JillyBeanz

Yes - I cover Harvey (fully)! We call it his "nightie"!!

I can't remember Harvey looking like that (and it wasn't too long ago!). Thanks for these - Sephora is beautiful - and a gorgeous name too

Well, today I experimented! On his playstand I gave him a bowl of pellets and seeds for a bit - then swapped after a while and gave him veggies - he chomped up the broccoli like nobody's business! I've never seen him so interested in anything that wasn't a sunflower seed! I think I'll do this and put them in separate bowls to see what happens - his cage has got three bowls (one obviously that I put water in) so for the short amount of time he spends in it - I'll give this a go! Thanks very much

When I collected Harvey from the breeder he sold these sleep tent things - I enquired whether to buy one and he told me that greys don't go for them much and it is more the smaller birds who will snuggle down.

I've started buying scented nappy bags to put the waste in because the fresh food in the bin in the kitchen was smelling - you don't actually realise the true amount of waste until it's there, in a little bag sitting on your bench top! The kids wouldn't leave the dinner table with that amount on their plates in this house!!

It's the old Aesop's Fable that Cambridge University recently demonstrated - I think personally it's all training - the rook was in a cage and the "trainer" gave the bird the stones to the rook to get the water level up so the it could get the worm. I really think it was "paper talk" that they were the smartest birds in the world. Watch this link and see what you think - but this wasn't any wild bird - it's clearly trained! http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/article6753086.ece Anyway - how can they work out a bird's IQ - have you seen those Mensa tests - how do they hold the pen?

Let me explain first - when we collected Harvey we were told to mix the pellets, seed mix and veg together. This I have done for the last few months. I fee though that pellets go soggy and to get to the seeds he'll just turf out the veggies to get there. So, I've tried a different tact - I have given him seed and pellets first and then added veg later (this is all on his playstand, not in his cage). This works well when we're at home - but what about when he's in his cage when we're at work? Would it be okay to put veg in one dish and pellet/seed mix in another? I'd be very grateful for your ideas - I obviously want Harvey to receive all of the goodness/vitamins/tastiness he can - but really want to know how best to "serve" them to him. Thanks in advance.

Really interesting read Dave - and obviously UV is so beneficial. Thank you very much for this. My only problem is that Harvey is hardly ever in his cage - how could I introduce UV lighting when he's all over the house (accompanied of course) - also how much of it does he need? I do use D3 supplementation, along with a healthy and varied diet - but would obviously do anything that would aid further. Thanks in advance. Jill x

Thanks Bernie - scientific evidence at last - you are my hero!!!! :laugh:

I dream all the time about Harvey - it's so weird (I honestly do have other things in my life). They've never been as bad as this one though! I thoroughly agree with Dan about not worrying so much about the children - they learn the way, they learn their own mistakes and in the end, hopefully, they turn out alright. This feathered friend in our midst relies on us COMPLETELY and if we fail, then so do they. This is probably why they are on our minds all of the time. Try a stiff drink before bed (whoops, I'm off again) and I hope you get a better sleep tonight xx

Ha Ha - the birds look at ease - but I'm not sure about you!!!! :laugh: Argyle looks very comfortable - stopping for a little clean! Beau's just up the top there saying "yip, I'm the daddy"!!!! Great pictures Julie - lovely to see they could get along!!

That's soooo cute! You can buy these basket ball set ups - they are so expensive!! Thanks for this video - I can nearly work out the rules!!

I get the little frozen fillets and microwave them - Harvey loves.....to fling it on the floor!!

It's really good that you are thinking about this situation. There's too many greys in the classified ads where their owners thought it would be a good idea - but then realised that they didn't have the time or energy to bring them up. My life has dramatically changed in the five months since we've had Harvey (this really feels like a lifetime!) and yours would have to too. He takes up ALL of my "spare" time - usually to the detriment of my husband and kids! Good on you for reconsidering - one day a grey may fit into your lifestyle - and it mightn't be too far away.

So, another F.A.R.T meeting over - hope all enjoyed their "throat ointment" - but have no fear - it's Saturday now - we can have some more!!!! :laugh:

Crows are predators to other birds - they kill sparrows, blackbirds and even red tailed hawks. They will have been circling ready to attack - in these circumstances - get out of the way into safety! I presume that your doors and windows are closed - they couldn't get into your house? We have magpies and they have become vermin - I have to watch out when we are in the garden for these - they attack and have no fear either.

Harvey never gets "the drench" either - although he's just had a shower and been quite obliging and has lifted his wings (with my help!) to spray under them. He's only 8 months old though, so I feel that he's great for sitting there and letting me spray him anyway in the shower. I knew about the preening gland - if you catch them just after they've rubbed their beaks look just like they did when they were a baby - lovely and smooth and black (without the added dust and scratches!!)

An ode to Davey: Alfie is a parrot, his owner, Daveyj I love to read his poems though my dull and boring day Davey is our laureate, poetry is his game and it is his love of Alfie that’s brought him praise and fame. You’ll see him writing rhymes about a forum member It may be June, may be July – may even be September! He really has the time of day for all his parrot mates From over here in England, to the United States. We really have just missed him, he hasn’t been around too much But best of all, he’s back on here and now we’re back in touch! This is my only offering, I won’t be rhyming more I’m scared I’ll have old Davey, come knocking at my door!! To end this little story and help you at this part You need to change from this old room and get over now to F.A.R.T! I thank you! :laugh:

You've missed him too Sheila - me and Judy had the TREAT of our lives - one each! :woohoo:

Sorry Caroline - snooze and you lose! The stripper(s) - oh yeah, more than one, have been and gone! You should have seen them......! :laugh: A cider drinker - now that's a new one - nobody's owned up that before!!!! :laugh: Make sure that ice is loaded in the glass!!

We're sorry we paint the picture that our Greys are hard work.......but they are!!! :laugh: Unless you are asleep you will not get one minute's peace and quiet. You are doing a great job in research before you buy - well done for that - too many people think they are talkative birdies who sit in cages WRONG! I too had a cockatiel - and I must say - give me 20 cockatiels and I'd get more "me time" than one of Harvey (who incidentally is trying to chew the telephone as I type)! Good luck and I look forward to your updates.

Ha Ha - grandson and Josey - and they wonder why we have problems!!!! :laugh:

Steve - you have to find that video!! I sit and wish my life away hoping Harvey will speak - I read everyone's posts about what their parrots say (and how young!!) but Harvey just grumbles - fingers crossed he'll be one of the ones that talk - I'll still love him if he doesn't - I had a cockatiel for 17 years that wasn't even tame (I adopted it and it never let me touch it) - but loved him and cared for him until that dreadful day in January this year

Yet another lovely offering Davey! I just feel sad that nobody's written one about you - well, it won't be up to much against yours - but I'm up for the challenge!!! :laugh:

He is so beautiful - he looks like an absolutely different bird. He looks happy, healthy and cheeky! He is so lucky you came along.