BaxtersMom

Oh my, it's seems like you have had quite a scare. You did the right thing by calling your vet right away and I would trust what he said to be true. Since you are so worried I would still monitor him for the next few days and see if anything changes. I am guessing it was the cherries that turned his poop black. There are certain foods that will turn it different colors so as long as you can pin point it to something I think you will be ok. The cherries in this instance. The cherries shouldn't hurt your grey but the pit will. Always removed the pit before giving your grey the cherry. Apple seeds can be deadly too. (Be careful of the seeds and pits in fruits) Please check out some of the other threads here in the bird food room and it will help out, too. Raw potatoes are not good for greys. I've heard that, read that but I can't tell you why but I don't feed mine raw potatoes. Cooked is just fine though. My grey does not like fruit very much either and is very picky on veggies but he will eat some of them. Cheese is a dairy product and greys can not digest lactose. A very small amount should be ok but don't over do it. I read somewhere about 1 inch cube per week is about as much as they should have. There are a couple of threads here in the bird food room about healthy treats and another one about what we all feed our greys. There are some foods that our greys shouldn't eat so please read through the threads and if it's something you are not sure of, I wouldn't feed it. Good luck! And Karma to you for calling your vet so fast.

Congradulations Roger on making a successful switch!! I myself have never tried Harrisons but I'm sure there will come a day when I do. I hope I have the success that you did. I have been on this kick where I am feeding them more nuts. That is one thing they all agree is good.:laugh: Great pic on Congo too!

Well, there are signs of improvement on Bonkers behalf. Could it be all this craziness is coming to an end???:side: We tested the waters a couple time and let Bonkers out in the house to see how he would react to me and our little dog all being together in the same room (like we used to be) He didn't attack me or the dog which he would have done in just a few seconds a couple weeks ago. He still is not back to his old self yet but we might be on the right track. The second time we let him out he even stepped up for me. I gave him a couple sweet words and put him back down. I didn't want to push it but I think that was a major accomplishment. I didn't even get a dirty look from him this time. We still need more time but it's getting better. He is still very cage aggressive with me and most of the time he wants to attack me through the bars if I am offering him food but in the last week he has allowed me to pet the top of his head through the bars too. It was funny how the other birds reacted to him when he was out. Before he would just fly to their cages and no one minded him at all. It was normal. The other day when he landed on both Baxter and Coopers cage, both of them seen him and headed right for him trying to get him off. It's like he is an outcast to them at the moment, too. I just hope things continue to get better. This has been quite an experience for me. :woohoo:

OMG. What a close call. Thank goodness it turned out ok. We had a scare like that a few months ago with our Amazon. It is so scary. It really makes you think after a scare like that. So glad it ended well.

I think the domed top cages look alot better and some are made where the tops open up and a perch can be placed there. I myself prefer the flat top cages with the playstand on top. I have had both kinds and found that with the round top cages a couple of my flock members didn't really like to go up on it since it was rounded and it was a hassle to take the perch off when ever I wanted to close the top. I have all flat top cages now with playstands and that's where they seem to spend most of their time top my preference is the ones with the playtops. I think the main thing is too make sure the cage is nice and large so they have plenty of room. I can't wait to hear what kind of cage you end up getting. Please let us know "once hubby approves":whistle:

Hi, I have never hand fed a baby grey and not familar with the product so I can't answer your question. Perhaps you might have better luck if you ask this question in the "nursery" forum. They have more experience with hand feeding there.

I have found it at Walmart and a the local drugstores like CVS, Walgreens. I didn't know where to find it either so I just asked someone that worked there. Some people mix it with a little bit of water and others use it without deleting it. Its up to you. When I have a full gallon of it, I give it full strength. When I am running low I dilute it with water:whistle:<br><br>Post edited by: BaxtersMom, at: 2009/07/19 21:12

I haven't heard of it so I can't tell you much. I am just wondering if it is originally made for canaries if it would have the kind of nutrients a grey needs? I know they have different diet needs. Hmmm. Hopefully someone else will know more about it.

Thanks for sharing those photos. It is clear that it made a world of differnce in the beak and the feathers.

I do take extra care when offering my birds fruit. I have given them kiwi without removing the seeds but there are several that are dangerous and could be deadly to a grey. Apple, cherry and a few others. There is a thread here in the bird food room at the top of the page about 10 common foods that can poisen your grey. You should give it a read. It's got some good info in it and talks a little bit about seeds. There are many other threads in the bird food room worth reading, too:) If you do not know for sure, I would not take the risk and feed it. It is best to ask your avain vet if you aren't sure. I think I'm going to go have some cherries now. You guys have made me hungry talking about them:laugh:

The cherries are ok, but the pits are not. Make sure you remove the pit before giving it to your grey. I agree with Judy, those bing cherris are pretty good. I've got some right now myself but my fids don't care for them too much.

Just found out one of our members Raposa (above) lives very close by and was right when they said it's cooking here in the Lone Star State. I think the weatherman said this is our 8th straight day of temps over 100 degrees:blink: Hmmm... I wonder if I can cook an egg on the sidewalk????B)

Thanks Azzie, you have given me hope once again. I had in my head it is going to take atleast another month (maybe more) but I still get those thoughts that say "What If?" I know he has chosen my husband for his "mate" or favorite person. He has always been in love with my husband. It was love at first sight for Bonkers:laugh: My husband wasn't as thrilled as Bonkers was but he had no choice in the matter. He has always been friendly with me and never bit me before this but I always knew I was second best in his eyes but he had no problems sitting or riding on my shoulder and even come takes afternoon naps with me on the couch. Hopefully, we will be able to do that again. Perhaps I will leave him alone more. I really don't do much with him these days except offer him treats every now and then. His cage is in the computer room so I am in here several hours a day...probably really irrating him too but it can't be helped. I am not scared of him and his aggression. Even though I say he scares me, etc, I never show it and never will. I know how they can react when they see fear in someone. I will hang in there and try and be strong. I will give updates on him, too and probably vent again when I'm at my wits ends. :laugh: Thanks for listening.

Ok, heres an update on Bonkers. He has been hormonal since the middle of last month...so it's been a good month now. I was hoping for some improvement but it's no where in sight. I will not even give him food and water anymore. Had to make hubby do that chore now because he will attack my hand when I go to get his bowl out. I have been trying to give him treats through the bars so he knows' "I'm a friend" and he will act like he wants to take them and be friendly back but then sucker punches me. For example, Today I gave him a slice of kiwi. He gently grabbed the tip I had stuck in and acted like he was going to be sweet but then lashed out to bite me. It was a planned attack. My husband lets him out in the room still for excercise for several hours a day and I won't go in because I'm afraid he will get me. My husband still has no problems and he acts like his sweet normal self with my husband UNLESS I am in the room with him. He was in his cage the other day and I was in the room attempting to give him fresh food but he bit me so I had my husband do it. I think Bonkers was still mad at me being near and he lunged at my husband when he tried to feed him just because I was standing there. We've noticed the only time he is cranky with my husband is if I am near. It's like he can't stand the sight of me anymore and is angry when ever he sees me. Sigh... So, it's been a good month. I am really wondering if he will ever like me again. My husband was always the favorite but we got along fine. I am beginning to think our relationship is going to be totally ruined from here on out. He is in his cage most of the time now (but doesn't seem to mind) and he is being kept away from the other flock members because we don't let him loose in the living room. 2 questions now....does it really take 2 months for them to get through this? Is there a chance we will never get along again? I feel like this is an unfair lifestyle for Bonkers. Need help, advice, truth, facts or reassurance if you all are sure it will get better. I'm really bummed out about this.

Any news yet?:unsure:

Absolutely congrats to Penny as well. Isn't it funny how we remember exactly when they came to us, just like real children. As for Bonkers being such a cutie, yes, he is. Every picture I take of him turns out just gorgeous, he really is the camera ham and knows just how to strike a pose:lol: Oh but he's so mean right now. I think I am going to give an update on him in my other post. Thanks for all the well wishes. We appreciate it:silly:

Sounds like you have gotten some great advice from the other members.

And one more of him and the evil Bonkers:evil: :whistle: <br><br>Post edited by: BaxtersMom, at: 2009/07/13 03:33

Yes, Judy, it has already been a year and you can't be more surprised than I am:ohmy: . Where does the time go??? And Janet, I think it is time for a current picture of Baxter...He hasn't had any recent ones up on the forum for awhile so here you go:) <br><br>Post edited by: BaxtersMom, at: 2009/07/13 03:32

Well, I have hit my halfway mark. YEA!!!! The new has worn off, it's not quite as fun anymore:laugh: but I'm still trudging along. I have learned how to massage the head, face, neck, arms, legs, butt:blush: and starting on the back. I am thrilled my grades are still A's but it's been a struggle. I am looking forward to the internship and massaging real clients and that's coming up pretty soon. I am also looking forward to making some money at my new profession. This not working has about sent me to the poor house. I miss shopping!!! But hope to make up for it soon;)

Thanks everyone. I was planning on spoiling him rotten today but wouldn't you know it, it's one of his grouchy days:laugh: I guess the honeymoon is over?

It has been one year today since I brought Baxter home. I can't believe how much happiness he has brought me over the past year. I couldn't imagine ever being without him. So, today being as it's our anniversary he is going to get lots of special attention. I just wanted to share our milestone with everyone. I am still as thrilled with him as the day I got him if not more so. {Love-000200C2}

Chloe is beautiful. Like everyone else I'm hoping it has been caught early and all will be back to normal in no time. I will keep you all in my thoughts and pray for a speedy recovery.

I agree with lovethatgrey. I think they need the security of going into their own cage at night, not to mention for their safety. Anything could happen during the night while we are asleep and in the dark it would be hard knowing what happened or where they were. I wouldn't trust mine not to get into stuff they shouldn't. Mine are out most of the day with very little cage time (unless I am gone) but they do go to their cages at night on their own. It's their safe place. Can I ask why you don't want yours to sleep in a cage?

I have heard that cooked onions fed in moderation or fed very little is ok but I wouldn't make a habit of it. If I have something like spagetti that has cooked onions in it I will take the time to pick them out of it before giving it to my birds. Garlic...I have never fed my parrots, cooked or otherwise. I have heard of them dying from garlic and will not risk it. Perhaps someone else knows more about it than me but if I do not know for sure if something is harmful to my flock or not I do not feed it to be on the safe side. You can always ask your local avian vet which is always the best way to know for sure because there are always so many different opinions. You stew sounds delicious by the way. I would probably pick out the veggies and give the veggies only my flock;)