rjhammy

Thanks for clarifying that up for me Dave. For future reference... how do you link a word to a cue? I read up on the "teacher/pupil" method... but what if Ash said something on her own without training, how do I encourage it? For example... if one day, she decides to say "Ash"... how do I link it to a cue? Like... "what is your name?" Thanks for your help!

I have a follow up question to the whistling... and building other words. For example... Ash started whistling this week. Everytime she whisltes, we run over to her and say "sexy bird." How do I "flip this around?" How do I work with her to when I say sexy bird... she'll do the whistle? Right now it seems like SHE'S training ME!! Like... whenever she whistles, I say sexy bird. =P

What do you think about whistling vs. talking? Is this an old school technique? That you shouldn't encourage whistling until they have built a good sized vocabulary?

Ash has made her first distinct sound... the wolf whistle! My question is... now what? Whenever she does it correctly, we say "sexy bird." Any suggestions on how to encourage her? Thanks! We're so excited!!

To eat... Ash loves fuji apples and grapes. To obliterate... she loves whole large carrots. I always secretly wish some of it gets in her stomach when she does it.

Hello Adaya!!

Congrats!! Next thing you know, he/she'll be yakking your ear off and the bossing you around.

Yes... the microchip was very scary for me too. There was a lot of back and forth conversation with me and my boyfriend and us with the vet. The vet said judging by Ash's temperament, she didn't need to use anesthesia. It's good because there's always a risk with anesthesia... but it was bad because she had to be awake through the whole thing. I couldn't be in the room with her, but I kept my ear close to the door. It took about 15 minutes to do everything. Ash squawked a little here and there, but nothing to make me wanna break the door down {Characters-00020059} When they let me in the room, she was happy to see me... but I could tell she was a little upset. I was afraid I broke her trust. That was the hardest part for me to deal with... that I didn't "protect" her. She was a good sport though... but I guess I won't know how she really feels until we go back the next time and see if she panics.

We took Ash to the vet yesterday to get her leg band removed, microchip and sexed. I've been calling Ash "her"... but we'll find out on Tuesday!! **bites nails** Also... my suspicions were correct. Ash's leg band was too small. The vet pulled her band down and there was an abrasion on the back of her leg that was rubbed raw. I'm sure she was happy to get it off. My boyfriend and I also decided to get her microchipped. We weighed our options and decided to get her chipped... not because we think we'd lose her... but just in case there was the itty-bitty-silm-miniscule-chance we would ever have to prove she was ours. It's scary to think about, but if she was stolen or if there was some kind of disaster and we were separated, I'd do everything in my power to get her back. Just because Ash knows my name... probably wouldn't hold up in court, but the chip ID would. No anesthetic was needed. She was a great sport. I can tell she was a little sluggish/sleepy yesterday... but that could have been the long car ride and jam-packed day. Today she's back to her usual self. Love that Grey!!

Hi All, I felt I had hastily put up my response about the other vet clinic... so I wanted to explain. Everyone is entitled to their opinions about proper care for greys... but the reason I was so upset was because the vet tech made me feel like I was a MONSTER, and I was a horrible person because I wanted to remove Ash's leg band and get a microchip. She also made comments about putting Ash through this "torture" just because I don't want her to wear "jewelry." First of all, her leg band is very snug and when she's on the floor, she has a weird limp on that leg. I told the vet tech that just because she doesn't currently have a sore doesn't mean she won't get one or she won't injure herself. This is a preventative measure. Second, for a vet who does not anesthetize at all worries me. I understand that not all birds need it, but it's nice to know it's an option. I mean, what would the vet do with an unruly bird? Force it down to remove the band? No wonder they have concerns with broken legs.

Okay... so here's the update... Due to a mix up in the schedule, our vet was not there and we were directed to another place. We figure we had trekked all the way there, we should check it out.The front office staff asked what we wanted... and we said band removal, microchip and sexing. Please let me know what you think of her answers... 1. If there is no sore on her leg (which there isn't), we will not remove bands. You are risking breaking the bird's leg if you remove it. You should just learn to live with jewelry. 2. We do not anesthetize. It is a risk to the bird. 3. We do not microchip here. There still isn't a verdict on which type to use and microchipping involves big needles and we don't believe in doing that to the bird. 4. DNA sexing is $150... but it looks like a girl from here. My boyfriend and I looked at each other and screamed... "RUUUUUUUUUN!" {Emotions-0002007D} Can't wait to see our real vet in two weeks!

Tomorrow Ash is getting her band removed, microchipped and DNA tested. Her leg band is too tight for her. I'm so nervous!! Can anyone share their experiences? What to expect? How do I make Ash feel better after the ordeal? Thanks!!

OH boy... I better get the ear plugs ready!! The funny thing is that I think Ash KNOWS she's tormenting the pug. {Feel-good-0002006E}{Feel-good-0002006E} What a bully!!! Also... she's starting to make new noises... how do I encourage her or nurture it?

Ash is our 6 month CAG. Artie is our 1 year old pug. Artie doesn't bark unless he hears other dogs. He's pretty much ignored Ash's chirps, squawks and whistles. However, last night... Ash started making barking noises. Artie immediately started barking back. All of sudden, there was a barking war between Ash and Artie! :lol: My question now is... what should I do? Should I encourage Ash to bark? (if yes... how?) Should I discourage Artie to stop? Ash is in the very early stages of building sounds... so I want to encourage her... without driving myself crazy down the road.

I wear new toys as jewelry accessories. You can make a necklace and hang the toy or dangle from your belt loops. I usually enter the room with it already on. I go about my usual business. Every once in a while, I'll get really excited and play with it and have a jolly time. It used to take a few hours. Now it's almost instantaneous... right when she see's it, she wants it. Sometimes I'll even tease her and not let her have it. The suspense drives her crazy, and when she finally gets it, it's like a small victory for her.

Oh wow.... Thanks Dan! {Feel-good-000200B9}

We've only had Ash for 2 months... but she never ceases to impress me. So... I'm always on the look out for potential Ash toys and found a St. Patty's Day necklace with large silver and green beads and two huge shamrocks. Too lazy to take a picture, but it's something like this, but with larger beads: Anyways... she was immediately attracted to the shamrocks. I'm always trying to find ways to challenge her, so I cut the necklace and dangled it on her playgym. The shamrock was on the bottom tip of the necklace. I knew she wanted the shamrock badly... so I just sat and watched her. She knew it was too unstable to climb down the necklace... and after a few minutes, she realized she can pull the necklace up to her. She would use her beak and pull up the necklace, hold it with her foot, drop her head down and pull up the necklace again. After 5 pulls... the shamrock was all hers!!! (and very well-deserved!) Please share your... "OMG my baby is a genius moments" :woohoo:<br><br>Post edited by: rjhammy, at: 2009/03/22 09:16

Thanks Judy. I'm sure Ash's beak is just fine. This was more to prepare myself. I wanted to see what it looks like so I can recognize it. {Characters-0002005F}

Hi... I'm just curious if anyone has a picture of an overgrown beak for an African Grey. I tried searching the web without a definitive answer. Thanks!

Thanks everyone!! I just called them... they don't ship or take internet orders. They have a website, but it doesn't have very much information. If you're in the Los Angeles area... you can check out Pampered Birds. 3183 Glendale Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90039. 323-662-7807

I found a local avian store about 20 miles from my house. I couldn't resist and took a trip there this weekend. They make most of their own toys... which means it cuts out the middleman mark up. In my opinion, the best deal was an atom for $10!! I also got a boing for $12!! I wore the orbit around my neck for about 2 hours when I got home. I think it was driving Ash nuts that I had a new "necklace" that she couldn't play with. I hung it on her tree... and voila!! Ash... Atom. Atom... Ash. Ash showing off... Ash being obnoxious... but freakin' cute. In case you can't tell... I'm a very proud mama. :silly:

I love this post!! Suzzique wrote: Does anyone know what was used to cover the PVC pipes? I have sisel rope for one of my perches, but I love the colors! Also... just to add in this awesome post... Here's Ash in her "tree"

My boyfriend wanted to name her "Smokes" because she looked like smoke. I argued that with her bright red tail, she looked more like a cigarette ash than smoke. And if you can imagine in cartoon fashion... a light bulb flashed over our heads... And we both instantly agreed on Ash.

We used manzanita for the perch. We found a place that sells bundles of manzanita. Our bundle cost about $100. From that... we were able to build the large play tree, a medium stand and a small stand... with three large branches left over for future use.

Hi All! Ash is our 5-month old CAG. My boyfriend and I spent the whole weekend building a play gym. She LOVED it for the first two weeks. She climbed to every branch, hung off every toy and found every hidden treat. For the past week, she only sits on the top perch and chirps. She won't play like she used to. She just sits on the top. Any suggestions? I tried putting her on different areas, and she climbs to the top. My boyfriend and I would "hang" on lower branches and play with toys and she still stays on the top. Here's a picture of her on the tree... <br><br>Post edited by: rjhammy, at: 2009/03/12 19:33