BaxtersMom

That is such good news:) Cracker gave us all quite a scare and I'm glad he's back to his normal self and driving you mad again. That's the way it should be. Whew, that was a close one.<br><br>Post edited by: BaxtersMom, at: 2009/04/03 00:47

I am so sorry for your loss. I know how you are feeling as I lost one of my beloved pets just a couple months ago. You will always have your memories tho and they will be blessing to you later on. I will keep you in my thoughts.

{Love-00020116}{Characters-000200D2} Congradulations!!! (x2)

Don't throw them away. You should do like Judy said...Let Ziva play with them on a play stand or when you are near by. They might even be considered a special treat to Ziva since she can only play with them on certain occassions. I have several rope toys and didn't know about the dangers at first either. They still have some and play with them, too but I don't let them play with them unless they I am nearby. If they have not been used, perhaps you can let the store you know about your concerns and see if they will exchange them for other toys. I don't see why they wouldn't if you just said you don't feel comfortable using them. It's worth a try anyway.

Don't throw them away. You should do like Judy said...Let Ziva play with them on a play stand or when you are near by. They might even be considered a special treat to Ziva since she can only play with them on certain occassions. I have several rope toys and didn't know about the dangers at first either. They still have some and play with them, too but I don't let them play with them unless they I am nearby. If they have not been used, perhaps you can let the store you know about your concerns and see if they will exchange them for other toys. I don't see why they wouldn't if you just said you don't feel comfortable using them. It's worth a try anyway.

Ekco is an excellent name and I like the spelling too. Welcome to our wonderful family, Ekco!!!!! {Love-000200BF}

I thought about boarding my birds when I had to go away for a few days but the 2 places I checked just had them in "not so big" cages and didn't put any of their toys in with them:ohmy: . They didn't let them out either. I would have liked to board them but still didn't like the fact they would be in small cages with no toys and no out of cage time:( . I took my birds with me instead. They stayed in the motel with me:) . I had nice sized travel cages and let them out in the motels. They had no problems what so ever. Baxter was great on the trip and quiet in motels.

What I do to some of my perches for my eclectus (he has a light grip and fell a couple times in the past) is to take a big file or even a big knife and cut grooves (and cris cross them) in the wood to rough it up so he can grab hold of it a bit better. I haven't had any problem with my ekkie slipping or falling since I started doing that.

Dan is right with saying the most of the deaths are from new owners and a death occured because they just were not aware of something that they can not handle. Certain foods, cleaning products, candles, any thing that makes your house smell fresh and good, bug sprays, teflon, smoke, cages that are made of metal with out powder coating, just to name a few. There is a lot to learn in the beginning but just keep reading and get yourself informed some more. It was overwhelming to me at first but nothing to panick over if you read up on things or ask here on the forum. Sounds like you are doing real good getting prepared.

You are so right about the conure Dan. Mine has the heart of a lion, too. He gets along with my grey but the our Amazon he hates he can't stand and will dive bomb him and flog him with his wings. He fights with all his might and we have to separate them asap. My conure is the smallest we have and our amazon is the biggest but he beats him up everytime he gets the chance. {Feel-bad-00020080}<br><br>Post edited by: BaxtersMom, at: 2009/03/31 21:22

She is still getting settled in and still has no clue what has happened or where her previous owner is. She is nervous and most likely scared and that is why she is biting you. Take it slow. Let her get used to her new surroundings without you putting your hands all over in her space. If she did not bite her previous owner she most likely will stop. Her only defense is her beak and biting and since you are a stranger to her that is the only way she can tell you to stay away. Take it slow, at her pace. Talk to her, sing to her, read books to her, do things in front of her so she can listed and watch you but let her get more relaxed first. If you don't you keep getting bit. If you go slower much less likely of getting bit. Hope it helps. I rehomed a 12 year old grey and I got bit quite a bit too in the first few weeks too. I was going much to fast for him. When it took it more slowly that's when the progress start happening. I am not sure if you have been to the welcome room or not but if you haven't please go there and tell us a little more about yourself and your new grey. We would love to hear the story and see some pictures when you get the chance.

Every time I get a new addition to my flock I say I am at my limit but another seems to find it's way into my home. :pinch:

Not gonna happen but a good thought anyway:laugh:

When I first seen the photo "Cecilia" first came to mind. If it is a boy, how about "Cecil"?

I've heard good things about Barbara Heindrich but be careful about buying the training dvd's. Most people don't have much luck with them from what I've heard so I've never purchased any.

After you get your first bird and then you get another. The second bird will need to be quarantined about 4-6 weeks away from the first bird to ensure they can not transmit any diseases. They will know there is another bird in the house so by the time they meet close up they may already be a little familar with one another. Some birds will get along with eachother and some birds won't. I have some that are buddies and then I have one that tries to attack another one. You never know if they will get along or fight.

I think parrots in general are wasteful with their food but I wouldn't sift out the leftovers and put them back, mainly becaue of bacteria issues. After greys eat and drink and wipe their beaks and mix it with other foods, bacteria can build up on it so I wouldn't reuse it. You can try cutting back on the amount of pellets which is what I had to do. I used to waste alot but cut back and now they sometimes even eat all the pellets and then I will give them some more. I do have quite a bit of wasted food still, along with the pieces and the dust and what I do is dump it in a bowl and toss it out to the outside birds. I have 4 parrots so it does accumilate through out the day and I get to watch the outside birds enjoy it too so it's not wasted at all.<br><br>Post edited by: BaxtersMom, at: 2009/03/31 20:52

Oh yea, and when are you going to go pick it up;)

Somehow I don't think we find our birds...I think they find us. If a lovely grey has crossed your path and needs a home I think you should seriously consider it. I know you only have two shoulders but your head will make a nice perch, too. Atleast my birds think so :laugh: I have 4 (only one grey) and feel that is my limit at the moment. When I had 3 it didn't seem like any extra work or effort. I would go for it. I know what you mean when you say "Can't let it go to just anyone" It sounds like you have a connection to it too. Have you met the grey yet?

As all my birds would say "YAY!" I am so glad to hear that Cracker is feeling a bit better today. Thanks for giving us an update on him. {Feel-good-00020114}<br><br>Post edited by: BaxtersMom, at: 2009/03/31 03:45

Hello and welcome to the forum. If you've been checking in for 3 months I've got to ask~What took you so long to join:woohoo: :whistle: This is an excellent forum and you are right it is addictive. I too have several parrots (4) only one of them is a grey. I'm sure you've already seen it but we also have a room just for the "other" birds in our lives. We would love to hear more about you and your flock and can't wait to see some pictures when you get the time.

I remember one guy said his apartment got sprayed but can't remember why but his grey died because of it. I would remove your grey from the apartment for awhile. You may not be able to smell it but it might harm your bird. Ask your vet how long to keep your grey away. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Another favorite at our house is peanut butter toast.

Alcohol is considered toxic to greys even in small amounts and death can occur. I would not use it at all. It sounds like you have tried everything to get him to eat the yogurt and it won't work. Perhaps you can try a fruited yogurt instead of plain? Or also just keep trying, sometimes it may take weeks for them to accept a new food but he may never accept it either. What about the Imitation Vanilla Extract? I know that does not have alcohol in it, but it might not have the ingredients that would be useful in your situation either. I would definately not give anything with alcohol, even in the smallest amounts it could kill him and I wouldn't take the chance. Perhaps you can call your vet and ask him/her if there is another alternative to the yogurt, too. Good luck.

That wasn't long, you should see some of my posts:laugh: And it certainly was not boring. Darwin sounds like he is a true joy and willing to try all sorts of new things. You are in for a lifetime of happiness! And yes, please...we need pictures.:silly:<br><br>Post edited by: BaxtersMom, at: 2009/03/30 01:59