Luvparrots

Well, only you can really answer this question. There are many members who work 5 days a week and have a very wonderful relationship with their greys. You need to analyze your day and your commitments each day. Do you have the time and desire to spend at least 4 hours a day with your grey out of his cage? Greys need interaction and time to stretch their wings and their minds. I don't mean sitting watching your grey I mean around and close by so that you know what he is doing and where he is. A grey can destroy furniture, computers, electrical chords... just about anything they set their mind to destroy. Greys are very messing beasts, their cages need to be clean and their food fresh and replenished every day. Some greys mess up the water with food and poop and whatever. You have to be ever vigilant because your grey's life depends on it. How have you been with other pets, a dog or cat, have you ever been responsible for a hamster or fish? When my kids were young I started them small with a goldfish then a hamster. Have you ever been responsible for a younger sibling, and how did that go? A grey or any parrot is a real commitment and one that can last years and years and years. Do you really want to commit to such a burden and responsibility at such a young age? Perhaps a canary or parakeet would be a better first choice just to see what it is like to care for a bird. Think about it and read, read, read the many different things in these threads that members have problems with and need help with concerning their greys. Are you ready for these things? I commend you for asking questions and I hope you find your answer.

I don't feed my three parrots outside of their cage. They always go back, well most of the time, without too much trouble because their cages are where the goodies are.

Hi Stefanie, great introduction. It sounds like you are taking things nice and slow with Charlie in charge of the pace. Good job! Grey time can be so slow but is so worth the effort. Welcome to the Grey family. I'm looking forward to watching you and Charlie bond.

Wow, Ana Grey here, I just read this post, no wonder Mama Janet was rummaging in the garage getting the travel cages back in our bird room. She is so afraid of an emergency when she needs to get us all out quickly. Now we have to have the travel cages in our room again, although it is too cold to go outside, sheesh! I guess she has every right to be afraid as she is alone here with the four of us, although I don't really consider Captain Caruso the silly canary.... A BIRD.... little bag of feathers is all he is!! I'll glad you are okay, Talon, you know you are very lucky your Mom is great in an emergency and thinks quickly and moves fast. And she is lucky her son reacted quickly too, he must be a great guy! Stay safe all of you and let us know what's with the fireplace, as it seems too scarey to want to use. I hope all is well and all is safe at your house now.

It would be very helpful if you can get as much information about your grey from the previous owner as you possibly can. What he likes to eat, his every day routine, etc. It's best to take things slow and to interact with him in a calm and non-threatening way. Interact slowly and tell him what you are doing. I find that my parrots are very attentive and watch what I am doing and try very hard to understand what I am trying to say and do for them. They so very much want to belong. Proceed on your grey's terms. Let him take the lead. On what we call "Grey Time". I look forward to learning more about your new friend and you. What his is name?

Excellent. Patience and perservance. He conquers who endures. ~Persius

Welcome Zoe, very nice introduction. Hope you find the right grey for you.

Very interesting. Pepper drove as well as the computer, if not better, if you ask me. Ana Grey wants one for Christmas..... of course, she didn't say whether she meant the vehicle or the parrot.

Just wanted to share:

I purchase from: http://www.northbaytrading.com/dried-vegetables/freeze-dried-vegetables/

I give my three parrots freezed-dried foods all the time. They enjoy it and I know it will not spoil. In an emergency, I am will prepared for my flighted gang.

1. I have been in all 50 states of the USA; 2. Have had an artificial aorta valve for 36 years; 3. Climbed the Leaning Tower of Pisa; 4. Almost drown in the Yangtze River; and 5. I have never learned to swim.

Great update for Chico. As for the dunking. Why oh why do they have little irks that we cannot explain or understand. My Ana Grey hates a dirty face so if she eats something that gets stuck on her beak, she wipes if off and then cleans her beak/face in her water bowl. The water is all over the place. The way of the grey. You got to love 'hem!

Happy Hatchday Corky! I hope you enjoy your day!

Gracie's attitude is certainly not following her name. She has a little sarcastic attitude going on right now. Hopefully, this too will pass. Be strong and patient Jeff, she is just trying to find her place in things.

Dorothy is a lovely TAG. I love TAGs! Looking forward to hearing more about your little lady. Welcome to the Grey family!

I wish Tagg was available for birds. So much easier. http://www.pettracker.com/?utm_source=Yahoo-Bing&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=Fall2012

It is the vet's choice to sedate or not. It is your choice whether to go to another vet who will do as you ask.

I am a large advocate of micro-chipping. I have three parrot, a small TAG, a CAG and a ZON. Each has been chipped without putting them to sleep. My TAG was the first I had chipped. The avian vet wanted to sedate her and I said no because I felt sedating her was more harmful than not. I was right and now they do not sedate birds any longer. There were no side effects for any of my parrots and they never have had any bad effects. I am very relieved to know that I can identify any of my parrots with "no problem". Ana Grey has been micro-chipped for about 3½ years and she will be 5 in August.

Dear Santa, (Of course it is me, Beautiful Ana Grey) I have been a really good girl. So I ask that my human mom gets: a Year's Birdroom cleaning for Christmas; the ability to be creative to make new toys for me and my brothers without the fuss; and for her to meet a almond/pecan/walnut grower from California so that my brothers and I can all have all the free nuts we want ever year. Thank you, Santa, you rock!

I would love to have a macaw, but they are too much bird for me or my little house. I look forward to watching your new baby grow. Do you have a name yet?

Hi, part of your problem is that if you let Alfie sit on your shoulder sometimes, how is he do know when he is not allowed to sit there? You must be consistent if you want your grey to understand the rules. I only have one parrot, Ana Grey, who is allowed to sit on my shoulder. She does not bite. Louie, the zon, loves my ears and Sterling Gris, the CAG, thinks I am the potty plant. So they are not allowed ever. If they fly to my shoulder they are immediately tossed off. I have boings and perches in each of my rooms that the birds are allowed in. They know where they are to sit or be removed. As for being returned to the cages. I do not feed my parrots except in their cages, just an occasional treat outside the cage. So when it's nighttime I just place their foods in their food bowls in their cages and they go in without too much trouble. You have to be consistent for route to work in a household. Just like with kids. Clipping birds is a personal choice even my canary gets out of cage flight time. He has to follow the rules also. No food but in the cage so he returns for night. He is not tame, I can't handle my Captain Caruso, the canary.

Welcome to you and Arie. Looking forward to learning more about him and seeing more pictures!

Of course, you did the smart thing and quietly give the list, pictures and coupons to the parent that came along. Right Santa.

Well it is about time. I knew it would be Dee! Who else has much a love for our feathered friends in need. Congratulations Dee!