Refunds_Mom

I don't have too much to add on Refund. He wasn't happy at all about being in his carrier, so as soon as we got back to the exam room I got him out and he sat nicely on my hand the whole time the vet talked to us. He also stepped up for the vet, but got super-grumpy when he was toweled. :laugh: He got a clean bill of health as well, and I think he weighed in at 417 grams versus Joey's 404. I was also really happy to hear him recommend Harrison's as a diet, and he had some good ideas on toys for them. I also thought it was funny when he said a lot of people get Greys just because they have the potential talk, and he said that's dumb. He's pretty straightforward, which I really like. He seeme optimistic that Refund will stop plucking given some more time. Neither bird seemed too upset by the visit, which I was glad of! Meg

Refund is, I'm fairly sure after reading an article, fairly territorial while he's in or on his cage. Last night I put him back on the cage after spending time with him in the bathroom, and he was growling and trying to bite when I'd put my hand up. I picked up a stick and he took off flying, so I got him picked up, put him back on the cage, held my hand up, and allowed him to step on. He took off after touching my hand almost immediately, so we repeated the process and called it a day when he stood calmly on my hand. He also got some treats. I wasn't sure how he'd be today, but he's just as good as last night. I'm really excited, and now we just need to work on him stepping up while he's actually in the cage. Also, he's looking to me more and more as his "safe spot". He practically begs to step up while we're in the bathroom, and if I don't offer my hand he huddles near me. Also, when I got him out of his cage last night he was having a temper tantrum since I wouldn't let him get away with biting me, and he somehow ended up hanging upside down on his perch and couldn't get back up. I held my hand out and he grabbed on with one foot immediately. The night before he got himself on a shelf in the bathroom and couldn't get turned around since the stuff on the shelf was blocking him, and he had his blind side to me but caught a glimpse of my hand and stretched out his foot for me without being able to see. Aaaand finally, it's really funny to watch him and Joey together in the bathroom. He was scared of a spoon, then watched Joey play with it and wanted to get it then. He also gets jealous if I pick Joey up and not him. And now, some questions! 1. He hates having me touch any part of him except his beak. I can touch his feet without him grumbling too much, and that's about it. I'd love to be able to give him head scratches and can't. 2. Does anyone else have both a male Grey and a female? I had Joey on one hand and Reefie on another, and I can't believe the size difference. I'm wondering if that's consistent. Also, Joey has light-colored feet and Refund's are darker. 3. I thought Refund quit plucking, but I noticed a spot on his chest where a pin feather had started to come in, and he yanked it out. He's got a vet appointment tomorrow, along with Joey, but I was wondering if anyone has an opinion on the FeatherProtectors by Avian Fashions (found here.) I think that's everything, haha. Meg

I did a search and found this: Durian. The locals in Southeast Asia call the durian (Durio spp.) the “King of fruits.” However, they describe its odor as something between rotting dead cats and unwashed socks. Durian is reputed to exacerbate high blood pressure and tradition indicates that you should not eat it with alcohol (106) . Every year, the newspapers of Thailand report one or two deaths from eating durian (NY Times, April 8, 2007). Raw seeds should not be eaten because they contain 1-Methylcyclopropene that may cause shortness of breathe. However, people do eat the seeds after they are roasted or boiled and then deep-fried. These seeds are a treat in some cultures. We know little about durian toxicity for birds. I found that here. Granted, the site is about Caiques but it still has good info. I wouldn't personally feed it when there's tons of other fruits/veggies you know are safe. Meg

judygram wrote: We wish! The vet we take our regular furry animals to gives us a deal on multiple pets, but this one charges $36 per bird for an exam, plus however much bloodwork is. Oh well, if they get a clean bill of health it's all worth it! Meg

Mel wrote: Fiance, actually. He's pmaholm on here. Meg

When we got Refund we both agreed he's actually quieter than some smaller birds we've been around. Refund does this one obnoxious beeping noise that sounds like a smoke alarm with a dying battery. He does this when he wants out of his cage (or, apparently, any kind of attention). Then, we got Joey, and she does the same noise, only shriller. So, um, Refund was quiet until right about...now. For the past 10 minutes they've been beeping back and forth at each other -- they're in separate rooms so Joey can settle in a little more, but I have a feeling that won't last very long. :lol: Neither of them are talking but they have a nice little repetoire (sp?) of whistles, and Joey imitates a water drop noise perfectly. Call me crazy, but I don't WANT them to be quiet! I love hearing all the noises they can make, and I can't wait until they start talking. Meg

Tonight we brought Refund into the bathroom for some more bonding time. He was doing fine with me and was avoiding Patrick at all costs unless I brought out "The Towel." :lol: Anyway, we had Joey out also for a while (that bird LOVES to bite me...geez) and then put her back. Refund was on my hand then clambered up to between my shoulders and refused to come down. Patrick reached for him and Refund of course started growling and I told him to get the darn bird off because I doubted he was going to bite. After a lot of grumbling Reefie climbed up on his hand and let himself be put down, and after that he would step up on Patrick's hand and go from his to mine and then back again. It was awesome! I think he's been bluffng quite a bit and isn't going to bite every time he growls, although I'm still going to be careful with him when he's on or in his cage. I'm just glade that he'se not going to hate Patrick foreveer. :lol: Now we just need to work on getting Joey to not latch onto my/our finger(s) and grind as hard as she can. Ha! Meg<br><br>Post edited by: Refunds_Mom, at: 2008/08/04 02:28

If Refund can't come out of his cage unless he steps up, he'd never come out! I'm not going to deprive him of that, of course. If I'm not doing somewhing specific like taking him somewhere else in the house, I just leave the cage door open and he'll eventually go back in, like you said. Meg

Whoops someone didn't sign out of their account on my laptop.<br><br>Post edited by: Refunds_Mom, at: 2008/08/03 03:46

WOW, that article describes Refund almost perfectly. I suppose the advice given in it is a good incentive to start teaching him to step up/down. Thanks a lot for that link, it was really helpful! BaxtersMom, I think Refund's problem is from a similar cause. He was in a breeding situation for the past 10+ years and was never out of his cage. I can see why he'd be a little territorial. The frustrating thing is he gives basically no warning. I reach my hand up for him to step on to, and he just growls and then lunges. I read in the article that they shouldn't be let out of their cage until they step on your hand, so I need to work on that. Until now I've just opened the door and let him come out on his own. I don't want to push him too hard and too quick, but he drew blood last night and I don't appreciate it too much.

Hello everyone, Refund's coming along pretty well. If he's off his cage (on the floor or in the bathroom) he comes right over to get on my hand and will sit there contently for as long as we both feel like. He also begs to come out of his cage, and as soon as the door's open he climbs out. He's also playing with his toys a lot more, exploring, etc. Now, the problem. He's MEAN when he's on or in the cage. I put my hand up to him politely, and he sees me coming, but then he growls and tries to bite. I've tried telling him no and I try not to move my hand away, but I've been bitten a couple times already. We've already discovered he HATES sticks, and if I even pick one up he gets agitated and growls, or flies off the cage, where he's immediately sweet and ready to get on my hand. So at this point I can't use a stick to teach him to get off/out of the cage. Tips? Pretty please? Meg

Hi everyone, After being introduced to the forums by my fiance Patrick (pmaholm on here) I decided to get my own account to avoid confusion when posting. Anyway, if you've read Patrick's posts you know a little about Refund, our 19 year old CAG and you'll hear a bunch about Joey, Refund's former mate, from Patrick soon, I'm sure, since we're picking her up within the hour. I think we've come to the conclusion Refund is basically mine and Joey will be Patrick's, but we want them to be as social and trusting as possible with other people. Well, since I'm rambling now I'll shut up. ;)Looking forward to meeting everyone! Meg