Imme

Hi Everyone, Wow, what a busy weekend with getting Kenya and bringing him home. Things got suffled around so I wasn't able to pick him up until the afternoon which worked out great since then I could go to the expo. He is home safe and sound, I'll have to post some pics of him IN the cage now . Yesterday, we left the cage door open and he came out on his own when we left him alone but wouldn't come off the cage. Then we tried to continue to leave him alone and then he came off the cage. Don't think he likes to be left alone as everytime I would do something else he would come out of the cage/come of the cage, whichever step was next.

And here is a pic from him two weeks ago (sorry for taking so long to post it in the first place, I'll do better in the future, hehe).

So just a little teaser for ya, here is a pic of his cage. Although I will be taking out a couple of toys to start.

But then everyone else in your family comes down with it. I wish tax session would be over already (I'm an accountant).

Brussel sprouts, hmmmmmm. If not for the money, would you take one of those first flights coming out where you travel to outter space (that Project X thingy)?

I don't know how to change the title of one of my threads but didn't want to start a new one for this either. But I just wanted to share that now it will be 24 HOURS until I get my Grey, finally :woohoo: .

I'm late in posting too Fawkes. Congrats Smithie. Even though you have a long 12 week wait in front of you, you are doing the right thing. I had to wait 8 weeks myself and have done so much preparing in that time. Seriously, I don't know how people do it when they decide to buy one and take it home the same day. There is just so much to learn, get prepared, etc. You will find this site to be a wealth of knowledge and very friendly people to help you out with any additional questions you have. Welcome!

Ok, time for me to put my foot in on all of these religous jokes about men vs women. And this one is from the Bible itself. When God created light He said "It is good". When God created the waters He said "It is good". When God created the sun, moon, and stars He said "It is good". When God created the fish and animals He said "It is good". When God created man He said "It is good". When God created woman He didn't say a thing, he knew He made a mistake right away. And let the flaming begin from the ladies B) .

Great ideas and suggests there Dave, karma for you. Just a few other tips I've picked up of things already in the house are to use bathroom and paper towel rolls, cut them up and string them, used popcial sticks, and cut up unprinted parts of cardboard boxes. If you want to add a dash of color use food coloring.

LOL, and now it becomes a game. I am wondering why people don't use water bottles instead of water dishes for their Greys? I am planning on using the bottle since he is trained both ways to prevent this game, especially since I work during the day and fear that he dumps the water out right after I leave and has none for the rest of the day. What is wrong with water bottles?

Awesome picture of Josey. Front page material for the web-site?

To give you an even better idea, the bird should not even leave it's Mother until they are six weeks old and then taken out by a breeder to hand-feed the baby. An Africian Grey is not fully weaned until it is 16 weeks old and during that 10 weeks with the breeder needs lots of attention and careful watching during this time to make sure it is growing up well. So 2 weeks is way to young by far. Like other posters have said, you should get it from a breeder and insist that it is fully weaned (16 weeks old) if you have never dealt with one before. I am just about to get mine on Saturday and I've had to wait 7 weeks (found him when he was 9 weeks old). Hope that helps with the next one you find. Feel free to ask lots of questions, the people here are very helppful so you get the right bird for you.

Chint, So sorry for the lose of Shaku to you and your family. I do hope you have the test done if for no other reason then to know and protect Raja from the same fate. I know it will be tough to do to one you love, but perhaps you really need to for the survivors. My first thought was teflon poisioning as well but don't know why Raja would not have been effected. Was your Mom cooking an Easter dinner at the time? Perhaps not a toy for the same reason as then why would both birds not be effected?

Congrats Judy!!! And in 10 monthes, WOW!!! Looking forward to your 20,000th post thread at Christmas . Thanks for all your help too.

I don't think I could be gone all day either (too excited and tempted to do like you say Siobha) but was thinking it would give him a chance to adjust and view his new surrounds like you said too. Thanks guys. Oh, and congrats on your 10,000 post there Judygram.

Thanks everyone. Judy, that's what I was trying to say about as prepared as possiable but never ready . I am sure that I will be on here with more posts as soon as I get him as that is when the really questions start. In fact, here is a question...I get him Saturday morning but there is a huge pet expo on Saturday too that I would like to go to (I also have ferrets and saltwater fish). Would it be good to leave him alone for a couple of hours when I first get him home to go to this and let him have some quiet time in his new surrounds so he can get comfortable or should I be there so he doesn't feel abandonded on day one? They will have a huge parrot area as well so I would love to go and learn more.

Boy, this takes forever this waitting to get him (been waitting 6 weeks now) but now we are down to SEVEN DAYS (no more week counts, woohoo). Tomorrow we move the bird cage into place and get it setup for his arrival. Last week I bought LOTS of toys (about $300) for him and setup a toy box, just hope it is enough to get him going . Also, thanks everyone for your comments on this site. I've read so much information to help prepare me for his arrival. Now all I can really do is wait and start learning from experience as knowledge can only take you so far. I don't think anyone can be prepared for the arrival of their first grey from what I've all read, but I'm trying to be as close as possiable. Any last tips as we get everything ready and in place tomorrow?

When you just get there you will realize that you forgot your passport in your sock drawer. I wish this wait to get my Grey would be over already.

Congrats Corrigaan. It will be a long wait if the egg was just laid but do go frequently once the egg has hatched. I've been going to visit every other week (2 hour drive each way) for about a month and a half. I have my last visit tomorrow as I get him in two weeks .

Falconeer, Sorry to here of your loss today. I am sure you tried your best to help him. Can you discribe the Couch position then?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but could it also mean he has to take a poop?

LOL, sorry, I guess I read your post wrong Raposa. How come you have to wait until week 18? I think my breeder is trying to get their birds out the door too soon (it sounds to me like week 15). What do you people think from the pictures, is he 12 weeks old at this stage and week 15 too early?

Raposa, Sorry to hear about Jenna's arrival having to be delayed. I hope the biting if her toenails and toes fixes up. That does not sound very good. Hope everything works out for you.

Haha, Nychsa, you really have a lively bird there don't you? Great photos of Bella, specially that last one where it looks likes she's about to fly at you. Love it.

And he likes to snuggle too. He kept putting his whole head into the crook of my arm, here he had just pulled his head out again. Oh, I hadn't seen him in two weeks (and only that time before) and the breeder told me to try to pick him out of 12 birds to see if I could refind him. After a couple of minutes I said I had it down to two of them and even of those two which would be my first choice. The first choice was him B) .