SuzyGS

Yes, this is the bird. I was reading about screaming the other day, and this expert was saying it could be cured in about two weeks. Can't remember which website, though. It seems like it would be a solvable problem, since the bird is still so young. If I were looking for a CAG, I'd probably buy him. I had a hard time getting info from her; she didn't answer most of my questions (I didn't know he was a CAG at the time). I think she must be very busy with her new job. She said her husband is at home and can't work anymore, so they are very stressed, I think.

I got a response on an ad that didn't seem to be a scam and a lady that has to go back to work is selling her 5 month old baby grey for $600, including a cage. It's a CAG (I'm looking for a TAG). Obviously there could be something wrong with the situation, but I thought I'd post this in case anyone was interested. She lives in Birmingham, Alabama. If anyone is interested, let me know and I'll post the details I know. Suzy

Hi, Judygram, This is my second grey. I lost the first one (a Congo) in a divorce many, years ago, and although I wanted another, I decided to wait until I got re-married, had kids, and the kids started being independent enough for me to have time for a grey. I'm finally there after all these years! I adore birds and have been "pining" for years. I have an wonderful Maltese who is quite old and not doing very well (5 different medications and special food to boot). She is happy but will not live a whole lot longer. Oh, and if my son's four tropical fish count, I guess I have 5 pets . Thanks for your advice on the websites. Avian Biotech has tons of breeders! Suzy

Thanks everyone, for giving me such a warm welcome! Suzy

Thanks again, everybody, for your thoughts and breeder references. I hope I don't have to have a bird shipped - I live in Alabama. The websites given looked VERY professional, though one didn't have TAG's. My closest (and slightly more expensive) breeder keeps the bird for an extra week after weaning, but estimated that August would probably work out. I did really like her from our phone conversation. She doesn't have a website. By the way, she feeds pellets, veggies and fruit, and very small amounts of nuts and seed. However, Breeder # 3 disagreed with the more pellet/limited seeds theory, although she was willing to feed pellets if I insisted. She claimed pellet companies are just trying to make money with their expensive product, and that natural (fresh) oils from seeds were important (along with veggies and fruit). I mentioned I'd recently read that African Greys diets should have less fat than originally thought due to (I think) heart disease (whatever Alex died of). Breeder #3 didn't like the new studies. I'm positive that the members here have well thought out opinions on this. I'll check the past forums. Do any of these comments point to one breeder over another, in your opinions? Thanks, Suzy

Thanks for the advice! I tend to agree with you about buying birds fully weaned. I have previously owned an CAG (long story), and I hand fed it for the last couple of weeks. Although nothing bad happened, I don't want to do it again, especially if it's not recommended. I have now talked to two breeders extensively and both thought 12 weeks was an average time it takes to wean (???). The third breeder I have available to me in this area hasn't specified, but her TAG's cost $50 and $100 more than the others, so it will be interesting to see how long she keeps the babies before selling... I'm loving this forum. Everyone is so generous with advice, and I really appreciate it! Suzy

I never knew what Abundance referred to. I'll ask both breeders about it! Thanks so much. Suzy

Thanks for your advice. I'm having a hard time finding a local breeder! If I get a good reference, and the breeder agrees to keep the bird 16 weeks, what would you think about that? Also, I'm going to see what the other breeder says about weaning. I just sent her an email asking about her Timnehs. Thanks again for replying so quickly! Suzy

Hi, I'm Suzy and new to this forum today. I don't have a Grey yet, but hope to get a TAG fairly soon. I registered early to ask a question.

Hi, I'm a new member to this forum. I am planning on getting a TAG and wondered if anyone could help with choosing a breeder. I've talked to two breeders in Alabama. Both were incredibly nice on the phone and spent a lot of time answering questions cheerfully. The one I talked to today says she prefers to sell weaned birds, but will allow a buyer to handfeed a little if I want to (I don't want to). This concerns me because I had read that was a no-no. Also, after reading some of the forum discussions, I'm not sure if she would be weaning too soon or not. The eggs are about to hatch or may have already hatched this week, and we discussed transferring the baby around the end of the first week in August (the date of this question is May 13, so the bird would be about 12 and a half weeks old). I asked for a reference from a former buyer of a Timneh, and she is calling one to ask if I can call them and speak to them about their experience and their TAG. Does anyone have any hints? Has anyone ever heard anything about Fins and Feathers in Birmingham, Alabama or DeeDee's Parrots in Arab, Alabama? Thanks in advance for any help you might offer. Suzy