BaxtersMom

I bought a bottle of GreenWorks made by clorax that doesn't have any fumes to it. I've only used it a couple times on the counter and I've heard that it is safe too, but I am still nervous about that too and only used it twice I think.

You're right Penny. They aren't even good for us to take in and it is a Harsh chemical. Just curious though what other products are safe to use? other than the vinegar and water?

That's wonderful LindaMary! You should keep it up. Baxter didn't like it all but we forged ahead. I think it's very uncomfortable and scary at first but once they get over the fear, they should settle down. Atleast Baxter did. Maybe I am just super lucky with him, too. He still doesn't like putting it on and he still squirms and tries to waddle away when I put it on him but once it's on, he doesn't seem to care very much anymore. We took him for a walk last night with our dog around the block. It was his first time away from the back yard. His eyes were big again and I think a little nervous but he really did great overall. He was calm and didn't freak out. Just his eyes were big again:)

OMG!!! They are all adorable. You definately hit the jackpot with the breeder there. I am so glad for you that you have found a breeder that will keep you updated and understand how important communication is. With all she is doing to get them ready for their new homes they will so well adjusted. It is great she is getting them eating all different kinds of foods, too. I loved the videos. Makes me want a baby grey.

Greys do realise that the biting hurts. That is why they do it. That is their only means of defense. If you are doing something that they are not comfortable with or the trust has not been built up properly the only thing they can do to let you know they do like something is bite you. He is still new to you. It takes times, sometimes several weeks, sometimes months depending on both you and your grey.

Welcome Jake and Gus. My grey never ceases to amaze me either. They are such a joy to have. Gus does sound like a quick learner and quite the character. Can't wait to see his pic and hear more about him.

Yes it is a good topic and will probably be a controversal one as well:whistle: I've just read so many different opinions and wanted to get to the bottom of it. Even if everyone does not agree on it atleast it is being brought to all our attention and we will be to make more informed decisions. I want to be able to use bleach so bad but theres that little voice in my head saying "not safe, not safe" that I can't seem to shake:unsure:

Thanks LindaMary for putting that in there. I too have read that it is safe from what seemed credible sources as long as it was diluted but was too scared to use it. :ohmy: untill yesterday but then my fears set back in right away and posted this question. If you ask your vet, please let us know what s/he says. I don't know what garbage enzymes are either:huh:<br><br>Post edited by: BaxtersMom, at: 2009/03/27 15:27

That's why I had to ask one more time. I've through some posts and some say it is ok to use, others say definately not. I haven't used bleach to clean with since I got Baxter but seen others did so I thought I would clean the kitchen floor with it. As soon as I was finished I started worrying about it. The birds all seemed fine. It wasn't very strong but I'd rather be safe than sorry too and won't be using the bleach anymore. I'm glad I asked. Thanks everyone.

Ok, thanks Dave. I haven't used it on the cage but I did wash the floor with it today. I won't do it anymore because the are in the living room and that is next to the kitchen. I had the windows open but I'm sure they could still smell. That's what I wanted to know. Thanks again.

After getting Baxter I started mainly cleaning with vinegar and water but I do miss the bleach. Since then I have read several post about people using bleach on the cages to clean and disinfect and I've also heard others say as long as bleach is put into very warm water it is not harmful anymore. I just mopped my floor with bleach and hot water and now I am worried that I shouldn't have. Does anyone know if it's safe or not? I would love to be able to use bleach but won't if it's not safe. I just keep getting conflicting info on it.

Good for you taking in Topal and giving him a loving home. I read your home page and see you said he was a stinker and likes to bite. Mine did too when I first got him (he was 12 years old). I got bit alot where he would break the skin and draw blood even. After about a month that stopped with me although it is not unusual for a grey to bite occassionally. You said in his previous home, no one was there that felt they could handle him and greys can sense that. If someone is scared or leary of getting bit, a grey will most likely bite that person. My grey does not bite me anymore but he will bite my husband. It will take time for him to settle in, too but in time he should be fine. I hope he really enjoys his new home. It sounds like he has a good one with you.

When I first got Baxter, after he started coming out of his cage I dont think he wanted to go back in and he would bite me so he wouldn't have to. When he was on top of the cage he was way taller than I was and I read somewhere on here that you need to be higher up or atleast eye level. If they are above you they feel they are in control and for the most part I think they are. :laugh: Anyway, what I would do is get a chair or stool and step up on that to get him to step up on you. It seemed to work very well for me. That is what I would recommend. Let us know how it goes.

:laugh: Judy is a funny one, isn't she. She keeps us laughing all the time. When I first brought Baxter home I had no clue how much to feed him and I gave him way too much too. After a few trips to the bird store and finding out how costly it was I decided not to keep wasting it like I was and see just how much he ate. It sounds like you are doing very well with her diet. I feed mine frozen veggies too. Only other thing I would recommend now is getting her on some pellets. Vets recommend a pellet diet because they are suppose to have all the nutrients they need for a long healthy life. Baxter was 12 years old when I got him and he only came with a seed only diet too. I did not know that it did not meet his nutritional needs untill I joined this forum. Some owners even say not to feed the seeds at all but I do give mine some anyways. He loves them but there really isn't any nutrition to them. That's why pellets are recommended. You are in store for so much fun with a Ziva. I couldn't imagine not having mine.

Oh I am so happy for you. I bet you are a bundle of nerves now. Happy nerves that is. And Your baby is already spoiled with nice cage and toys and doesn't even know it yet. You are going to be a great parront. Congradulations. I can't wait untill your baby arrives. Good for you:)

Hello Supernova and Ben. I can see you have a great sense of humor by stating she bites the mother in law and that is fine by you:laugh: Welcome to the forum. This is a wonderful place to chat and ask questions about your grey if you ever have any. Ben is one nice looking grey. I think Ben is just fine for a female too. They will definately keep you amused with all the sound effects and words they mimick. I never get tired of hearing my flock make their noises...well most of the time I don't.

Hello Joann and Ziva. Welcome to the forum. Ziva is real lucky for you to have given her a loving home. Don't feel too guilty about leaving her in the cage while you are at work. We all have things to do and lots of us work full time jobs. As long as she gets out of the cage time in the afternoons or evenings it should be fine. I hear they need about 4 hours outside the cage time a day. She will settle in to her new routine. Caitb gave great advice about the toys. They do need toys to play with and keep them selves amused during the day so boredom doesn't strike. Also many people will leave the TV or a radio on. Some even put them on timers for them. Greys are wonderful birds and I'm sure you will fall in love quickly with her. We'd love to see some pictures of her and the rest of your flock when you get the chance.<br><br>Post edited by: BaxtersMom, at: 2009/03/26 21:55

Hi Joann, Judy has given you excellent advise. Just for an example though I give my Baxter about 2 big tablepoons of pellets in the morning and usually just a little bit of seed mix. By the time afternoon rolls around most of the seeds are usually gone and I give him some more. That is a good way to get started. If you see your grey needs more food then give her a little more at feeding times or less if it seems to be too much. Along with the pellet and seeds I also give my grey as much veggies as I can. I give him about 2 or 3 fresh green beans at a time. When I serve oatmeal I give a tablespoon or two and recently been mixing baby food in with it which seems to be a big hit. In time you will learn how much Ziva will eat and as Judy says they will not over eat. Please have a look through the bird food posts and you will get lots more information.

Thanks for the encouragement. I can't wait to take Baxter on errands and outings now. Figured we better get used to it at the house first but it won't be long untill he is going places with me. He traveled just fine in the car with me on our move so going in vehicles won't be any trouble for us. I have been so curious about harnesses since I got Baxter but I haven't found any posts that actually tell how it goes so I thought I would update the progress (or lack of) with Baxter so others might have something to compare it to. Plus, I get excited too and want to share it with everyone:woohoo:

Oh Murphy is just adorable! Do you have a cage and everything set up for him yet? I bet you are so excited. May 1st is not too far way but time seems to go slow when you are waiting on something. Congradulations!

They are all nice. Let us know how Shanti takes to it. I just got Baxter a aviator harness and am so glad I did. I love spending time with him outside the house.

I didn't get to take Baxter out in the harness yesterday because it was raining. I did take him out just a little while ago today though. This was his 5th time in the harness going out. It is getting much better for him:) (and me) He didn't cluck at all or make the funny noises when I put it on him. It's getting easier. Today he seemed much more relaxed outside too. He was more interested in walking around on the ground and checking out the grass, rocks and trees, bugs, etc. He barely even tried to chew on the harness at all. I felt comfortable enough today to put him on my shoulder and walk with him that way. He is doing so good. I think the hard part is over now. He is getting used to the harness and getting more comfortable wearing. I am so glad he is getting more interested in the outside world instead of chewing on the harness. I think after a few more times he will know what it's all about. He did fly off my finger a few times today and flew off my shoulder but he can't go too far yet with the short leash yet. One thing he did while he was perched on my finger was flap and flap and flap his wings. He never left my finger. I think he was just enjoying it. I didn't think Baxter would ever be a good flyer since he never really did it but I think different now. When he flies the short distance that he can with the harness it is straight up untill he gets to the end of it. He would be gone in seconds if he wasn't wearing the harness. I think progress is being made in really just a short time.

Hello Clive and welcome to the forum. Please tell us more about you and Enoush. This is a great place for grey owners to come and chat and ask questions. We would love to see a picture of your grey too when you get the chance.

I would be kind of concerned about the $450 down payment. A credit is better than nothing but I think they should return the money to you. If you can't get your money back and I'm sure you have already asked, I would use the credit up right away like Acappella said. It doesn't take long to spend $450 on parrots I have found out:laugh: I really think they should refund the deposit but I don't know if it written up in the contract that it is non refundable. If you paid with a credit card you might want to contact them and reverse the charges. They may refund it back to you since you didn't get anything for it. Just a thought. It might also take 90 to 120 days to get it back though, too. But $450 is a lot of money. I would use the credit up quickly if that is the route you will be taking. They don't sound like real good business people and might change their mind on you.

He is gorgeous. I hope it all works out for you and SZ. Don't expect too much on the first meeting. Greys are very cautious and don't worry if he doesn't seem too interested in you at first. If he does, that is great but if not, don't get discouraged. As for changing the name. I changed my greys name. Got him when he was 12 years old and I changed it to Baxter. He caught on very quick and knows his name. Several others have changed their greys names too. Good luck.