Envie

Yes you're right, California is quite a ways away. I don't think I agree with shipping birds (though a lot of breeders do and the birds seem to do ok it seems) and would much rather drive to pick up my baby even if its a long drive or overnight. I've still got a long time to find just the right breeder and have slowed down searching. Now I'm just reading and educating myself on the breed and waiting!

Wow you guys are great. I'm so glad I found this forum community. Thanks for the book suggestions, I will probably order a couple of the titles you suggested in the coming weeks. I definitely have a lot of studying to do. Just reading the various topics in this forum make me realize I have no idea a lot of the parrot particulars - like today I have read the food forum and am overwhelmed at all the information... what's good to feed, what's not, dangerous fumes and chemicals - eek! My man is proud of me for planning ahead as I have in the past been impulsive about some of the things I wanted. He knows I've wanted a Grey for a long time and is glad I'm not jumping in too fast even though he's already approved the cost of this baby - its still a big leap. Right now I'm going to focus on learning all the 'basics' of greys from you folks, read your stories and experiences, and keep looking for breeders. I think I'm going to wait a few months before settling on one, providing I actually find one with babies available... its starting to be apparent that Greys aren't as easy to find as other breeds - but that's not bad news, just makes this a more challenging long term project. :)

You're right - it needs to feel right. I think I'm going to wait and keep researching more breeders. I'm saving breeders site links and reviewing them and have emailed a few with questions. Sometimes I get so excited about finally deciding to go through with getting one that I get impatient. Pregnancy is 9 long agonizing months and I have a feeling waiting for a baby grey will be a looong wait but without the body aches and pains, lol! Thanks again, I'm taking everyone's advice to heart.

Hi RobertsKitty, you're like me in that you're educating yourself for a future grey. I had a conure many years back, but had to get rid of him when we were moved overseas for military duty. IF I still had him, I'd be worried too about introducing a Grey when I have read they sometimes don't adapt well to other birds. I do have something to show you - after looking at your great home-made "tree" for your little Griffin, I went and looked for an image of the kind of tree I have for my future parrot. I'd take a real photo but its dismantled in storage right now until I actually get a grey. This is an amazon size "Java Tree" on rolling stand: Mine is GREAT and its the perfect size for a grey, amazon or cockatoo. After seeing how expensive they are brand new, I'm so lucky to have found one only slightly used at a local sale - maybe you could find one too! You can also search for just the java tree or branches and perhaps make your own base to save on cost! Hope this helps with the tree thing, wow your little guy is sure spoiled that's a LOT of toys LOL!

Yes, I'm agreeing with all of you but wondering just how picky I really should be in choosing my breeder. I can find several breeders who have larger numbers of birds (thus more available clutches per year) including one who just took a baby from the nest at two weeks recently and will be avail. some time in October. They want me to make a deposit. BUT - they care for a lot of baby birds of all breeds and have large facilities so I'm wondering how they can possibly find socializing time for the babies with so many to feed and care for everyday. I also got kindof stuck on the idea that having the baby around kids would be ideal... but make finding the perfect breeder more difficult. This breeder is good, I'm not saying they have glaring issues. They bring the babies in the house, and lots of people help feed them, and they are exposed to the everyday house sounds, vaccum, tv etc as well as dogs, but no kids. They are abundance weaning too so that's great. Even sent me a photo, but my guy says I should wait for the breeder I really want. That could be a year down the road! I guess I just want to be sure I've chosen the right breeder when I make the big plunge and worried that choosing wrong will somehow affect the outcome of the baby's personality. And yes, I agree having plenty of time to get yourself and family ready (cage, toys, etc are also as expensive as the bird itself!) is a good thing. I already have a 'sleeping cage' and will be getting a larger one, and I have a 4ft tall 'java tree' on a wooden stand that I got as a great deal at a sale. It's big enough to hold several large parrots with plenty of playspace, feeder cups and rings for hanging toys. I'm preparing!

I don't know if Andrew comes to this forum anymore - I know I probably wouldn't be able to stand it if that happened to me. I just want him to know that another voice is added to the many who have expressed sadness for his loss of beloved Tui. Like many others, I discovered Tui and Andrew on Youtube several months ago while doing some internet research about Greys and teaching them to talk and interact with you like a friend instead of just a pet. I was mesmerized by the relationship between Andrew and his bird and laughed with their shared antics (particularly Tui 'throwing a tantrum' and swearing hah! I was horrified to learn months later that Tui had accidentally flown away and yes I did watch Andrew's heartfelt filming on youtube after she was gone. I cried and shared with my man because he had particularly liked Tui and Andrew with the funny NZ accent. Do you really think Tui was taken in by someone else who had either refused to bring her back or doesn't even know she's being missed? It has to be obvious to anyone who finds her that she's very loved and speaks clearly with that unmistakeable accent. I guess its better to hope this is the case, that she's with someone else who is treating her well and not passed away from some unfortunate accident while lost. I know I'd be constantly worried about her well-being. It's got to be just like losing a human child honestly. If anyone has information or update on this story, please let me know... I don't know if Andrew went back to New Zealand but I wish him peace and comfort wherever he goes and hope with all my heart he and Tui will be reunited someday. ~

Hi, I have met some of you in the welcome forum and am starting to compile a list of questions for all of you that are veteran grey parrot companions (I know, don't say owner, they actually own you, haha). I have a question about choosing a breeder. Exactly how picky should I be? I know that I want a breeder who raises their babies in the house with the family and gives them individual attention and playtime to acclimate them to being held and loved as well as utilizes abundance weaning for a healthy start. Those are my bare minimums so far, but what else should be my requirements? I really really like Pampered Peeps aviary. http://www.pamperedpeeps.com/ I've spoke with the breeder, Beth, via email and she unfortunately may not have any grey babies available for a long time since she only has one now which is sold and two other folks already waiting for her next clutch. The reason I like her breeding style is she has three daughters who all participate in socializing and feeding her babies. Because I have a lot of children, I really feel this is an important aspect to consider so that my new baby grey is quite used to noise and children. Pampered peeps also flight-suit/harness trains her babies, which is definitely a bonus since I want to be able to take my parrot out walking with me and would much rather a more experienced breeder introduce that tricky training function if possible. But back to my question: Exactly how critical is a breeder's methods to the outcome of your baby grey? If I were to buy a baby from a breeder who has many more baby birds at once, or doesn't have any children, or keeps the babies in an aviary instead of the house - how much is this going to affect the baby's personality or ability to adapt to my house and family once I bring it home? I'm wondering if like children who are adopted, the baby can re-adjust in time to its new environment and bond with another person easily regardless of how it was hatched/weaned/raised. Thoughts or advice much appreciated. -envie

Hi M2MM - thanks for the link to your recommended reading... its a bit overwhelming for the parrot 'newbie' who doesn't even have one yet! Can you recommend which book or couple of books I should start with? Keep in mind that while I'm familiar with the African Grey (and the Timneh) from my internet research, I've never owned one or handled one extensively yet and so I would like to read whatever book is for the beginner parrot owner. like: what to expect from your baby parrot as it develops from the weaning stage into adulthood, and what are the particular unique habits of the African Grey which require special attention over other parrots. Training guides are good too, but since I don't actually own a grey yet, and it may be a long wait for one since I'm being very particular in my breeder choices, I need reading that will prepare me for owning one and what things I need to know in choosing one as well as raising a baby moreso than training one - those books I'll get later when I actually get close to ready to get my bird. Thanks! -envie

Wow thanks for the fast and warm welcome. I am definitely preparing ahead. Having so many children, you realize that no matter how 'prepared' you are, you are never really ready - but as time goes on you get more experienced and its not so intimidating. That's why I'm doing my homework to learn all I can about greys first, before going through with the investment. As I've read from many of you on this forum - An African grey isn't like going to the petshop and picking out something cute and fuzzy - I feel its a very big investment of your time and the rest of your life since they live such long lives. The actual cost of the bird and cage, etc. is nothing in comparison to the commitment you have to make. I realized this very quickly after watching many videos of greys with their owners and seeing a few up close. They are so intelligent and sensitive. I want my future grey to have the best start possible and that definitely means finding a good breeder. Oh and its awesome you referred Pampered peeps dblhelix, because they are actually my primary breeder of interest right now. I wrote Beth, the owner and her daughters (who are beautiful and her oldest Lisa does their website) a few weeks back inquiring about babies. She sent me a really encouraging and nice letter back - She only has one baby right now and its already sold. She also has two more folks who have given deposits for future babies... and since she has only one pair at this time, it could be a long time before she has more babies. Honestly, as wonderful as her breeding and family style seems, I may end up waiting until she has more in the future! I'm hoping perhaps I can find a breeder with similar style and careful breeding/raising standards as Pampered Peeps. Again, thanks for the nice welcome. I will spend some time here in your 'family' getting to know the birds you all love and gleaning bits of knowledge for my future parrot-hood...

Hi. Hoping to learn a lot from this great site and forums. I am also beginning to research and interview potential breeders in the next six months to a year for a baby grey. Here's my introduction which I also put in my profile info. I live in Memphis TN - my guy and I have 5 children between the ages of 5 and 14 and have a large old stone house in the heart of the Memphis historical district. We love kids and pets and have a lot of room for fun and hopefully a feathered baby eventually. I am a stay-at-home Mom and have time for a baby grey should we find a good breeder in the next year. I had a cherry head conure many many years ago who had to go live with a veterinary associate of mine who also raised birds when my husband and I were sent overseas to Japan. I always wanted to get a larger parrot in the future and believe the time may be approaching to add one to our human flock. Please help me find a reputable breeder who hand raises and believes in abundance weaning as well as keeping the babies near the family home and does not breed too many birds at once so the babies have a lot of attention. Would prefer if children and other animals were introduced or raised around the baby grey so its accustomed to many things. Thanks!