Kili

Thanks everyone for your input. My new baby is a CAG and I think I will have it DNA tested. I guess one of the reasons I'm thinking of letting a breeder finish weaning is that I recently had rescued a wild baby bird. I managed to keep it alive for a couple of weeks and then it died in my hand. So, that's made me a bit nervous. Also, I read in one of my books on greys that they bond with who weans them like your the mother and then when they're mature, they want to actually bond with someone else other than their mother. Does that make sense? It sounded logical to me. Anyway, I still have about a month to make up my mind. Mahalo for your help, Kili

Hi, I just wanted to introduce myself. I currently have a sun conure, but I finally found a baby AG! I'm thrilled. The baby was born on May 13. I'll get my baby sometime in July. I have to fly over to Oahu to pick up the baby and then I'll take it over to a breeder I know on the Big Island to finish weaning him. I haven't dealt with weaning a baby before and I just think it would be better. Does anyone have any thoughts about this? I'll be able to visit on weekends some. Although the breeder is a couple of hours away, so I know I won't make it every weekend. When he's fully weaned around November, I'll get him. I also will have three weeks off in December to spend with my new baby. Does this seem like a good plan, or should I just try to wean the baby myself? Thanks for any suggestions. Kili

I won't be getting my grey for a few months, but I've been looking at cages. My problem is I live in Hawaii and most places won't ship to Hawaii. I found someone that will sell a 41" x 25-3/4" x 52" high cage here on the big island. I had been reading that greys can feel lost in a really big cage. Does anyone find that to be true? I just want my baby to be comfortable. The cage will be in the living room so my grey will be where all the action is. Also, he/she will be out of the cage a good part of the day. I also have a playstand that my conure uses. Of course, I won't have them on the playstand at the same time. Do you think this cage would be okay or should I look for something a little bit smaller? Thanks for any help.

This thread has been very informative. I'm volunteering at a parrot rescue and have hopes of adopting a grey at some point. I'm still keeping the option open of getting a baby, also. I feel that if I meet a grey at the rescue center that I have a connection with, then I will do everything possible to give he/she a wonderful new home. I'm really wanting to find my grey before Christmas this year. I teach year round and I get 3 weeks off at Christmas. Whether I get a baby or an older rehomed grey, I want to have the full 3 weeks to spend with my new friend so that he/she can begin to feel at home. My family is very aware of the amount of work that goes into caring for a parrot and we're all committed to adding another to our home. We have a sun conure, 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 guinea pigs (they stay at school) and 2 red foot tortoises. I have to admit that I have mixed feelings about which to get. Part of me wants to be the first parront and experience all the growth and change and part of me wants to help a grey that has lost its home and is in need of finding love, trust and security with a family. Whichever I get, I believe the members of this forum will be able to give me constructive advice and I truly appreciate that.

I don't have a CAG yet, but I'm reading everything I can, so that I can care for him/her the best that I can. I have a sun conure that was clipped when I got her and she hasn't started to grow her flight feathers back yet, so it hasn't been a decision I've had to make. My problem with allowing her to fly or my grey when I get one is that I live in Hawaii and the back of our house is left open all the time. We don't close doors to the lanai because it's on the second floor and we need the ocean breezes. Also every room including our closests have ceiling fans. That alone scares me. My conure is only in her cage for sleeping and if I can't take her with me somewhere. I'm a teacher and she goes with me to school every day. She also goes with me nearly everywhere except the beach. Grocery stores and other places haven't had a problem with her being on my shoulder. She seems very happy. My husband works from home, so I thought when I do get my grey that we would alternate who goes to work with me and who stays with him. I also have two dogs and 2 cats. The animals all get along well, but I know the cats would get her if I wasn't watching. So, I guess my question is, how would it be possible to allow my birds to fly and not have them get lost? I would really love to allow flight, I'm just really concerned about how I could keep them safe. Any ideas? Mahalo Kili