redkim

We just went through this over Christmas without a problem. We were gone for 7 days and I had our caretaker (who comes twice a day) feed and check on Fred plus we had a radio on a timer that would come on for just a few hours each day. It worked out just fine and Fred was happy to see us and very cuddly when we got back. We made sure to leave ourselves a couple days between coming back and going to work and it ended up that it helped since Fred was wanting to be with us all the time right when we got back. After a couple days the routine kicked back in and all is well! No lasting effects. I would recommend either a TV or a radio to come on for a little entertainment - not for the whole day as they need some quiet time too.

I have heard and read lots of places that the dark leafy greens like kale and spinach can actually be harmful to the Greys in that they bind calcium and it cannot be absorbed in the bloodstream. This could lead to worse calcium deficiency problems in Greys. I know that I cannot feed that stuff to my tortoise for the same reason - it will bind the calcium, he will not be able to absorb it and it will cause big problems like MBD (metabolic bone disease). Other greens like broccoli are ok, it's only the dark leaf stuff.

AWWWW thanks you guys. I cannot even contain the excitement! Having been around tons of different animals we are very aware of "start as you mean to go on", so while we are allowing her to be her own "person" we are also making sure she understands there are some ground rules. Since she is a baby still (7 months) she beaks us and we allow it until she starts to apply pressure, then there is a no or no bite and she stops. I figure she'll keep testing which is when we'll increase it to no and a trip back to the cage should she push it. Also, while we let her out every chance we get, we are working to let her know there is "with us" time, "play time" on the playpen and cage, and sometimes there is "cage time" even when we're there. That happens a little each evening when the ferrets get their out of cage time - she has to be in and safe when those goobers get going. She's adapted quite well, I think she likes watching the ferret antics and her cage is right behind our sofa in the center of things, so it's not like she's missing out on any action. She has done a few "screechy" vocalizations which we ignore and when she does a good vocalization like hello or whistles we praise her and give her treats. But like any child - the boundaries will be tested and we know that. I'll keep you guys up to date!! I am sure she will have some things that I will be asking you guys about soon!

Well, we had some changes to our holiday schedule so we will be home or somewhere we can take a bird during that time so we went ahead and picked up our new CAG fid last Sunday!!! :woohoo: We have been in absolute heaven ever since! I did a lot of research and bought our girl from Birds and More in Torrance, CA. The breeder there - Karen and the gals in the shop were incredibly knowledgeable and very good with their birds. They had socialized these babies so well that our girl is practically fearless! She does not bite even if she gets a little upset, we can touch and pet here everywhere (under wings etc), steps up beautifully, eats EVERYTHING, will try all sorts of new foods I have offered her and traveled home and went in a new strange cage with tons of toys and never got scared. Interested - yup, but just took everything in so well. I put her flight suit on last night to start her getting used to it and she was so patient through all of my fumbles, I finally got the darn thing on and all she did was pick at it for a bit and then got distracted by treats. She is so GOOD!! We spent all week trying to find a name that fits her - she can be a diva sometimes but completely silly the next with no luck. So we finally named her Fred. After the Rodney Carrington song that goes: "Well he got to a town met a woman in a night gown And she was wearin a frown(hell it rhymed) Well her name was, I didnt know what her name was So we just called her Fred" I will try to get some pictures of her soon - she's so fun to give toys to because she plays with them instantly, no worries about introducing new things - this gal is a trooper. I think she's finally got the forage wheel down . . better get more goodies! Thanks all for listening to my raving - this has just been such an awesome beginning that I feel like I'm on Cloud #9! Kim

OK OK there REALLY needs to be a warning on this thread!! :laugh: I just made the large mistake of reading this all the way through and now I need some pee-off to fix the mess I made. I wonder if I need to let it soak for 10 minutes? Once done does that make me pissed-off? Oh jeez, someone save me!! :blush:

Oh wow - THANK YOU PATSY!!! And the price is the same I would pay for the other cages. I like Jen's idea of perches out and around the cage - I did that with my cockatiels in the past and they loved it. I also like the divided tray at the bottom so I don't have to wield an enormous tray around for cleaning. Of course the boyfriend may not be so enthusiastic about the size but he just goes along with things. Well, in our current temporary digs I am going to have to do some VERY creative maneuvering but I just may be able to work it. The new house will have oodles of room for a cage that size. I know about having to assemble a cage inside. My ferret cage is about that size, actually a little larger. I was actually advised by one salesperson that the cage I wanted was "overkill" and only breeders or rescues should use a cage that large. ????? I could not believe that this person was advocating a smaller cage! If I have the room then why not? My 2 ferrets have tons of room to play and climb while we are out and get lots of good exercise in a nice big cage. Sure I could have gotten smaller but why? Some people just don't get it I guess. If we are going to take responsibility for keeping animals then why not do the best we can for them rather than go with what is "easier" or "normal". OK - off the dang soapbox. It sure is nice to chat with a group like you guys who are all like-minded. Thanks for the confidence AM - I sometimes think I over obsess with researching but then I end up rewarded for all the time and effort and so it just keeps going! Having a forum like this to get opinions has helped a ton!! I am getting in 2 shipments of various climbing deals, forage toys, perches, and other sundry items tomorrow - cannot wait!! I am going to be in Christmas-land early this year!

Very cool thanks for the input guys!! I see the limitations in cage 2 - unless he is in the lower 32" height he will not have the full width of the cage (again the divider is out completely) but I want to avoid constrictions. Cageless is not an option for safety reasons plus when we get our new house I want our parrot to be in our family room with all the action as opposed to a separate room. Patsy - That's a great cage!! What are the dimensions and who makes it? Perches in a huge cage could be a problem but luckily there is a veritable manzanita forest on my parents ranch and so I get to go and raid it for anything I need, that way I can get perches and trees as large or long as I need. Kinda cool really. OK - guys. Moving away from the split level and onto a huge open cage, still looking for playtop although I can modify a cage like Patsy's to have a playtop. Thank you all - AM I like the idea of seeing what colors my new guy will like. I am going to be visiting him/her as much as I can until I get to bring him home in January. I was already figuring on letting him choose all his toys at the store during our visits too.

Hi AM, Well I sure would love to do that but I do need to have a cage before he gets home so he has something to live in! I have already found and put a deposit on a great 7 month old CAG from Birds and More. He is quite the mellow guy and has stepped up on everything I asked him to in the store. So far he has not shown a decided preference for a particular style. So much for him holding up his end of the bargain!! I did find a great travel cage for the times we need to travel and for his trip home from the store so I did buy that but it's only for short trips, way too small to be a cage for more than a couple of days. I also have found some HUGE macaw cages and I like that, I will just have to make some secure hidey-areas in a cage that big. I also found the EZ care cage that luvparrots has - WOW that is SO cool!! Oh well - back to the search. :side:

I have found cage #1 for as low as $399 with no tax and free shipping!! Still trying to decide though . . . cost is second to getting the best cage for my eventual grey!! Although if I could afford the stainless steel that would be great, I am just not made of money darnit!

Great - thanks you guys. Lyric I appreciate the color info!! Cage 2 has the same area as other cages and is more unique looking. The divider would definitely be out permanently,and it seemed to have more in/out options which may be more fun for a grey. I also noticed the bars are closer together which may be either a. more confining looking to the bird or b. more secure feeling to the bird. Thoughts? However I am sure going to look up the EZ care cages too. I like that idea of the whole fron panel opening for cleaning.

Hi all, I am stuck! I have narrowed it down to 2 cages and I cannot decide!! So I have decided to open this up to the democratic society that we are and get a vote! Here is cage 1: http://www.parrot-and-conure-world.com/40x30-play-top-parrot-bird-cage.html And cage 2: http://www.parrot-and-conure-world.com/split-level-parrot-bird-cage-with-divider.html I like the split level idea, a few more outlet options and maybe a little more interesting from the inside but then the outside play area is smaller than cage 1. Cage one is great but just seems so boxy and boring. However lots of toys will fix that! See my dilemma?!?!?! Anyway - let me know your preferences kind folks! :lol:

Yes - I am going to get a baby after the first of the year. I live in So Cal and have access to 2 great breeders who I can go visit and will contact them once I have a clearer idea of what I am looking for. I will also be bugging the bejaysus out of them with all my questions! Here are the 2 breeders I am looking at: www.birdsandmore.com www.parrotsnaturally.com Both seem to be very good breeders and quite responsible as far as not allowing their birds to leave before they are ready. As I have done dog and horse rescues, the idea of a rescue grey is appealing however I do know that I am not knowledgeable enough to bring one home and give it the proper care it needs. So far I am leaning towards a male baby Congo but as I have read fairly frequently - I know my baby will pick me so I am not setting my choice as a hard and fast rule. I have been surprised and "picked" by animals in the past and so I know now how to just go with the flow! :laugh:

Thank you all so much for the warm welcome!! I can see this is a fantastic place to be! I am looking to get a grey after the first of the year. I don't want to bring home a baby during the hustle and bustle of the holidays. I would love to do a rescue as that is a subject near and dear to my heart however I know at this point I do not posess the necessary tools to provide a good knowledgeable home for an older bird that may have issues. Luckily being in So Cal I have access to 2 great breeders so I can visit both and take my time. I have also heard of Wendys parrots but I would prefer to avoid the stress of shipping if possible.

Hi all, New here and WHAT a great place!! Well after many many years of wanting and waiting I am finally going to get my first Grey!! I am not new to birds and especially exotics and parrots but until now I have not felt my life was where it needed to be for one of these guys. Luckily that has changed! Even armed with working knowledge I have been doing TONS of research. I may be irreparably confused now! I will explain the household a little and then ask a couple basic questions. My boyfriend and I work during the week however we have staggered schedules and so it would allow for a lot of out of cage time plus the fact that money is no object and I am looking to get a huge cage to allow for lots of toys and still be able to move around freely when he/she does need to be kept in. We have other animals - dogs, cats, and ferrets. It can get wild sometimes when all 3 groups start playing with one another! I have had birds before while owning ferrets and have always been very conscientious of keeping the 2 apart, the dogs and cats have been raised around birds and pay them no mind at all however interaction is still severely restricted if at all and always monitored. Life is pretty routine and once the routine is learned life is actually quite quiet and repetitive. My questions are as follows and I am really just looking for others opinions and experiences as facts on a site don't allow for individuality as I have found. Male or Female? I would be the primary caregiver and am female, but both of us are very hands on with our animals and we both enjoy play time. Have any of you noticed that either sex may be pickier as far as accepting male/female humans? Congo or Timneh? I know others have asked this question and I personally am not hooked on a particular choice at this point. I have heard that the congos can be more nervous but how much is that? What are your preferences and why? I would especially like input on this given our diverse little household. I have also heard that extending the handfeeding and weaning time with the Congos can help with making them less nervous and more confident. Thoughts? Thank you everyone for your input on this!!

Hi All! My name is Kim and I live in the Southern California area. I have always had animals - small and large, lots of bird experience and a graduate of the EATM program in Moorpark, CA. I have always wanted an African Grey parrot, I have worked with many, but the circumstances were never right enough for me to feel comfortable bringing one of these gorgeous birds into my personal life, and looking back I made the right decision. Well now life has settled and I am ready for my first African Grey. In doing tons of research I may have completely boggled my mind! So even having been around and worked with these bords previously I have some questions!