured that out and can provide that for her, I think she likes me more. Now if I could just get her to start weaning...

My African grey has occasionally tried to nip at me and yells when I go near her cage. She growls at me and has ven lunged at me before. I am very sweet to her, I am the one who feeds her and cares for her the most but it is obvious she prefers David and son Zack. If I act like what she does isn't important and ignore her behavior, will it go away? I've had her for five weeks now and this is somethig that started over the weekend.

I'm new here too but what help do you need with your baby grey? I have a baby grey for five weeks now...eight weeks old, maybe I can assist?

I still don't know how to post in proper locations and I'll probably continue to post until I learn (directions please) I'm curious over somethings I've discovered and though maybe I get request your responses to what seem to be some "odd facts". For instance- I read that I'll have to teach my CAG to drink water and how to perch (when she is ready). I further read that if I don't teach her how to perch that her feet could grow to be paralized. Is that true? Does anyone else know if this or other tales they're learned of to be true or not true? Please share & Thanks

Thank you for your support. My husband doesn't know what he did when we allowed us to purchase this baby! He made a comment shortly after Christmas that the baby was getting more attention than he...I've let him hold Gizmo more since (babies are supposed to be in their brooders)... I'm beginning to feel neglected as well but we love our baby! Thanks again for all the support I've found here. Its really appreciated.

Thank you both for your replies. I have had requests to take him back to the breeder and even one to get my money back. I unknowling supported what I now know is a hugh problem and I don't want to add to it but I already love the Grey! I appreciate your welcoming me to the group- what is Karma?

I shouldn't have included Telfon, sorry I know it's toxic. I was just typing faster than I was thinking. Sorry. Do your Grey's have a favorite color?

I'd like to get an idea of what African Greys like verse what he/she doesn't & maybe start a collection of ideas and mishaps for future reference. For example I've heard they usually like hard boiled eggs, items in small brown paper bags, kabobs, classical music, toys, TV and pomegranates. I’ve heard in general they don’t like mirrors, Teflon, and loud kids. I know its not good to generalize and all parrots can be different so, I ask what are your Greys likes and dislikes? Thanks for your replies a head of time...B)

Hi all, I'm also new to the forum, I thought I introduced myself in my profile, I didn't realize I needed to do it here as well until someone asked me too. Let me start off by thanking the adminstrators of this website, I appreciate it and am truly looking forward to getting to know all of you and getting to know my bird as well. I'm Des by the way & a proud parent of a baby African grey named Gizmo. I've had birds in the past but never anything this big. Mainly finches and parakeets. I grew up on a working farm with pigs, horses, cows, chickens, rabbits, raccoons, deer- you name it there’s a chance that either me or one of my brothers or sisters had it at one time. We even had a skunk name Molly for about two years. I look forward to someday giving that experience to my seven year old son but being in the army; we’re not able to right now. In stead we will have to get by with our dogs, cat, turtles and new bird. I have several family members who share their home with birds including Greys, it was based on their suggestion that I decided to bring Gizmo into our home. Forgive me but I feel I need to address the fact that...I...without knowing better...bought a baby. I ask you forgive me now! I did what I thought was responsible research before we decided on an African Grey but didn’t know not to buy a baby. I contacted the better business bureau and Google searched the breeder’s name- no complaints or warnings posted there. I apologize that I didn’t know enough when he told me that the normal time to adopt an African Grey is three weeks; Gizmo was almost four weeks already so I brought her home. Since then, I’ve found that many consider buying a baby that young irresponsible. I apologize; I didn’t know- I’ve loved her since the first time I laid eyes on her though so I couldn’t return her even if I wanted too. Can you imagine my surprise when I Google searched- hand feeding baby Greys and saw all the buy beware notifications that are then posted? I think it scared me for a week. Please be reassured that I’m caring for her the best I can; she's well and I think she’ll actually be fine. I’ve done so much research since I’ve gotten her that it should be added to my Masters degree! Not that I know everything but I am off to a good, yet expensive start; I have two brooders- one for home and one for work and a caring cage with a heating pad that I plug into my car for the ten mile journey to my office and home each day (I live in Orlando Florida). I monitor the brooder temperature, weight, food temperature, amounts, behavior, sleep patterns, I have a web cam in her cage at home and baby monitors everywhere. She is on what I think is a good schedule, eats four times a day, has plenty of toys (doesn’t notice them yet) She has already seen a vet- twice & my sister is also a vet- equestrian though. Please don’t get me wrong, Please rest assured my baby is in good hands, Know that I appreciate the warnings I have received concerning my little one. I just want to get the point across that once you fall for a bird - it seems to be a little too late to take corrective actions. I'm putting this out there with the hope that maybe everyone could forgive and accept me and maybe instead of the warnings that are a little too late about purchasing unweaned babies- we could get the message to the right people and get it banned in the United States. It wouldn’t be so lucrative if breeders could be fined for it. As for me, I do feel bad; I’m actually a really responsible person. I promise- I’ll do everything short of giving Gizmo away to do the right thing for her. I've even considered boarding her until she’s bigger but my vet said we’re doing as well as they would. I think I own more then everything they have to care anyway. I hope this forum can see my heart and help me to be another bird advocate in this world. I want to learn everything that’s out there concerning Greys. They’ve touched my heart. I’ve already started convincing my other half that our sun room needs to be converted into a bird sanctuary so please for the sack of a potential bunch help me out! Don't worry, I give it at least a year before I call any contractors! Hope I've convinced the forum to open your hearts and share your secrets! Please know I already appreciate your time and effort in this behalf and look forward to getting to know everyone. Take care & God Bless Des

Hi, I am new to the forum and am looking for this advice myself. I am thinking about getting a second Grey and was looking into some of the rescue organizations. It seems to me like it might be the responsible thing to do. I've been told it might be a good idea to my baby a "nanny bird" to help her socialize. It looks like my sunroom is turning into my grey room; any suggestions?

I give my bird spirulina and acidophilus on the advice of my vet to build up her immune system and help her grow stronger. Its too soon to judge but I think it helps.