Matthew

Actually there are three forms of vitamin D; D2, D3 and D4. D2 is the vegetable based form and in humans only about 50% is used by the body (1000mg only gives you 500mg). D3 is usually sourced from fish or wool (lanolin). It's believed to be better utilized in humans than D2. D4 is the form your body makes when exposed to the sun. It's also believed that the body converts D2 and D3 into D4 before it can use it. From what I've read, greys native diet doesn't contain any foods which contain vitamin D in any form. It's believed they get it all from the sun. Because of this, they may not have the proper enzymes and such to convert D2 or D3 to the usable form D4. There's also some concern that supplemental vitamin D could build up in the fat to toxic levels over time. Does anyone here use full spectrum lights on their birds? Do they seem to like them and sit under it? They would have to sit pretty close to a florescent light to get anything from it. Have you noticed any major change in their feathers? (edited for a spelling error)<br><br>Post edited by: Matthew, at: 2008/09/22 00:38

I'll admit I should be better about Tucker's diet. His base is Pretty Bird African Special pellets. That's what the breeder used. I also try to give him Bean Cuisine for hookbills mixed with red palm oil and mixed organic fruits and vegetables every night. Lately I've had a lot going on, so I don't manage to make him a full meal every night. It's also pretty hit or miss as to weather he'll eat it. Some days he dives right in and others won't touch it. I really do need to be more regular about his nightly meals, but I've just been so busy. The red palm oil should be giving him enough vit. A. I'm starting to wonder if he's deficient in vitamin D. His pellets have D3 in them, but I've read that birds can't use D3. Does everyone have lights on their birds? I've always worried he'd chew the wire. He loves hanging out on top of his cage. Also, does anyone use any of those bath sprays on their greys? I've heard you shouldn't use ones with oils in them on greys because they use powder to groom not oil. I also wonder what chlorine does to their feathers. Our water is really bad here.

Tucker, my 2 year old CAG keeps breaking his flight feathers. It mostly happens from sheer clumsiness and playing too rough in his cage. He is also constantly breaking his tail feathers during his not so graceful landings. I know it's fairly common for young greys to break feathers, but it makes an already clumsy bird much more so. I've also noticed his broken flight feathers seem fairly dry and brittle. I try to give him regular baths, but he keeps his wings firmly at his sides and the water never seems to get to all the feathers in his wings. I've also been supplementing his diet with organic red palm oil, which has made the rest of his feathers look really healthy, but he's still breaking his flight feathers. Does anyone have any advice on helping a grey grow stronger feathers? He's finally grown new feathers, and has already broken two off.

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. I'll try to get to posting about the issues we've been going through later today. It's nothing major, just some questions I have about first molts, nutrition and keeping the trust alive. I wouldn't say I've had any major troubles with Tucker. More than anything I need some support from other bird people. All my friends think I'm crazy and just don't understand why I'd want to live with such an animal. I also realized I didn't mention my non-bird companions. I live with a 2 year old chihuahua(Saffy) and keep a 55 gallon freshwater tank.

Well, I guess it's about time I introduce myself. I've been reading this forum off and on for a few years now, but never posted. I live with a 4 year old cockatiel and a 2 year old CAG. I had cockatiels and parakeets growing up, and had some experience handling larger birds. I got Burnie(cockatiel) from a pet store when she was fairly young. I went there to get some supplies for my fish tank, and ended up coming back a couple days later to get her. She hadn't been cared for very well, and was allowed to be tormented by several cats and children during her stay there. She was afraid of everything, didn't trust anyone and absolutely loved to scream. It took a few years to win her over and get the screaming under control, but all is well now. She still doesn't like to be handled too much, but always wants to be near by. I had wanted a CAG since I was a little kid, but decided I wasn't ready for that kind of responsibility. Now that I'm a bit older and more settled in my life, I decided it was time. I searched for breeders in my area and got Tucker(CAG) around a year and a half ago. We've been going through some rough times recently, which I'll be posting about later, but all in all I love having him around. So, that's my story.