Woody6

All my birds are flighted and I'm very happy with it. The biggest con to flighted birds is them crashing into things 'or' getting outside and taking flight. However, I know of birds with clipped wings that have taken flight and crash into things and outside because the wind picks them up so I guess it is personal preferrence really. I do not take by birds outside unless they are in a harnest.

SheilaS that is just too funny. Good for Ryan for being so smart about getting a flash light. I can just picture the scene! Kinda brought me to a paranormal moment! LOL

great idea BMustee

They were young probably around his age now and it was the balloon specifically that caused the problem. Is your bird afraid of the cover? I know when I cover them I also make a game of it so they do not get upset about the cover going over the cage. Since the cover is not working have you tired keeping him uncovered and just turn out the light for the night?

Great point about the chemicals BMustee. I also wonder if the bird would feel neglected because the bird would no longer be able to hear the normal noises of the house while in the cage. Those normal noises the bird is used to would be gone too if the bird was segregated to another building. It is beginning to sound like a 'cold' thing to do without intending to be that way. I hope the big cage in the house can be reckoned to be accepted as being there because that is the birds home and the best place for the sweetie to be....in the house with its flock.

I had a simular experience with my greys and found that it was because my children left a floating balloon unattended and the balloon was bobbing up and down the back of the cage. I had to take them out of the cage and calm them down. Now I have the cage completely covered at night and have not had a problem as of this point in time. Do you cover the cage at night? If not maybe that may be the problem. I have not heard of birds 'falling' off their perches while sleeping even though it could be possible. Maybe some kind of shadow scared the bird and covering the cage could eliminate that issue.

plucking update - Deliliah has stopped her plucking. Yea!!!! Messiah has started plucking a little here and there but otherwise he is okay too.

She may be right that he doesn't like her because of the toweling and clipping she did to him while he was with the other owner. He sounds friendly and he would be a great addition to your family if you have the patients to let him warm up to you and for the occasional bites you may get. I have four children and the birds / children have adapted to each other but my children don't really handle them all that much because they can bite. Do you have the time to spend with him to work on a bond and incorporating him into your 'flock' (family)? If so, maybe he would be a great addition.

The fluttering is a form of exercise. My birds mostly do it after I let them out of the cage. It is pretty funny to see because they hang on to the cage with their beak and flutter like mad. When I hold them I will hold their feet firmly and have them flutter their wings. We make a game of it so they know we are having fun while exercising. My birds also like to stretch their talons and wings while I hold them.

Karma to you spookyhurst. It is a tough decision whether to move the grey to the shop and giving a link that could help with the cold is awesome. My only concern would be the temperature fluctuation between the house and the shop, however, I know many bird owners that take their greys with them to work all the time which means the birds are subjected to the temperature change while in transport. If you are going to be in the shop with the bird and you can make sure the environment is warm enough (by getting the recommended heater) then go for it. I can tell you just want your grey to have more to see but if you are not going to be in the shop I would not put the grey in there. They grey may get stressed by the new scenery (all the windows) which may actually make the poor thing really stressed out with all the moment it may see going by all those windows. It sounds like you have a happy bird so it may mean continuing to deal with the large cage in the room instead of the sweetie being alone in a shop. Just my thoughts.

Try bringing your hand behind her feet and then push up a little on her tush to pull her off balance and tell her to step up. Almost like sweeping her off her feet. I learned that from a fellow bird handler when she saw me having 'fear' of a particular bird that is on consignment at my favorite store. It worked like a charm. Maybe you may have success with it too.

Beautiful pictures of your baby!

You paused time and life got quite boring. I wish I felt rested

My babies have chewed chunks out of my remotes, they have chewed pieces off of picture frames, they have ripped holes into my computer chair, they have ripped off the tip of the toe of my sneakers, they have ripped apart my theomostate and they love to put holes in my shirts. It is so funny. They love to destory things. You can almost see the delight in their eyes as they do it. We love to keep clean bottle caps for them to chew on. I like the ideas of baby toys at Wal-Mart and even toys at the dollar store. It can sure save us alot of money. I think I will look into that this weekend. Thanks everyone.

Karma to you BMustee. That was a great idea about the toys with different textures and sound. SheilaS is warms my heart that you have such a fondness for all the animals in your home. Especially the new addition. I am a sucker for greys! Best wishes to you and to new new grey. I personally like the name ray but that may be bias since my husband and one of my son's name is Ray.

If you mean permits (papers) they are only required in the States that say you have to have them. I have permits for my two greys because it is required by the state of NJ. PA individuals do not have to have permits. I did not know that bands are a pet shop thing.

My birds are out for about an hour in the morning as my husband gets the boys ready for school (I'm at work at 6:00 am so I'm not there in the morning). They come out again sometime between 12 noon and 5 pm (depending on the day) and they stay out until I go to bed or until I get too overwhelmed with them constantly following me and wanting to be with me when I have a lot to do. I play calling games with them if I'm in another room and sometimes they fly down to the floor to come find me.

My male was named by my too younger boys and they picked Messiah. I said that was a pretty big name for a bird. Deliliah got her name from my husband because she tempted him with her bird noises and affection. I added middle names to the birds because when I want my children's attention I call them by their first and middle name. Hence the birds names are: Messiah Matthew Deliliah Rose My cockateil's name is Sonny but that was his name when we bought him on consignment. He was nine when we got him so we kept the name. One of the finches name is Samantha (Sam for short) and I forget the other one's name. My younger boys named the finches.

if cost is not a factor I like the second link the best. 61818 HQ Large Parrot Aviary Cage

Nychsa I understand exactly what you are saying! At times the bird picks its owner. That is how it was with Deliliah. She picked us and we took her home the very same day. It was love at first site. Messiah was just a baby when we bought him (6 weeks) and we bonded with him for two months before actually bringing him home. I thought the TAGs were cute but the CAGs seem to be more friendly and persistent. If I had the room I'd buy more CAGs but alas my quiver is full.

Welcome ak1. I was wondering if anyone has secrets in trianing the greys to speak or the link to the forum that addresses this issue. I find it amazing that these birds on the threads are speaking at such a young age.

Wow, that is so cool. Congrats!

here is a picture of me with my hubby

My daughter works for Wal-Mart at the moment and loves every minute of it. She starts her real job on Feb 4th as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant). She talks about how all the employees do a cheer every single morning and how funny it is. I do not shop at Wal-Mart but that is mainly due to the fact that they over stock their stores and there is not much room to get between the iles of stuff. I'd rather pay a little more more and have room to move around the store and look at the stuff.

but the lights are out and you cannot see. I wish I was on a cruise in the carribian.