A Happy note...        (Facebook)

HEhehe

Good suggestions...

To stir up some trouble and thought...lol...this is my opinion and reasons for it. NO ONE has to agree with this....

I had planned to offer a number of post to this thread, but I'll finish with this one...

What ever we feed our fids outside the norm we must do so with Moderation in mind...This leads us to Accumulation, THIS is the Killer... OUR fids cannot remove certain mineral and nutrition's from their system, Salt for example, and other overdoses...Yes we overdose our fids. Using a previous post, sugar or supplier of sugar was mentioned nine times in daily foods! The problem lies in the fact we don't take into the amount of sugar for example or salt that is in the both good foods and bad foods we feed our fids..

It isn't the occasional chip or white potato etc we feed them, but the "Accumulation"
  of every thing we feed them!!!

The same thing goe's for Fats (fatty Acids) We must reduce Saturated fats to a minimum...

In summary, check out how much sugar is in peas, corn, potatoes, bread etc...How about Saturated fats, Pellets, sunflower seeds, chips, etc.

The largest killer of our fids is: Advertising!!!  Complete, contains, Vet recommended, Everything your bird need!!!!!

What our FIDS really need is for us, their caretaker to learn how to read and research.....Thank you  Jayd

Greetings.. Here's 2 sites that should be able to answer your concerns...

https://www.birdmites.org/forum.html

https://pets.thenest.com/pet-birds-carry-mites-lice-affect-humans-12972.html

To stir up some trouble and thought...lol...this is my opinion and reasons for it. NO ONE has to agree with this.... 

Pellets: 😜 I have researched the agricultural history of pellet trees, I have contacted the Department of Agriculture in the Congo, I have checked with tourists who have gone on safaris in the Congo, and the elusive Pellet Tree or Bush remains a secret....

Okay, pellets....why do I use these as a secondary treat, not a main meal? For example: directly from Harrison's...their ingredients:

HARRISON’S INGREDIENT LISTINGS

HIGH POTENCY COARSE
*Sunflower Kernels, *Hull-less Barley, *Soybeans, *Peas, *Peanut Kernels, *Lentils, *Corn, *Brown Rice, *Toasted Oat Groats, *Alfalfa, *Psyllium, Calcium Carbonate, Bentonite, Mixed Tocopherols (source of Vitamin E), *Sea Kelp, Salt, *Algae Meal, Vitamin/Mineral Supplement (Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Niacin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Carbonate and *Sunflower Oil)
*CERTIFIED ORGANIC INGREDIENT
Guaranteed Analysis: Crude protein (min.) 18%, crude fat (min.) 15%, crude fiber (max.) 6.5%, moisture (max.) 10%.

HIGH POTENCY FINE
*Hulled Gray Millet, *Hull-less Barley, *Corn, *Toasted Soybeans, *Peanut Kernels, *Sunflower Kernels, *Peas, *Lentils, *Toasted Oat Groats, *Brown Rice, *Chia, *Alfalfa, Calcium Carbonate, Bentonite, Mixed Tocopherols (source of Vitamin E), *Sea Kelp, Salt, *Algae Meal, Vitamin/Mineral Supplement (Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Niacin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Carbonate and *Sunflower Oil)
*CERTIFIED ORGANIC INGREDIENT
Guaranteed Analysis: Crude protein (min.) 20%, crude fat (min.) 12%, crude fiber (max.) 5%, moisture (max.) 10%.

HIGH POTENCY SUPER FINE
*Hulled Gray Millet, *Hull-less Barley, *Corn, *Toasted Soybeans, *Peanut Kernels, *Sunflower Kernels, *Peas, *Lentils, *Toasted Oat Groats, *Brown Rice, *Chia, *Alfalfa, Calcium Carbonate, Bentonite, Mixed Tocopherals (a source of Vitamin E), *Sea Kelp, Salt, *Algae Meal, Vitamin/Mineral Supplement (Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Niacin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Carbonate and *Sunflower Oil).
*CERTIFIED ORGANIC INGREDIENT
Guaranteed Analysis: Crude protein (min.) 20%, crude fat (min.) 12%, crude fiber (max.) 5%, moisture (max.) 10%.

HIGH POTENCY MASH
*Sunflower Kernels, *Hull-less Barley, Rolled; *Toasted Soybeans, *Hulled Gray Millet, *Lentils, Rolled; *Peas, Rolled; *Peanut Kernels, *Brown Rice, Rolled; *Corn, Rolled; Toasted Oat Groats *Chia, *Sesame Seed, *Alfalfa, Monocalcium Phosphate, *Algae Meal, Calcium Carbonate, Bentonite, *Sea Kelp, Salt, Mixed Tocopherals (a source of Vitamin E), Vitamin/Mineral Supplement (Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Niacin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Carbonate and *Sunflower Oil), *Anise Seed. *CERTIFIED ORGANIC INGREDIENT
Guaranteed Analysis: Crude protein (min.)20%, crude fat (min.) 14%, crude fiber (max.) 8%, moisture (max.) 10%.

What do you see as the main ingredients? Sunflower seeds, or millet, soybeans, peanuts, and they all contain salt...These are ingredients we tend to not feed our fids except as occasional treats. All the vitamins and minerals are added and then destroyed by the heating process. Other than Top's Pellets, most of the other pellets are worse. It is far better (in my opinion), to use a more natural diet and to use pellets in birdie bread

To stir up some trouble and thought...lol...this is my opinion and reasons for it. NO ONE has to agree with this....

Red palm oil: hehehe....my red hype. It has the highest saturated fats of all the oils, including coconut oil. It's expensive and hard to find, and 8 out of 10 Greys don't like it.

Elaeis guineensis African red palm oil It is native to west and southwest Africa, specifically the area between Angola and the Gambia. The species is also now naturalised in Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Central America, the West Indies.

The palm fields in Africa has that wonderful, magical soil that can be found nowhere else in the world. The soil in all the other countries where red palm is grown is different and the refined red palm oil is different. Most of the red palm fields have been destroyed by the burning of the fields.

Of the 13.6 grams of fat in a tablespoon of palm oil, 6.7 grams are saturated. For comparison, a tablespoon of canola oil only has 1 gram of saturated fat. The same amount of olive oil has 1.9 grams of saturated fat.

Palm oil is a good source of Vitamin E but canola oil has slightly more vitamin E per tablespoon.

So, to eliminate the problems, we can substitute canola oil and increase the Vitamin E in foods we feed our fids. You can buy canola based margarines or you can just drizzle canola oil the same way you would red palm oil. You can also flavor the canola oil with carrot juice, etc. So, my point is, I can use canola oil and save the cost and large amounts of saturated fats and the search and purchasing of African grade Red Palm Oil.

2 hours ago, Greytness said:

He needs to be touched; to feel touch, and this is how he's accomplishing it at this point in time.

Tomorrow I shall add another toy for him to explore.

May I say, I have watched you grow...your insight and wisdom is really gathering strength. Bless you!

EarLy on I became interested in parrot nutrition, I took class on it , researched it, spoke to countless parrot owners...I am passing on to you some of this info, It is only food for your thought, nothing more...

BEANS: Please note that large raw beans - such as Anasazi, Black, Fava, Kidney, Lima, Navy, Pinto, and Soy - can cause toxicities when fed raw, causing digestive upsets for people and potentially for birds. large beans should be cooked to make them safe and digestible. For those who do not want to take any risks, cook large beans thoroughly. Certain uncooked dried beans contain enzyme inhibitors, are indigestible , and may cause visceral gout in birds. These enzyme inhibitors may prevent or decrease the utilization in the body of substances, such as trypsin and chymotrypsin, to produce nutritional deficiencies. Beans that can interfere with proteolytic enzymes are lima, kidney and soybeans. Cooking these beans for at least 2 hours destroys these enzyme inhibitors. Other dried beans do not appear to contain these enzyme inhibitors. 

Shortly, I'll make a large post

We really have to research what we feed our fids and in what combination. A short example, we never salt our fid's foods. But, chard and spinach are loaded with salt so should be fed at a minimum. One of my favorite, garbanzo or chickpeas, bond certain enzymes depleting them from the fid's system. A favorite, red palm oil, is the largest source of artery blocking food sources on the market extreme high cholesterol. I've  always called it the "Red Hype"....I'LL go into that later hehehehe....

Greetings....you could have all males along with the cockatiels, we had Amazons, Macaws, 'Keets, Cockatoos, Grass Parakeets, Conures, Ringnecks, a Hawk-head, at the same time....lol You can also check

Choose wisely for your forever Fid...Some parrots don't like to be separated for more than a few hours. Others, you can take a 3  week vacation and they won't be upset.

Thank you, Jayd

Nada, nyet, no

What ever decision you make will be the right one for the present conditions...

We have been giving are fid's theses for years,,,,,

sweet potato dog treats

Barkz Jerkies - Single-Ingredient Chews for Dogs - Healthy Dog Treats - No Fillers, Additives or Preservatives

Amazon.....https://www.amazon.com/Barkz-Jerkies-Just-Sweet-Potato/dp/B01MSAVIO8/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1531064966&sr=1-2-spons&keywords=sweet+potato+dog+treats&psc=1

Your a good parront..This is a question I've seen go both ways my friend, it's one only you can make...

Your best bet would be to check our archives....I also left a bookmark that might help. Thank you for coming aboard the forum. Jayd

http://theworldofafricangreys.weebly.com/behavior--body-language.html

7 hours ago, SRSeedBurners said:

 alternatives to Haliperidol.  

 Haliperidol is very very bad, it must be with-drawn very slowly..

Once a parrot learns that it's own pain relieving brain chemicals also relieves anxiety, the parrot becomes addicted to self-mutilation. Boredom is one of the emotional causes of parrot biting feet. Safe aids such as  Avicalm, Herbal Relaxation Formula or simply brewing up some Chamomile Tea. The irritation caused by the infections is one of the main reasons why parrots excessively bite their feet as a reaction to the irritation. Other causes include diets low in Vitamin A & E, excessive use of grooming perches, lack of exercise, and exposure to cigarette smoke. You can try, Collar for birds.  https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=collar+for+birds&tag=mh0b-20&index=aps&hvadid=78065376853724&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_8w3pajlicq_e

Bless you, how wonderful!! Jayd

In my heart of hearts, Tinkerbell shall always remain as will you my friend. Jayd

Hi everyone, Maggie here....Amazons are known for being great singers. There are numerous videos of hilarious and precious episodes of Amazons singing specific songs....some quite well and clearly understood.😄 Our Salsa loves to sing....however, repeating original songs is not her thing. She creates her own musical numbers and has one for different occasions.   She has a certain song she sings when she is preparing for a nap or bedtime. She has a specific number for times when she is happy. and one for morning revelry and sundown. But, it is her interpretations of different music that we play that brings out her creative bent...depending on the song, she will sing in her own harmony or her standard song that she sings whenever she hears music, whether it is a music channel or movie...LOL....What does YOUR Amazon sing?

Welcome and thank you! Gloves are definitely a no-no and there's a chance they will never accept them. Greys tend to pick out a human mate who can do no wrong and will tolerate others to some degree. Joe used to pick me when we first brought him home but he has switched to my wife Maggie who he will let do anything for him. I am now lucky if he lets me pet him. Greys are notoriously one person birds who tolerate others by basically ignoring them LOL....

Thinking back to ancient Greece, having a Grey now would be like having Plato as a roommate...A cooing sound is a sign of contentment and affection. Some Greys never shut up while others use words occasionally...Unfortunately, you cannot pick and choose...A funny fact: as Greys get older and they train you better, they learn how to abbreviate....Our Joe uses the phrase, "I want a good nut" to refer to anything he really likes, leaving us to guess, although Maggie has gotten pretty good at interpreting from the time of day, which treat he wants the most...LOL....

Suggestion about your wife, when Ruby is in her cage, have your wife sit near the cage, up to a couple of feet away when it is quiet, and have her read out loud to Ruby. It may take time but you must remember, Ruby can sense your wife's emotions and reacts accordingly. Your relationship is forever...

What a wonderful parront you are...😊 Keep doing what you are doing. A little story: Joey, our Grey of over a decade, is still changing...So, always be prepared for surprises😉 You will love them all...

Side note: If your baby was not fledged, (you will find out the first time she tries to fly and flops), you can always place cushions on the floor. Also, the first time they fly after being clipped, their landings are anything but graceful...So, when the wings grow back in, clear the counters and be prepared to run to another room where they are hanging from curtains, etc. where they landed....hehehe....Can you imagine having 16 cockatiels, all fledging at once? Boy, did feathers fly...no puns intended...LOL 😋

Welcome and thank you for the post and pictures. Your sweet bird is called a Red-factor Grey. This occurs naturally (genetically) and sometimes as they fall out, the replacement feathers will be grey. In extremely rare cases, it can be because of a medical condition.

May I suggest, realizing that some of the foods mentioned are your Fid's favorites, it is advised that you should only feed 100% whole grain bread a couple times a week. Fruit, again very little should be fed to a Grey...it's mostly sugar with no nutritional value, 2-3 times a week which is great.

White potatoes should be substituted with sweet potatoes. I am sure you know that they never can eat the "eyes" of a white potato. Eggs,  2-3 times a week is great. Suggestion, wash the egg before hard-boiling to reduce any chance of salmonella. Cut the egg in half, in the shell and serve the shell and all to your fid. You can even take the shell, after it is cooked and bake at 350 degrees and crumble over other fresh food.

Hard pasta such as spaghetti (uncooked) is good substitute for bread. Have you ever made birdie bread? Get a cornmeal muffin mix similar to Jiffy, add baby food jars, (I use two), three eggs, with cooked and smashed shells, and go crazy with your choices of bird seeds, frozen mixed veggies, etc. Use your imagination...and bake to instructions.

As a final thought, the food chain for a parrot is most to least, green leafy veggies, orange veggies, a safflower seed mix (staple), fruit, and bread. It's not the small amount of salt or sugar that can kill a parrot, it is the accumulation of such that will affect them in the long run.

Finally, a couple times of week, boiled chicken bones (Legs) with a little meat on them, no or low-sodium tuna, and our favorite, a 1/2 tsp. of low/no-sodium peanut butter to start the day...(an excellent seed mix to leave in the cage 24/7 is Volkman's Large Hookbill Safflower Mix, no sunflower seeds. Two excellent on-line sources are Chewy.com and Amazon)

Welcome! This is only a suggestion....assorted possibilities can be color of fingernail polish if worn, fragrance on hands from lotion, soap, gloves, etc. Thank you.