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Well, what can I say. you have done a fantastic job in a short time. Baxter will repay you ten fold for giving him a good home and all the love and attention lavished on him. As with all things Grey slowley does it, Building Baxters confidence is everything and you are getting their. Remember not all greys are cuddle bunnies.My Charlie will enjoy a head scratch when he wants one and lets me know in no uncertain terms if he doesent.I think Baxter and youself have done so well.

Hi terri. When Charlie does the wall of death he sort of circles between the cage bars and a perch . I saupose in reality it is a sort of sterio typical behaviour often seen in zoo animals when they are seen pacing back and forth, charlie knows I come running to calm him down so uses it to his advantage. He only does it when getting up or going to bed. He will also play quite happily on his cage when I am in the room but as soon as I leave he flies right to the setee to get the tv remote or chew the setee, he knows I come running to sort him out. He will fly to his cage on command unless something is more interesting. I fell about laughing the other week when I yelled at him to get on the cage and he did, taking the remote with him. theres logic and reason for you.

oh boy can they manipulate. My grey Charlie h2as me well and truly trained. When I get him up in the morning I take off his cover saying goodmorning charl, I then go to the cockatiels cage and repeat the process saying goodmorning Cracker. while doing this Charlie does the wall of death round his cage untill let out. He then likes to do his morning toilet all over the floor. Dont mind as its wood floor and easy cleaned, point is its his routine and he has manipulated me to partisipate as he sees fit. I also must feed him first or he would let me know how anoyed he was. He also has his bed time routine of usually doing the wall of death when put in untill I go over to him and tell him to get on his perch for a head scratch. He does this all the time and gives no piece untill its done. I can also tell a mile off if he is in a grumpy mood, Youcan just tell by the look and the attitude. These are just a few thing he does to get me to do his bidding. Who is sauposed to be in charge hear? I am just his slave. Oh and yes he understands everything More than we realise. Why does he laugh at the right times. Why does he say "want some" when i am eating,but only if I am eating certain things. oh boy they are cleaver.

Hi. Two weeks is no time in the grey trust game. Depending on the birds history it could take months. It sounds as if you are doing ok if the bird will step up from the floor, but take it slow. If she takes treats from you that is also a very good start.Keep talking to her and making her life sweet. She will come round.

me again. Do you buy stuff from Northern Parrots. They are fantastic. try them on www.24parrot.com.

Hi Im Sheila. I am from Liverpool.Like you I have found friends and work colleagues will only tollerate so much bird talk. I am obsessed with my two. I have a Grey, Charlie and a cockatiel called cracker. I spend a fortune on them. I must be mad. Anyway, feel free to talk, talk talk. thats what scousers do best. My birds dont shut up either. They even whistle the everton fc theme from z cars. I am minding my cousins 40 odd year old Grey at the moment,petrified incase anything happens to him. He is called Blue. I think it could be a good idea to ask your work mate if she still wants the Grey, if not you take him. More the merrier. Obviousely It depends on your own circumstances. My vet phoned me up a few months ago asking if I could take a grey on. One of his clients no longer wanted it. I just could not do it. I have no room for another big cage in the house. I was gutted, but very flattered that the vet asked me.See what I mean, even the vet phones me up. Mind you he probabley went on a months holiday somewhere exotic on the money I ave given him. See what I mean about talking. Hope to hear from you soon.

Give him time, lots of time. At six he is still a young bird. My grey is around the same age. Maybe try getting him to step up on to a stick first, when he is more settled. Keep giving him treats by hand and talking to him

If you have only had your bird a few days it is still getting used to you and its environment. It will take time for it to settle down and start talking. I am not sure how old your bird is but some greys dont start talking till around 12 months old. Some never talk at all but most do. Even if talking never happens, Greys are amazing birds anyway.

Hi what a fantastic oportunity for your Grey to pick up words in different languages. As for the confusion issue, just make sure any comands given Ie step up, down ect are given in one consistant language.I would also lable things in one language such as nice bath when you are showering your bird or toast if giving a bit of toast ect.I see no harm in teaching words or phraises in other languages.

Hi apple tree should be fine for monty, you wisely hosed it down to clear of pesticides. I am sure he will love it.He is a nice bird.

If you think thats a long wait, I went to Kenya in Nov 2006 and I am still trying to edit my videos and put music to them. I havent a clue.My nephew is a computer fanatic and has degree in it every time I ask him for help he just laughs and tels me I will work it out. I am so frustraited. I am thinking of phoning a mobile computer buff to sort it out but it will cost a fortune.

Their are some pics of Blue on my home page.Thanks lovemygreys for the link.I will take some more pics next week. Blue is fantastic, just need to convinse Charlie. Mind you he has always been ok with him. I would love to put the two greys in the aviery but Blue has never been in an aviery and I cant risk him getting hurt or upset so thats out.

yes I hope charlie follows blues good examples, just hope he does not pick up the swear words.At the moment charlies worst is "Ill batter you" and I hope to keep it that way.I will put some photos of blue on my profile page,not sure how to do that in a post.

Hi everyone. Thought you would like to know that on Sunday I am having Blue to stay for a few weeks. Blue is a 40 odd year old grey and is like a family heirloom. He was brought back from Africa by my cousin 40 0dd years ago when he went to see with the navy. It was allowed then. Blue was almost certainly wild caught but is one of the lucky ones. He has had the same owner all his captive life and has never had any behavioural problems. Infact he is more savy and together than my own hand reared grey Charlie Blue has seen and done it all. The first time I had him stay was a challenge as he hated me with a vengence,major operation cleaning and feeding and growling and lungeing when I went near the cage. By the time he went home though he was much better. I have had him many times since and he loves me now, just makes himself right at home and enjoying a head scratch. He really does seem to remember where he is and obviousely does not feel stressed or strange.He had a hugh vocab when younger most of it I could not write hear,he is not called Blue for nothing. Now his main saying is hello my old mate. Charlie is not impressed when Blue stays but seems to tollerate him. Blue just seems to regard charlie as a young nuisance.I keep them apart but they can see and hear each other.Blue is very well behaved. He goes in his cage on command You only have to say get in Blue and he does. Infact I taught Charlie to do this by letting him see blue do it and giving him a treat when he does it right.Its so funny because when I say get in to Charlie the cockatiel Cracker shouts it as well and really tells him off shouting come on get in hurry up get in. I am looking forware to Sunday.I am also off work next week so should have fun with the birds. .<br><br>Post edited by: she, at: 2008/08/21 21:24

So sorry about your dog. I know its awfull,been their and wore the t shirt with cats dogs horses and birds. Still I come back for more. I am also in a delemer about Paint and wood preserver. I want to Put some wood preserver on the aviery but am scared stiff incase I harm the birds. They dont live in the aviery so could be kept away for a while.I am going to ask the vet for advice.

I forgot to say that with regards to Zahzus chest get the vet to check her out although you may think she has not done much damage an xray will confirm this and also prescribe the pain medication if needed.She will at the very least be bruised and tender.

Poor little bird. With regards to pain management when my grey Charlie damaged his wing the vet put him on a painkiller called metacam.I think it really helped him.The vet increased the dose I was giving him after a few days when it was not helping. Maybe your vet could prescribe some for your bird if needed.It is horrible to see a bird fall like that and I am sure you are as shaken as the bird.My grey was clipped for a long while but I only allowed the vet to do it and then it was only a very mild clip and Charlie could still fly, just not gain much hight. The vet was always reluctant and eventually encouraged me to allow the bird to become fully flighted.I am now very glad that he did.Charlie has soon picked up some commands such as on your cage and come hear. I hope all goes well and you all soon recover.

This reply may be a bit late but try the towel game. That is place a towel on your knee ot floor. Let Rio sit on the towel and eat treats off it. Gradually after time gently fold the towel over her stage by stage little by little over time untill she will alow you tohold her in the towel. Maynot work for her at the moment but will be invaluable for any future vet visit.The aim is to get her to trust the towel. I read this in Sally Blanchards happy bappy parrot book.

Hello Ashleymarie. Try taking Rio in to a seperate room from the cage,then practice step up giving lots of praise for the right response.Repeat this in lots of short sessions remembering to praise and NOT step the bird up quickly from hand to hand.I usually practice the down command at the same time ie I place the bird on a perch or chair back using DOWN then I ask him to step up and then repeating the down. I only do this a few times and its praise and treats all round.It sounds to me she may be a bit teritorial. Be firm but always kind

HI lOKI IS A REAL CUTE BIRD. My little cockatiel cracker did not come from the best of breeders, infact I should not have entertained him. My heart ruled my head and I could not leave him their. I waited three weeks for him and every day was horrible knowing his environment was filthy.Also he was tube fed which I hate. I was told he was weaned AT FIVE WEEKS. I just flew up to get him and got formula on the way. I fed him for another few weeks myself,I had very little experiance of hand rearing but knew a few people who gave me help.Cracker has turned out brilliant.I am sure Loki will thrive. I know he should have been cleaner but he looks well and happy in the photos. The last ones are a hugh improvement.I took Cracker to the vets soon after I got him home and he was given a clean bill of health, but I was carefull for a few weeks to keep him seperate from charlie as much as I could in a small house.Thats just common sence If you have other birds.Good luck

I bet you are so excited,you are really going all out to make your home safe for the lucky baby. Remember to check all toys are non toxic and also his cage. I am thinking of getting a new cage for charlie but he is a pain with all things new. It takes a couple of weeks to introduce toys so a cage will be a nightmare,, I know greys can be like that so I may be in for the long hall.

Thanks steve and misty, Polly was a very special bird,mind you the two I have now are amazing.Love to hear from you again soon

Thanks, its silly but I feel really nervous about it, at 44 years old I should know better

I loved your story about precious,really heart warming,

your baby is so sweet. I have given up on zippers. My grey loves them, the cockatiel is not that bothered,he just wants his head scratched.