Marlene

Now that's a picture to ponder.

It is generally not a problem changing the paper many times but some days I am either in the workshop all day or out working and simply am not home to change the paper. I really like the idea of a play pen where I can scatter "stuff". I'm sure if constructed properly he will be able to come into the workshop with me and be safe in it. Mmmmm...needs some thought.

My kids had better take Gus on - on pain of me doing some haunting! Fortunately he really adores my one daughter. The other daughter gets strips torn off her fingers if she pays too much attention to him.

Thanx guys. Fortunately he does not poop much in his cage so thats a real plus.

Okay, I get it now. Gus does do the snuggle thing at night. He rubs up against my cheek. But hugs dont work for him. I guess he's hugging me but all I'm allowed is to tickle him when he's at it.

That is one seriously cute bird!!! Congratulations!!! Many happy, loving, cuddling, kissing and scratching years ahead. Enjoy!

This thread has been so therapeutic. What a laugh!!! Shame on you all! one day your children (who will have inherited the sweet bird) will be having tea with the minister and the bird will share the little gem.

Thanx Ronda, that is sooo cute!

Gus has a cage that does not have a grate at the bottom. I place news paper at the bottom and this has worked out fine. He does not often poop in his cage but sometimes he just cant help it. Here's the problem...He does eat in his cage and he prefers wet food so even his pellets are soaked in juice. He gets fruit, veg and egg food mix (includes shrimps, corn, peas, wheat etc etc.) in his cage. One of Gus' faveorite games is to find something on the bottom and play with it. There is no lack of toys higher up but sometime the floor is the place to play. When he's playing he rolls over and chews on whatever he's got. This is evidently heaps of fun. However, he is likely to get real grubby sometime real soon. I do not fancy the idea of washing poop off his back (and I don't think he will enjoy the experience any more than I) but unless I'm running up and down changing his cage every 2 hours this seems inevitable. How do I stop the rolly poly game inside the cage?

I understand that South Africa has one of the best climates in the world. I personally love the weather. We gripe about the heat at mid-day in summer where it reaches all of 35 deg C, and we gripe about the cold in the mornings in winter when its 5 deg C. However summer mornings and evenings are absolute bliss. A sundowner on the patio as the birds settle for the night is as close to heaven as one can get.:woohoo:

I keep seeing posts where people are saying how they hug, snuggle or cuddle their birds. This may be a crazy question but what exactly do you mean? Gus will happily sit on my lap, finger or shoulder and allow me to stroke him, scratch his head, play with his feet, stroke under the wings or even play with his "soft fluffies" around his tail and lower body. But somehow, he just does not do hugs. It seems he does not really like to have his wings restricted in any way. I notice this to be the same with my tiel as well. I can put my hand over his back and hold him but he does not snuggle into my neck or anything that you guys seem to talk about. Am I mis-understanding?

Also from SA. I got Gus for R1800. Which is also really cheap in dolars. The price here dropped dramatically a few years back. Apparently this was due to the fact that we had some ostiches die from some horrible bird desease some years back and as a result we have not been allowed to export birds for a while. Gus was 7 weekks old when I got him and he's now 5 months old.

Back to the Southern Hemisphere... Very sunny South Africa. We get to see snow on average every 20 to 25 years. 1981 was my first time, then some areas of Gauteng had some last winter. Generally verrrry hot in summer and mild winters.

Thanx a ton. Although I must admitthat I have yet to clap eyes on frozen fruit (other than berries) in South Africa I know I can feed frozen veg without comprimising Gus' health.

Sorry, did not know I'm raking over old coals here. Please don't feel obliged. I will look for the link. Thanx

Wow! 70 is quite something!

That is one seriously cool play stand. I SO want one!

We have all seen the sites that tell us that greys can live up to 60, 75 or even 80 years of age. However, the oldest bird I have ever come accross was 29 - she was the pet of the breeder that I got Gus from. I thought it would be interesting just to do a snap poll. How old is your bird?

That is just so exciting. I am waiting in great anticipation for Gus to say something that I am 100% sure of. I'm green with envy. Congrats!!! I'm just thrilled for you!

Whilst we all know that fresh is always best and I certainly always give fresh veg, but I saw a post asking about frozen. Peas, for instance. Sometimes I find it difficult to find nice fresh peas si I get the frozen kind because my family loves peas. Would it be ok to give Gus frozen peas (or any other frozen veg) or would one rather give an alternative - such as beans or broccoli? Second Q (if I may) I've seen you guys talk about red palm oil. I've done some trawling but cant find much about it. Does someone have the link for me. What is it, why's it good for greys etc.??? Thanx

Congrats LMG. I am sure you guys are going to spend many happy years together. Please could you (or anyone for that matter) let me know what the difference between a CAG and a TAG is - other than the obvious physical characteristics. I'm new to the forum but you said here that you have always wanted a TAG - why is that? Pure curiosity.

These birds are awesome. I just love the white ones. however, no bird will ever be as gorgeous as my baby - (parents!!!) and he's just a common CAG. I saw some pics in a birdy mag a few months back of those wonderful reds but the white is new to me. Thanx so much for sharing them with us.

I tried some of these tricks this morning. We had some pear and grapes together. Worked like a charm - Thanx.

Teh thing is, I am so aware of how bad a seed only diet is. My TAG got very ill a few years back and when we found out that it was his seed only diet we were horrified that we had done that to him. Over time we managed to convert him to pellets but he always refused anything else. The pellets were only accepted after trying many different brands. However, fruit, veg, chicken, legumes - you name it he never did eat them. Gus fortunately will nibble on these other things so as I cut down on the formula, I plan on offering less and less seed. Would this be the way to do it or should I leave the seed till he's completely off formula? He is my special child and I really want to do what's best for him.

Thanx so much for asking. Gus is still not really interested in the mushy stuff, the warn stuff, the pellets, the lovingly prepared fruit & veg etc. He eats seeds if they are there. However, I'm not mad about him eating only seed. I am still giving him 2 feeds a day but he's happy with about 40ml. I am planning on dropping his morning feed sometime this week as he has not lost much weight aftr dropping the mid day feed. He is still a happy birdy. Yesterday he was on my shoulder and I asked for a kiss which he gave me. I thought "No, it was flook." and asked again, I again got one. This went on for about 10 min and I'm still so stoked.