Superluvrgurl

Is it possible for you to hold a grey too much and spoil it? I was just curious because I am going to soon adopt a hand-feeding baby, and I know that he/she will be spending a lot of time out of the cage to play/bond with my family and also for feedings but is it equally important for my grey to spend time in his/her cage as well? I was just thinking that if I had my grey out of the cage all the time, eventually couldn't that cause problems with him/her wanting to go back in? I dont want to spoil my bird, and make it hard to convince him/her that it is time to go back in the cage. I think that its important that I am able to get my bird in and out of the cage as I need to. For instance at bed-time or when I have to leave the house and cannot take the bird with me. Opinions are appriciated. Thanks in Advance.

Okay so I have a question relating to this post. i might be getting a young grey. Is it true that if I have lots of people socialize my bird, that has he/she grows he/she will be more accustomed to people and will less likley become a "one person bird?" I have a LARGE family... all whom would be more than happy to come over and play with the grey. I have 5 siblings, my 2 parnets, my husband and my 3 children. I was told that greys develop many relationships with people on different levels if they are socialized properly. Is this true? Thanks in advance!

So I am still deciding if I want an african grey but one thing that I have thought about is that I would like to use a harness to take my bird on outings with my family. My kids and I often go to the park, and in the summer we like to go to the farmer's market and sit in the square and listen to local artists and musicians. I believe that this outing time will help socilize my bird. I want to use a harness to ensure safetly. My question is, since I will be getting a young grey, should I practice putting on the harness long before we intend to go outside? Would it be a good idea to put on the harness inside (without the leash attachment) just to get the bird used to putting it on, wearing it and taking it off? Should I tell my bird when we are going to put on the harness and when we are taking it off? Is there anything else I should know about harnesses? thanks in advance!

So I am concidering a grey as a new member of my family. First let me say this. I already have 4 tiels and I also have 3 small children ages 6 4 and 1. Now, that being said, my children have been taught how to aproach the cage if they would like to see the birds. They have been taught that they are not to hit/pull/harass the birds, and that they are not allowed to touch them without mommy or daddy. That being said we have absolutely no problems with our birds and kids in the same home. I have some friends and when I told them that I was concidering a grey I got some awlful responses... people were warning me about the safety of my kids and telling me stories about flesh-ripping birds. I am sort of scared now. Should I be? Should I heed the advice of my friends and choose not to get a grey because of my kids? advice would be appriciated. REALLY appriciated because now I am starting to worry. Thanks!

Thanks everyone for being so kind. I did go to the other birds section and post pictures of my tiels, and I also have a pending question in the nursery area that nobody has answered yet. I Cant wait to get to know everyone and learn so much about these wonderful creatures!

Okay so as I said in my intorduction post, a close friend of mine got a Grey and now I also have the oppertunity to get one also. Her's was just a baby and I couldnt help but become curious with him. As I held him, he gave me kisses and made cute little noises, but then started to play with my ears, and climb up on me where he wanted. Are these behaviors typical for a baby bird? Baby Greys act TOTALLY different than baby tiels. Tiels dont use their beak as much as other hookbills do, so Im not sure as to what is concidered normal and what is not. As I was holding this sweet baby I just began to think that the ear playing was cute now but what happens when it gets bigger and stronger, and then its no longer cute. How do you discourage behaviors that you do not like in a juvinille? Im still reading up. Sorry if this sounds like a silly question.

BaxtersMom wrote: I feel like a "crazy bird lady" When I tell people this but my birds are just as unique and individual as my kids are. I have 4 tiels and 3 children. My tiels act like kids. Duckie doesnt like to eat peas, Ryley prefers her mist-bath in the early morning, whereas Drake would rather take a dip in the waterbowl whevever it strikes him. Chickin loves attention and to be touched and kissed. All of them tolerate my children. The birds were taught not to be mean to the "babies" and the babies are taught how to approach the birds. It sounds crazy but my birds are just another part of my family. Im excited about potentially adding a grey to our family

Since so many people requested to see my spoiled fids, I just decided to provide my photobucket link, and then those of you that would like to see can check it out. (link is at the bottom) I have 4 Tiels: Ryely is my pied female. She was the first of my tiels and is affectionately called "Ryley-poo" by my husband and I. She laid her first clutch of eggs last November. (Unfirtle, as she had what we refered to as a "love toy". Needless to say the toy is gone, she lost interest in the eggs, and things are back to normal.) I also have a cinamon pearl pied that is named Chickin. She is about 6 months, though I am thinking that I might have to change her name to Rooster as she seems to be slowly shedding her pearls as she gets older which indicates that she might be a he. I guess Im going to have to wait until she molts. Anyhow this is the first baby bird I ever hand-fed. She is convinced that she is a person and I ADORE her. I have a lutino female named Duckie. She is a silly one. She's not really fond of anyone but me, and isnt a real affectionate bird, but I never told her that she has to be... lol. Ive come to respect that she likes her space, and that she finds her comfort in being around me rather than all over me. Guess thats why they say animals all have their own personality. Last I have a grey. "He" is clutch-mate to Duckie. I believe that he is a he because he is not a lutino as his sister is, however his father was only split to lutino so he could be a he or a she. Im hoping that he is a he. He seems to have become more vocal in the last two weeks or so. He is my attention hog. If I leave he flock calls for me, and if I open the cage door he must have head scritches There are more pictures in my album that you are welcome to take a look at located here: http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a63/superluvrgurl/ I just decided to pick one of each to shorten this message Thanks for looking!

Hi everyone! My name is Rissa and I live in Nebraska. I don’t have a Grey yet, but I am seriously considering it. I love birds and have 4 tiels that are my babies I've always wanted a larger, smarter bird but never had the chance to have one until recently. While my decision is still in process, I've decided to read everything I can get my hands on about these wonderful feathered friends to adequately educate myself on their needs both physically and socially, before I actually commit to one and then find that they are not what I had expected. I have always loved birds, even as a child. They intrigue me, and seem to have a way about grabbing my heart. (hence how I ended up with 4 tiels and in the predicament I am in now… wondering if a grey is right for me) I found this site on Google, and I figured that it would be a good place to learn all that I can, so that I know in the end… If I decide to or decide not to adopt a Grey it will be an educated decision, and not a spontaneous one. Cant wait to meet everyone!