bettyboop

Pat , that cage is his security blanket .He will come out and off. Try placing something off the cage but where he can see it , that would interest him .Can he fly ? Or do you know ?It all takes time and trust . M

Oh , I forgot to tell you. On yours ,you may add , butter, brown sugar , a dash of cinnamon , and sprinkle with chopped pecans. YUMMY ..... So glad you tried it .Another good one , sounds like you like squash , buy a spaghetti squash , this is the larger yellow one , cook the same way , shred out the inside and put spaghetti sauce on top , it is wonderful. Glad the birds liked it , they do look cute with all that yellow squqash on their beaks . I love the in season foods at different times of the year . Do your guys like baked pears , and baked pumpkin , ? Karma to you for trying the squash ..... M<br><br>Post edited by: bettyboop, at: 2008/11/13 11:29

Pat , it amazes me that you have so much time to visit with your birds .I wish you lived close to me , I would want you to be my bird sitter.I bet my birds would love you . I think it's great that we all love them so much .They are a wonderful addition to our lives. How is Gizmo ? Is he getting more settled in ? Mary

You could try a larger treat , just for protection .LOL...

There is a little trick to help him step up without biting you . You hold the treat up , out of reach and get his attention on the treat , then while he is focusing on it , slowly slide your hand under his feet and the treat into his beak . It may take several times.Also you can put some treats in his carry cage and maybe he would go in for them .My CAG will do anything for a Cheetos , he used to go after me when I would work in his cage , so I would get him to the highest perch give him the cheetos and he would leave me alone.Those days are over , now he will step up and come out without attacking me .It just takes time .

This is a great toy , my birds love it , however it is very important to get the tie very tight .I failed the first time and it was all over the bottom of the cage after about 5 min.s ha ha .I ususlly wrap through different sections to reinforce . Great suggestion . M

Well I bet they loved Grandmothers leftovers . My guys have been eating cooked , mashed Acorn squash .They get it all over their beaks and look so funny .Zooman you can fix this , it is easy .You buy an Acorn squash , wash it , cut it in half , place it in a baking dish with a little water cut side down and bake according to directions which should be on the squash when you buy it . It's like 350 for thirty mins. Oh and remove the seeds and stringy stuff before baking. Then you scoop it out , and I put a tiny bit of salt on it and they loved it . Thank you for the well wishes for my Mom , she is getting stronger .<br><br>Post edited by: bettyboop, at: 2008/11/12 01:09

My Breeder suggested Mary Carpino in Temple Texas , she raises Greys and is an Avian Certified Vet. Her # is 254-899-8800. I think she said she met her at a Grey Seminar in Houston last year and said she is very pleasant .I think this is closer than going out of state.Good luck , Mary

I know exactly where that is , we go to Tyler State park in the spring to lounge in our RV , usually every year .I love it . We have also stayed at a bed and breakfast place called Bailey's Bunkhouse .Have you ever heard of it ? Wow we are both Texas gals . I will talk to my breeder about an avian vet down that way and get back with you . Mary

Good for you , yes it hurts but now whats he going to do .If biting doesnt work , he will not have his way .I am so proud of you .Congrats , just keep working with him , don't let up , in a month oR less you will have him completly won over . M

Well , I hope she continues to improve .Physical Therapy is helping a lot. It is going to be a while before she is back to her normal self . I feel bad complaining , but geeze my work schedule, home schedule ,bird schedule , everything is being put on the back burner. I am also having about 18 guest for Thanksgiving , so the house must be cleaned . That is neat about your bird remembering to speak in a childs voice .They are amazing ...Sammy loves children , but Zsa Zsa doesnt seem to care for the three year old , he scared her one time and she stays all anxious when he is around .

Just be patient , it might take a long time

My life has been a Circus lately with my Mom being ill . This weekend , I called and checked on her but I just told her I needed to be home and clean my house . She is getting better , so it was OK, I will be there tomorrow , but my birds were out all weekend and they loved it .

I noticed you are in Texas , exactly where is the city you live in ? I am in Fort Worth and there are several in my area that are certified avian vets . Out of State shouldnt be necessary .

maybe the lowering of the head is I want this so I am going to be real good so I can have it type attitude ...Remember bitting is learned behavior , if you react "ouch " or pull away , he loves it . They love drama .Our new CAG , Sammy bites me , never my Husband , this guy goes after my face everytime he is on me .Now he isnt allowed above my waist , so when I step him up , my arm goes down . The last time he bit my hand , I was putting toys in his cage , he grabbed my finger , I just stood there , he was applying pressure and I just looked at him and didnt move , when he released he said ouch !!!!!I just walked away and he has not gone after me again , so if he does get you , don't react , if thats possiable. How old is he? How long have you had him ? Perhaps your Husband is correct , he will get over it , but if he has been passed over and over , something could be wrong , he could be a bitter . I wouldnt rush things if he hasnt been with you very long .It took 7 months for our first Grey to stop bitting my Husband ......Just slow down and continue talking and visiting with him and offer treats , hopefully he will stop this .I think they bite , because this is their way of saying leave me alone , or no I don't want to do whatever you want me to do .Our CAG, is 3 and we have had him 8 months .He is very happy sitting on his playstand and playing , he loves my Husband , so the minute he come home Sammy is all over him , but during the day , maybe once a day , he will allow me to step him up for a few min.s and then he starts getting all arrogant , so back he goes.

I use the small butter tubs , make a slit in the bottom . Then run a long piece of plastic chain through three butter tubs ,space them on the chain, then hang in the cage ,they climb up and down the chain getting little treats and toys out of each tub . They also like the lids to the butter tubs , to chew up...

could yo explain this a little more .Does he look down ? Or lower his head as though he is ducking , are you holding it over his head ? They don't like things over their heads .I 'm not sure I understand what he is doing .If you are afraid of him bitting you , he will .They can sense things .The best way to approach him is lower your energy before going to him , take some deep breaths and calm down . If he feels your being tense , he will become tense , just talk very sweetly and softly and move very slow .Perhaps you shouldnt try to step him up or put yourself in the position of him bitting until you feel safe .I remember when our first Grey came home , I would just sit by his cage with the door open and read story books to him , I didnt try to coax him out , I just left him alone .He finally came out crawled over and sat on my shoulder while I read. We became very close after that. He never lunged or tried to bite me again .

I usually encourage my birds to play with the things I am using .I have a big box that I keep my supplies in , the minute they see it on the bar area , they are on the spot , they will even climb in and get stuff out .It's like Christmas morning , I love it .You might try doing it when they are asleep , if you prefer

How sad to think someone could or would only allow them one hour a week .That is abuse , parrots are very social , and if someone doesnt know what that means , it means they like to be with you . I can't believe anyone would own a bird and not want to spend time with it .I love my birds and look forward to them being out of their cage and being with us . On days that I have been super busy with my Mom , they have this funny look on their little faces , so I have to stop and let them out to play and fly and hang out , they change instantly . They are so cute .....And so loving .... Avairy birds would naturally be independent and aloof , nippy and not tame , they have been purchased just to look at . So sad.

I have never checked, Pat , do you know how far back IRN's are recorded as being companion parrots .Who was the first person recorded as having one? That would be interesting to know about .I think it's sad they have such a bad rap . however I do like having an unusual bird ,Don't you ? Z is most noisy in the early AM also . M

As you know , just until recently they were Avairy birds , because of their looks ....So people have only started purchasing them as companions within probably the past , maybe 5 years .People really do not know a thing about these birds .There are no books written about them , and if you tell someone you have one , they don't know what it is .....Alexander the Great is where they get their name from . so they have been around for a long time. Zsa Zsa picked me out , I was picking out a baby TAG, at our breeder site , she would not leave me alone .She flew over to me everytime we went to visit and would get on my shoulder and play with me . The breeder finally said , "that is your bird " , and my Husband said we arent taking two home at the same time , so I chose her . He agreed about her picking me .I am totally convinced , she is my bird and this was meant to be . I would like to have another Alex if I knew she would accept it , probably not ....<br><br>Post edited by: bettyboop, at: 2008/11/09 15:29

Boy , I have heard the same .Z is not loud at all and she doesnt like petting , but she sure likes to be on me or in the same room 24/7 .So I think some of the things they say about them are proven incorrect .I adore her , she is my favorite out of the three birds I have owned , which isnt many , but that's all I have to compare her with . M

Hey Zooman , just curious , why did the people at the store not like your Alex ? That is too funny about the kissing , part French ???

I am so happy for you , that he is so gentle .Zsa Zsa will let me rub on her with my hair, like when she is on my shoulder I lean over and rub her with my head , and she will rub her beak against my cheek , but thats it . She talks when I am ignoring her , only to get my attention , but the minute I respond thats it ...She has never been a sweet , touchy , petty bird .I think her being a female has her being more aloof and independent . She is on my shoulder all the time and wants to be where I am . She goes nuts when my husband loves me , kisses or hugs , boy she pins those eyes and goes after him .He loves it .He just laughs and goes and gets Sammy .Sammy will lay on his back in my Husbands lap and allow him to pet his tummy for hours , when I try it , he bites me . So ,I guess our birds belong to us and us alone ..... We love them and it is so awesome to have them in our homes , and isnt it amazing , we have wild birds living with us , eating with us , showering with us .ETC......They know the schedule too, when they hear my car keys , Sammy says Bye Bye and Zsa Zsa starts squawking LOUD .... I hope your little guy stays sweet and calm for you , I wish I had purchased a pair .

Pat , I bet he about knocked you over , ha ha .How is he doing , anymore words yet ? How old is he now ? I bet he is really growing , they eat like little pigs. Thanks for sharing about the garlic breath . Mary