bettyboop

how very cute..... Many tanks Mary and Sammy

Like I posted before , the more time you spend with this guy , reading , talking offering treats , the better he will become . You can't pick him up because , sorry to say , he is running the show . He needs to be retrained . Just start all over , a bird that won't step up or allow you to handle is out of control . My Alexandrine was so hard to break from biting when she first came home , I had to just bite the bullet and show her she was going to step up , sure I bled a couple of times , but she does not do that anymore because she knows she is still going to step up. Just be kind and if he bites , show no reaction and sit him down and walk away . It may take a bit of courage on your part but this is sad that he can't be enjoyed . They are wonderful amazing creatures and it is us , including myself, who messes things up , not them..Be very calm and gentle and slow your energy down when you aproach him .He needs to be out of his cage everyday, and I don't think buying another bird will help . Kind Regards BettyBoop<br><br>Post edited by: bettyboop, at: 2008/05/13 15:08

Happy Birthday and thank you to Alcazar and Dayo . Time flies.... BettyBoop

Oh how neat , all of these May Birthdays. Happy Birthday Josey and Bella from Sammy and Mary ....

Sammy is turning 3 on Thursday .... Happy Birthday Sammy.......

Congrats on the new bird .Your gonna love her . Mary( BETTYBOOP)

Welcome Matt , this is a great group of people who all love the Grey. Keep us posted on your new one when you get him/her . BETTYBOOP

Oh I agree with lovemygrey and Judy , any bird who plucks needs a bath daily . He is probably irritaed and itchy , try the aloe and the shower . This guy needs a bath . Just move slow and be very patient and gentle with him , talk softly and explain this is a good thing to help make him feel better . Usually after a bath they are so calm and relaxed . When he gets upset , be very patient and kind , if you get upset , he will get more upset .Greys are basically water proof so if you are using a mister , it's going to take about 30 spritzes and then you still might not get to the skin , my bird has just started accepting spray misters and finally lifts his wings for a good soak , now he goes to his water bowl after the spray . Actually I think he has learned this from my Alexandrine .Good Luck , sorry I asked so many questions Mary (BETTYBOOP)

Sorry to hear this guy is having problems . Harrisons is a very good food , perhaps he is bored with it . Also I purchased from Dr.Foster and Smith a stainless steel skewer which I put apples, canteloupe ,celery , anything chunky on and it keeps my CAG busy for a long time . I also take squares of white tissue and tie with ribbon or cotton twine , inside I place treats and tie these all over my birds cages . They love foraging for the treats . It can be chunks of veggies , like carrots , celery , etc..Anything to keep them busy . Also you might try adding omega oils to his diet . I use flax seed meal , sprinkled on their food and a drop of olive oil daily . The Aloe is good but some problems start on the inside of the body..Also try sitting by his cage and reading story books to him daily for 15 or 20 mins. without other animals . I also sit with my birds at least an hour a day and talk to them , about anything ..In their face time . Rotate toys a lot , move his cage to another location ,just to break the boredom . Also do you use an avian light ? How many hours of in the dark , undisturbed sleep does he get ? At least 10?Always a daily bath ..... Just some suggestions , good luck and keep us posted . Bettyboop

Hello Calvin, Anyone who owns birds should always take every precaution to keep the dander under control . The birdsnway artical is very informative . My husband has Asthma, our Grey does not affect his breathing , however I vaccum daily and run a dust cloth over pretty much all of my house (quickly) everyday . If you see white dust on furniture floors etc.....you need to keep it cleaned up . Not only for your Dad but yourself. Our Grey gets spritzed more than once per day along with a bath .There is an artical in the June 2008 Birdtalk magazine which is about Bird Keepers Lung Disease, which doesnt and won't affect everyone but it is a good read . Also you can log onto birdchannel.com/bird-allergies for more information . Our Grey CAG, has a lot of dander in spite of bathes and spritzing . His prior owner did not bathe him because she said he didnt like it , he now loves water and it is hard to keep him out of his water bowl ....LOL....We also use an air cleaner and change our filters in AC twice per month .Never hurts to be safe , better than sorry . Kind Regards , BettyBoop

Sweet boy , who cares about the feathers !!!Glad he is home and improving !!!!!He is a cutie pie! Mary

My bird (cag)Sammy is almost three years old , his previous owner said she never gave him a bath because he hated it .......OMG...He was like a snow bunny , every time he moved , it looked as though he was snowing . So we have been working on misting several times per day . Finally today he acted as though he liked it . Sometimes it just takes time to help them adjust to new things. Hopefully your new baby will love bath time.. BettyBoop(MARY)

You know it sounds like a great bird and I understand that fear , what if something is wrong , but my new bird CAG, I got him for 650.00 AND HE IS HEALTHY AS A HORSE ...But I was afraid at first .So as the others said , just get him .iT WILL BE ok. Bettyboop

Ask the man at the pet store what the policy is on purchased parrots from their store .Just talk to him as you are to the group , I bet he will work something out for you , if not then you may have to chance it if you want her badly.Good Luck, Bettyboop(MARY)

Carol , I am so glad he is home , I hope all continues to improve . Mary

Hello Spookyhurst, I think the diet you described sounds very healthy . My birds also would starve to death if I switched . They hate pellets, so I grind them up and put the mix in a birdie bread, which the cornbread mix is fat free and then I load it with veggies and fruit chopped up , thats all my Alexandrine wants. Bettyboop

Thank you Spookyhurst The wet pic does her no justice. Now that she has had her first real molt , her tail has beautiful blue feathers in it and her wing feathers are darker green .The light on the camera faded her out some . LOL...The beak is where her name came from , Zsa Zsa Gabor, it looks like she is wearing lipstick, so I gave her a girlie name. Nikko is beautiful also and you really captured a certain look in that pic, you really should frame it. Bettyboop(MARY)<br><br>Post edited by: bettyboop, at: 2008/05/10 13:10

Spookyhurst, I think the pic of Nikko is beautiful, the shadows in the background are grey and white , just like your Grey. It is very modern looking . Worth blowing up and framing.Looks very professional. Bettyboop

This is my Alexandrine Zsa Zsa splish , splashing away after her shower ,she does a better job than I do.

That is awesome , sorry I don't live in California. It would be bought and gone ,good luck . Try a bird shop on consignment . BettyBoop

Pat , Thank you for checking on the pellets for us . You have your hands full and we are adding to it by asking you to get info for us . My birds are so spoiled , I have no idea how I am going to switch their diet . Take care of Tobie hope she improves . I know she misses feeling well .This is so sad , hopefully she won' suffer and you will have much time with her ... Mary

Gosh if my bird can't get birdie bread , she will starve to death . All she wants is seeds. I hate to ask Pat, but could you find out why he said the bread is bad. Hopefully Tobie will get better, I'm still praying . Try to get some rest . Mary

So sorry , I was out all day .Someone else gave you the correct address for FOSTER AND Smith Mary

Oh I wish I lived close , I would come over and help you get things in order for the BIG DAY !!!!!!What a blessing ... I am so glad for you all... Mary

I am so very excited for you all , how wonderful !!!!!!! So glad everything is working out ..... Can't wait for you to see him , I know he will love that !!!!! Keep us posted . Mary (BETTYBOOP)