birdhouse

I couldn't find any different information than that page you have linked. See if the packaging says anything about added preservatives, salt, spices or oils. Saw a phone number on the website, too. If they really are only 100% dehydrated yams then. Oh yeah, bye by cheezits!!! Even better if Tesla likes bits of raw yam or sweet potato. But one of my guys only eats banana chips & not bananas, so who knows? Really... very glad if you find an alternative to junk food.

LOL I second that!! Here, we add a german shepard to the excitement. Phenix is revisiting the stage where I can't take my eyes off him for a second without his finding a way to torment the poor dog. I think he deliberately antagonizes her into doing things because he knows I have to "yell" at her & can't "yell" at him. The resulting sounds of joy & laughter are not those of one big happy family. So I really envy you!!

Same here. My guys spend a lot of time on theirs. Phenix plays on his & also acts like it's his roost. He likes to hang out on the back of it when he wants some alone time.

My guys are crazy for cherries, nuts, particularly walnuts & dried banana chips. I have 2 old plastic cocoa container I keep the nuts & banana chips in. If they even see me reach for one they start begging. Maybe you could try using these for bribery.

Lucky you, Jack is one of the timid types LOL But don't give up. It's important to find ways to keep him active & mentally challenged. Whenever he's out with you, try teaching him to play with common things like paper napkins, straws, bits of string or ribbon or paper, spoons, coffee filters, buttons, popsicle sticks, little twigs from safe wood. Some baby toys might get a good response. When you find something he'll interact with, put it into his cage when you return him. Eventually you could fill a food cup with little foot toys for him. He may do better starting with little foot toys if he finds the bigger hanging toys scary. Hopefully, you'll be able to fill his nice new cage with fun stuff pretty soon.

So glad to hear Kopi's improved enough to bring him home where he'll feel safe & loved. I hope you get the cause & Kopi gets cured very soon!!

Congratulations & way to go taking in an older grey!! I agree with Pearllyn. First see if he has any health issues. Then, give him time & patience to acclimate & learn to trust you. He should be responsive to better living conditions. But especially as he's a little older, it will still take some time for him to accept change. Right now it's about learning to speak his language & about getting acquainted. You have to work with him. Trust is the key here & you really have to earn it with a grey. Fear is the reason that a grey will bite most of the time. Then it's temper or to gain control which can also be fear based. Also, it should certainly help that you have previous experiences with your zon. But try to be aware that greys have a different perspective on things. You might really enjoy this post & benefit from it as well: http://www.greyforums.net/forums/showthread.php?191058-If-an-Amazon-and-Grey-were-humans!

Very nice! Hooray for you that Murphy transitioned so well. We set up Phenix last new cage next to his old one for a month. He still had major issues for some time after moving in. Are you thinking about getting natural wood branches? They're supposed to be good for the bird's feet because of the variable grip. I think they mine clean better than dowels too. Also once he finally accepted it, Phenix really likes his boing. He uses it all the time & it's usually his sleeping perch.

The picture alone is awesome. Thanks for posting this story.

So great to hear Angel's heading in the right direction!!!

Looking for professional help with Tesla is a fine idea. It would be advisable to interview a few people before you actually start doing anything, however. There are many approaches & not necessarily only one right way to work with him. A good trainer should always put the health & safety of the bird first. Causing a bird unnecessary anguish is never acceptable such as pushing it too soon or doing so amidst multiple stresses such as loud noises, cameras, mirrors, etc. Putting the bird at risk physically, should be unthinkable. As Tesla is unflighted and given the likelihood that he will spook during any session, consideration should always be made for cushioned landings. Panic can too easily result in broken bones or broken blood feathers. "Stick" training should be a last resort & still may risk even more severe long term emotional problems. Over the years a Grey owner will be bitten many times by their happy, healthy, loving, well acclimated bird. Anyone who does not advertise this up front, may well cause more harm than good. You'll know you're on the right track when you find the trainer who says, "The only training methods that work with a Grey are all about patience,trust & communication. Okay. And a liberal dose of bribery that does not include unhealthy treats."

I'm so sorry this wonderful experience has ended, Shanlung. I'm also very grateful that you chose to share it. Thank you very much.

I had to laugh. This sounds familiar. Phenix is just like that. He recently decided his boing was ok after having it in his cage for only 8 months. Such a shame some fids are so hard to convince when it comes to the good stuff. I think parronts get extra patience points for all efforts beyond the first year, though. Congratulations & thanks for sharing the video of the big break through.

That would be so much fun! 6 or 8 parrots & a 50 lb pumpkin. What a Glorious mess!! Greyt Halloween party game for your fids.

Patience; acclimating has to be at his pace. You're obviously doing a good job with Gumbeaux because he's talking & interacting with you. Ideally, you want a great diet for this guy. But please remember that this bird has been thru a lot. I think you said he was sick when he arrived, as well. Good intentioned though your attempts are, they can be another stressor at this point. Have you tried different types of pellets? They can be a bugger about switching. You would think that a bird who has been on the loose & hungry would eat anything. But a parrot will starve if denied what it thinks is acceptable food. Also, have you tried different types of fresh & cooked foods? There isn't a reason for a bird to have any pellets if he's given a good diet. You said Gumbeaux was obviously loved, so it could be that's what he's used to. A balanced diet would include seed, so that might be all he recognizes in what you're offering. He's been thru a lot in a comparably short time. The main concern is getting him stable emotionally & physically. So, the first priority is that he's getting enough to eat, then what. btw you're sounding a little like a new grey owner vs a foster parront...? (just sayin !)

I love to let the fids loose while I'm carving jack o lanterns. I've never seen any bad side effects. They have free reign of a huge pile of guts & pieces while I work. What seeds survive get cleaned. I usually hold out enough to feed raw the next day. The rest get baked for long term storage. Sometimes, even the people get some. Just seems like these huge, yummy, bright colored veggies are naturally designed for a parrot to want to tear into. Kind of like setting them loose on a fresh ear of corn still in the husk. Equal parts good food & good fun. One bad thing is finding out how far pumpkin can fly, like Aly said. But that's one of the benefits of having a dog who likes pumpkin. Also, everyone has to get a bath when they're done playing with their food.

My rule of thumb is to avoid anything I'd question because it's just not worth the consequences. I've stayed away from anything like baskets, mats, vines or hemp. These things are usually sent from overseas. I just assume that natural materials are fumigated before export. There's no way to know if they've been exposed to molds or chemicals. Kura got a hold of a "grass" coaster that looked to be uncolored. Within a few minutes she started to sneeze rapidly & violently. So violently she was slamming her head. The worst of this lasted for about 10 minutes & she didn't totally stop for about 20. It was scary & it made me gun-shy. I've avoided the shells because of possible naturally occurring bacteria. Also, I would be concerned about how & how well they were sanitized. Shells are also porous, so I'm concerned that they might retain scary chemicals. I do use the untreated wood shapes. Other than that, I usually limit toy material to things that are safe to put in our mouths.

Wow... momentary lack of sanity! I must have looked before & forgotten. On my bookmarked toxic list, acorns are listed in little type between two much bigger lines. TU J

Can you try contacting local bird vets to see if anyone will work with you in the meantime as Jingles said? Would your vet possibly help under the circumstance? Maybe the SPCA knows of someone or if you have a local bird sanctuary or zoo. There might also be some local bird guru's. Maybe you could let people know where you are & they will know of some bird keeper in the area who would know enough to help. I HATE these stories SO much!! Thanks for trying to help.

Just found my neighbor happily munching from a branch with a profusion of red berries. When I asked what she was eating, she said she didn't know but they were good & handed me a branch before I could say anything :eek: Did some edible wild plant research & they've turned out to be called among other things Autumn Olive or Silver berry. Seems they're very good nutrition people food-wise. Excellent nitrogen fixing plants which unfortunately makes them bad from an invasive standpoint. So, you know I couldn't see a branch heavy with bright red berries & not think the fids might really enjoy some. I've looked & I don't see them listed as being toxic. But I just thought I'd ask to be on the safe side. And while I'm asking, we have an outrageous crop of acorns this year. I've been wondering if they're ok, too?

Very nice! Thank you for sharing.

My guys like baby toys, too. Phenix fav used to be clear balls with spinning butterflies inside. That's how he started playing hockey on the floor of his cage. Still one of his favorite past times, but I usually give him cat balls, now. Can't find his "flutter" balls anymore.

You're both smarter than I am. I never thought to do this & wouldn't have thought it would be a good toy. Good luck with your little genius. Think we'll be hearing about some adventures in the future.!!

Not at all. It's because I don't see anyway to make my birds safe that I don't see them ever being allowed to fly free. I just wish I could give that to them, is all. Flight is, after all, the essential uniqueness of birds. My ekkie can never fly around the house because of her aerodynamics. I'm just very sorry that was taken from her because she was born a domesticated bird.