bettyboop

Kim, I use white vinegar a lot . I also use my favorite smell good cleaners diluted . I do not burn candles except in my back bath area , which is one place they never make it back to .If something smells a bit strong , I just crack a window slightly . I also have air cleaners , so usually I have no smells .We keep all potty lids closed and I use the regular standard cleaners . I have had no problems . mARY

Our Grey is doing the same thing , as long as he gets his way all is well.I pet him and scratch his head , so he knows he is loved .Now he will step up for my husband and he carries Sammy around .There is just somthing that I do , like bath time , clean his cage etc .It will be Ok .Just try it and see how she does ...Or go ahead , when she steps up after she flies off the cage , take her to a neutral room and shut the door slowly and visit .They are usually pretty easy going in another area away from the cage.Check out Sally Blanchards book Companion Parrot , you can purchase on amazon .It really helps to have a good book to help us .I have her book and it really helped with my Alexandrine . Mary<br><br>Post edited by: bettyboop, at: 2008/05/21 21:41

Hi Kim , I think Judy meant enough time to get used to you and to bond with you . I have no problem with my birds hanging out on their cage , if thats what they want to do , thats great . My CAG , goes in and out , and so does our Alexandrine . Sounds like you are giving her plenty of attention time. But what I suggest is leave her alone , do not try to take her off the cage , let her stay there , you pull up a chair and visit with her , read childrens story books to her . This is attention without stress.Picking her up may be creating stress because she has not bonded with you yet .Our Sammy has been her 2 months and one day . I do not step him up unless he flies to the floor , then I step him up and return him to where we want him which is not on my furniture . Hang toys on her cage on the outside , let her walk around , just watch her .The reason she wants to get back to the cage is because that is her home , she feels safe , it is her only piece of real estate.As I have said before our first Grey would not let us near him for 7 or 8 months . He played on top of his cage and would go back in and I would shut the door .Then one day I was reading to him and he crawled down that cage onto the chair and sat in my lap .From then on he was like a baby .I didnt rush him . I told him OK , whenever you are ready , but I sat by his cage everyday for about an hour a read , talked and visited with him ...She has to relax with you , the kids , the home etc.. Mary

Most likely , she will figure out who is boss.Don't give up or in .She will figure it out .You are doing a good job , just continue showing her who the boss is. Mary

Oh my , I have two and I do notneed or want another .LOL Mary

Yes Pam I understand we all need suggestions .LOL..I bought a new play stand for Sammy and he won't go near it . Mary

Lovely picture , thanks for sharing .Yes I would love to have my Grey with me at that time in my life . Kind regards , Mary

Great story , lucky you , and very lucky beautiful bird .Keep on writting . Mary SORRY I HIT THE BUTTON TWICE.....<br><br>Post edited by: bettyboop, at: 2008/05/20 21:21

Great story , lucky you , and very lucky beautiful bird .Keep on writting . Mary

Omg, what an awesome story , just today I felt the need to bless those less fortunate than myself.This is just a confirmation to me to carry on .. You have a gift and perhaps you should consider writting or ministry .You choose .LOL..... I visited your profile and am curious about the artwork you display . Can you tell me something about it ? I am so glad you have Gracie, she is beautiful .Also just curious again , what does she eat ? Her Feathers are so healthy looking . Thanks for the awesome story about answered prayer. Mary

I agree, about the bite ....Sammy scares the doolittle out of me..Funny he loves my husband so much and he bites him also . He just laughs .The lady we bought him from says he hates men and has never bitten anyone .................Oh well . Lowering the cage may help . I would also consider giving her more time , she has only been with you a couple of weeks , right ? It takes time for trust to build , and you need to ask before you do anything , "iS this a trust builder or trust breaker"?They are really smart and I am always trying to use logic to figure them out .I don't know if it is possiable.LOL.. Take care , Mary

Pam , I was not being critical , I can tell you are a very loving , good care taker and she is soooo lucky to have you. I also have a new guy and I know what it is like , he is very trainable but at his pace .LOL.. Another good book is COMPANION PARROT BY Sally Blanchard . You can purchase from Amazon or her website COMPANIONPARROT.COM. It is a great book and her website is helpful also .Keep in touch , Hugs Mary

Happy Birthday to Topaz also . Have a fun day Tari. Bettyboop

Thats funny Toni , my Alexandrines name is Zsa Zsa after Ms. Gabor . Anyway Avery Happy Birthday wish to Alcazar. Have a Happy Day ... Bettyboop

Hi goldn 1, I also have a rehomed CAG , which has been here exactly two months today . Two months is not near enough time for these guys . It might take months like our Grey before this one took 8 months before he would step up . Your bird was cage bound for 7 years , it might take a long , long time to undo that baggage . Just be patient , like the rest of us are trying to be .HA HA. I see no reason to say that any bird is bad , look how this poor thing has been abused . Who knows what they have been through ? Greys are very sensitive. Kind Regards, BettyBoop

LOL..... Sammy likes rap, silly thing !!!I play it when I am out of the house .LOL... M

Hi Kim , as I mentioned earlier to you , she is a female which if she is anything like my female Alexandrine she might be a little more protective than a male with the cage .Also , lets remember the pet store , how long was she locked up in that cage , perhaps long enough to not want to be in there . Our TAG, had been left alone in a cage for a long time , when we got him , he did the same thing .The only way we helped him was let him out on his own , just open the door , let him come out .When he went to the floor , then we could step him up , however if we started back towards the cage he would bite . Again , we just took the bite and he would look at us for a reaction .We wised up and stopped reacting and he stopped biting.They love the drama. She hasnt been with you long, so maybe just let her have some time , it took us 7 or 8 months with out TAG.Try just opening the cage and let her do her own thing , put some yummy treats back in the cage when you are ready for her to go back . Also ,it takes time for you to learn to know her as it does for her to know you.She is rehomed so she has baggage, you have no idea most likely what her prior owner allowed .So as with a child , slowly undo what you don't allow .Praise the positive and ignore the negative . Sorry this is so long . Kind Regards, Mary<br><br>Post edited by: bettyboop, at: 2008/05/20 13:02

No , Sammy is not clipped and I don't like clipping my birds . Dave that is an awesome explanation which explains it perfectly . Thank you , BettyBoop

Just curious from the more educated owners , why do Greys fall from the perch so easily , and why are some of them lacking in flying skills ? Sammy flies well but always has such a rocky landing . He falls some but others have mentioned their Grey falls a lot off the perch . Is there a logical explanation for this ? Thanks in advance , BETTYBOOP

Johnny , I like your advice!!!!! BettyBoop

Yes , I have music on in our home all the time and Sammy doesnt stop . His prior owner said he didn't talk much , more sounds ....Well he hasnt stopped since he arrived , maybe it is the music. Bettyboop

Wow that is awesome . I am so excited for you ......I know you are sooooo proud of him .You should be , isn't this unusual ? I guess we should never give up . My Alexandrine talked before Sammy came to live with us and she stopped , now she only talks to him . I hear her when I am in the other room . Oh well , she will talk to a man and not her Mommie . UM . What does that tell ya ? Congrats , so excited for you ....Wow , good news..... BettyBoop

Another good site is NALANITOYS.COM . I am expecting a shipment today , I like this company because they really stress the safty of their toys and most of the stuff is Grey Approved . Bettyboop

Such good parents to take such wonderful care of Tobie , hope things continue to improve . Mary (bettyboop)

One thing that caught my attention is his feet. Do the feet look OK to everyone ? They look unhydrated or under developed. What do you guys think ? Very small . BettyBoop