rbpittman

Stephen, it's so wonderful to read your posts. Keep up with the showers - that's the best thing you can do for Isaac. Beau loves his, but Dixie won't have anything to do with them without protesting to the heavens. She will now get into a water bowl to bathe. Even if Isaac doesn't get soaked daily the humidity from your shower is of great benefit to him. I want pictures of the atom and Isaac! Robin

LP is very reluctant to let Sterling go, but he also knows that he is strapped for time to do the things he wants to do and to take care of Sterling. He knows that the best thing for him and Sterling is to let Sterling go and has agreed to do so. I think he's afraid of feeling like a failure if he does and that he's done Sterling an injustice by keeping him and now rehoming him. Dave, yes we are very lucky in the fact that my aunt wants Sterling. I don't know how we have been so lucky as to be in this situation. If my aunt didn't have the experience I wouldn't consider it. Robin

Ok, so I wasn't the best parront on February 22 - my dad had just undergone having a pacemaker put in and with school and kids and fids, posting her birthday got left off the list. Anyhow, Dixie turned 2 on 2/22 and is the greatest thing next to sliced bread. She continues to amaze me every day and I love her more and more with each passing minute. Even when she's not on her best behavior. Robin

We have a dilemma and are not sure what to do about it. As you know we have Sterling our 12 1/2 year old U2 that we took in last July. My son, LP, is the primary caregiver and companion to Sterling and this is what we have wanted. Sterling and LP get along great, in fact, LP can do much more with Sterling than I ever thought could happen. He has taught him to lay in his arms like a baby, to lay out in his hands and hang his head down, to "freeze" when he say's "stick-em-up" with his wings spread out. Sterling takes his showers with LP daily. They eat breakfast together and then LP goes to school. LP spends as much time as he can with Sterling after school (every weekday except Monday) from 4-8 and almost all day on the weekends. Unfortunately, my 13 year old is growing up and his schedule is becoming more and more hectic than we had anticipated. LP has decided against spring baseball because of responsibilities to Scouts and Band. He's involved with the middle school and high school (he's in 8th grade) concert bands. He's at a BSA national leadership training camp this weekend and will be gone again in two weeks for the follow up training. Last weekend we were in Myrtle Beach for Region Band. We've just gone through the rigors of registering for high school and due to his grades and test scores he's going to be taking all honors classes in the fall. He will also be marching for the band again and possibly looking at going to governor's school during his 10th grade year. The summer doesn't allow any additional time for LP. With summer camp coming up he was asked to be on staff at the local Boy Scout Camp (6 weeks) and then marching band practice will start in earnest. Not to mention the monthly camp outs with the Scouts and just being a boy. LP has expressed a concern about being able to handle these responsibilities and taking care of Sterling. I do pick up the slack when LP is gone or busy with homework, but I have to limit what I do with Sterling as he becomes overly possessive of me - to the point of nipping LP if he comes near me and Sterling is on my chair or within a few feet of me. The other problem is that Sterling hates CAG's. We don't know why, but this was something that was evident from day one when we Sterling came home. Dixie has now regained her flight ability and yesterday brought all of this to the forefront. Dixie flew from my office into the living room where Sterling lives. Of course, his cage was an extreme curiosity for her. No one got hurt, or near each other for that matter, but opened my eyes a good bit. My aunt (closer to my age than my dad's) has offered on numerous occasions to "take Sterling off our hands." She was angry with me when I didn't call her to tell her about Sterling immediately, and that I kept him for LP, but at the time I didn't know she was ready for another bird. She is well versed in the care of birds and the time it takes to care for them. I've never considered her offers serious until she said something to my dad, would I be doing Sterling a disservice if I "let him go live with her" while LP's schedule continues to get busier and busier? We have done everything in our power to make sure Sterling was happy and healthy. He went to the vet the same day he came home. He has beautiful full feathers and LP preens him daily - a must it seems. My aunt has promised to give Sterling the same care and love, and I know he would actually get more out of cage time (only 6 hours here daily) and more attention than what LP can give him. I hate the idea that we've taken him in only to re-home. What to do? Robin

My greys are in my office and as a rule of family, I am not out there past 7:30 pm. This makes it very easy to have a strict bed-time for all of my babies who's cages are in my office (4 of them). I do not cover them however as I turn off the television, all the lights are out and my office is on the opposite end of the house from the rest of the family comings and goings. I may have to come up with something different for the summer and my office windows. Sterling's cage (U2) is in the living room however, and we do cover him at night promptly at 8:00. This schedule works year round for us, especially since the summer months leave us with light until 9:00 pm. I think you have to look at the amount of sleep your bird is getting and how much stimulation is interrupting that sleep. Robin

Have one other suggestion that was given to me since I'll be tackling the same job here soon - put plastic up over the doors in an overlapped fashion (otherside of the door frame) and this will help keep odors out. My hardwood floors are due for a new finish as soon as the weather starts cooperating and I can open windows. To keep the dust out of my office from the stripping when done a few years ago I put this plastic up to protect the computer equipment and found it a great haven to work and be away from the fumes while the varnish dried. Throw open those windows, put the fan in the window to exhaust the fumes and wait at least the 10 days to let Harvey back into his room! P.S. - what color? Robin

Kinda hard to tell without her/him next to a known male. Very obvious between my boy Beau and my girl Dixie. Hope you get the results you want, but I know you'll love her/him just the same no matter what the results. Robin

Been there - done that - this week to be exact! Just did get to feeling human again yesterday, and I didn't leave the bedroom. Called my mom Monday morning and said - please come feed my birds. She knew I was sick. Around here they are calling it the Norovirus and I've done everything in my power to survive it - did have to go to school on Tuesday to take a test - almost killed me. Hope you feel better, it will pass, along with everything you ingest. Robin

Dixie is definitely starting into the terrible two's stage along with gaining her flight! She's decided that she likes to hang upside down and bite on my thumb - just hard enough for me to know she's there. I gently take the back of my left hand and push her beak back and she quickly lets go. She does try to bite at the back of my hand, but of course cannot get any skin in her beak. This has been going on for about a month now, so we're just in the beginning of this stage. When she rights herself on my hand, she's back to normal, giving kisses; it's like she's testing to see how much she can get by with. Typical two year old.

Welcome back! I know how happy you are to be back with both your husband and your baby (Yoshi). I went away for 3 days and could hardly stand it - don't know about 3 weeks. Glad everything is still the same with Yoshi! Robin

That is exactly the pak-o-bird that I want for taking the birds on short trips in the car. It looks to be made of excellent quality and from what I've read on this forum from other members it's a great carrier. I had to choose between something that would last for a few days if necessary (hurricanes). Living in Charleston we're always under threat it seems during the season. Saving my penny's for 2 of them for the greys and then 2 more (2 suns and 1 u2). So many toys, so little money! Robin

These carriers are from Kings Cages - they come apart quickly and pack flat for storage. The carrier itself has a pan that can be lined with paper for easy clean up and is separate from the interior by the bottom grate. The food dishes come out for easy cleaning and the doors open for each dish separately. I would still like to get a Pack-o-Bird to carry Beau or Dixie with me on short outings as the other carrier is much to bulky for quick trips. In the meantime, the harness is our way to go out and about on walks. Robin

I have now purchased 2 of these carriers - mainly for vet visits - but since I live in an area prone to hurricanes I wanted a carrier that would serve as a potential home for a few days if necessary. When the weather becomes more nicer and we get back to camping on the weekends I plan on using them on those weekends as well as taking the t-stands with us. Beau is doing very well on his harness and I've started taking him with me to pick up LP from school, he sits on the built in bird perch in my VW beetle, but since it's only a mile and a half drive and the speed limit never gets over 25 I'm comfortable - anything outside of this drive I would make sure he's in a carrier, again because you never know what is going to happen. Dixie is working on the harness. We've had a little success lately in that she will let me drape it over her without her biting at it. Trips are important and safety is imperative.

When I went looking for a grey the shop had 4 of them - 3 males about 4 months old and Dixie who was 14 months old. The shop owner showed all 4 of them too me, but only Dixie seemed interested in me. The boys just kinda sat there, no interaction or interest when I talked to them. Dixie was quick to respond with kisses and seemed to "be interested" in what I was saying to her. At the same time there was another customer in the store looking for a grey and when she walked near Dixie's cage, Dixie would move back away from the door, off her perch, almost like she was cowering in the corner to not be seen. When I was near her cage she was ready to come out and be with me. That was it, she chose me. We've been happy ever since and I wouldn't trade her for the world, she's so grown up and independent now (she just turned 2) and learning to fly again, but she still exhibits the need to be on or near me everyday. Beau was another story, but it's a story that ends more along the lines of he needed me as much as I needed him. Robin

Congrats Stephan on Isaac's adventure and getting the harness on him. I haven't mastered this with Dixie as yet - too cold to go outside and just walking through the house isn't much of an adventure...lol. It was almost 70 here yesterday so if today gets as nice we may venture a trip. Don't you just love waded up paper? Try a roll of adding machine tape - those are loads of fun! (tip: run a pice of leather or rope through the center of the roll, hang it up in the cage)

I live in a busy household of 4 and this was thought about long before Dixie started flying. I had decided from day 1 that I would never clip her wings again (she came to me clipped) and my husband and I took all precautions at that time we could think of to prevent potential escape routes. All windows have either shades or curtains and all have exterior screens. Living in the south we have about one month twice a year that we can actually open those windows to let in fresh air. All exterior doors have storm doors. I have installed a screen door on my office in place of the solid door. This allows me to close the screen and leave Dixie, Beau, Blue and Bean out of their cages. I've installed a sign at the front door that simply states "Birds out of cages - I must secure before answering the front door." The precautions are simply those precautions and we all understand that it is our responsibility to make sure that we do the right thing before opening a door. I appreciate the suggestion of having pre-made posters and flyers on the computer for speed in recovery should the need arise. Janet, thanks for the timely thread and reminding us that we need to check/inspect/or repair our improvements that are in place to protect our babies. Robin

Don't know about how moist and tender it makes the bird - I prefer butter on my turkeys when roasting them. On a more serious note - I've been applying the olive oil on both Beau's and Dixie's beaks for the last few days and it seems we've started something they both like very much.......until I take my hands away, then it's my shoulder Dixie wants to rub her beak al over...I guess she loves me...lol ... sharing her olive oil. We have vet appointments next week - Dixie's annual and Beau's follow-up - I can imagine that trip is going to be fun. I'm sure he's going to be impressed with Beau's feather progress although he has chewed one of the new flights off. It may have been damaged, with no other flights to protect the new feathers they are more prone to being damaged than normally and is something we have to look out for. Beau still has additional flights coming in, they are so beautiful and dark grey, almost black in color, and he's doing an excellent job of not chewing on them. I hope we have passed that terrible time in his life, but at this time, we are still living in the moment and keeping wonderful thoughts!

I started a ritual with Dixie when I brought her home - something that was recommended by my vet and I still use it every day. At the same time of the day - no matter what day, how long I've been home, or they've been out - it is nap time. This is about 30 minutes before I have to pick up my son. Some days they are only out for about an hour before I have to leave again. I do this even on days when I don't have to leave, and I stay in the room with them. I always use the same words - "it's nap time" and the always find something special put into their bowls as I prepare to leave. Dixie now rushes to her bowl to find fresh veggies that weren't there at breakfast or an almond or two, maybe a few pine nuts. Dixie was never a problem with going in, but we've reinforced her cage as her sanctuary. Beau was a different story - but same routine - one of his favorite treats, fresh veggies, something he didn't have at breakfast and he's no longer climbing up my arm, instead he heads to his bowl. By establishing this ritual, they have understood that when they go back into their cage it's not forever, I will be back or they will get to come out soon and their home is their place to hang out and be happy while I'm busy doing other things. Routine helps to establish trust, trust is part of their routine - they walk hand in hand together. Robin

Wonderful video of Emma eating her beans and veggies. She's such a lovely little lady! Robin

Having brought Beau home still on two feedings a day I wouldn't recommend bringing home an unweaned baby to an inexperienced owner. I had sufficient training, hands on with the shop owner he came from for more than a week. Unfortunately Beau's illness were caused by handfeeding - from an experienced person. Beau's crop was burned from handfeeding and the resulting effects were infection, plucking, over $1,500 in vet bills, not to mention the amount of time and energy put into keeping him alive. His weight was difficult to maintain until the injury healed, weaning to pellets was exhaustive. The emotional affects on Beau caused the increased time on formula. I brought him home unweaned because it was the right thing for Beau, one on one attention, better vet, and the ability to keep him out of his cage to prevent additional plucking. That was October, it is now February and he's just now getting all of his feathers back in on his chest, his right wing was destroyed due to his plucking and a few flights are coming back in. This doesn't mean the same thing would happen to anyone else's bird, but this is the experience with a handfeeding gone wrong with mine. I would do it again with Beau in a heartbeat, but I would never endeavor to bring home a baby that wasn't properly weaned by an experienced breeder if I weren't an expert on the subject myself. Robin

I have found several of these in the bags I've found of store mix. I also found them used in several recipes on line. Dixie doesn't care for them but your grey may. Enjoy! Robin

Dixie has a love of chewing leather pieces, so I bought a roll of untanned leather lacing, a dowel rod and drilled holes in it, ran the lacing through it, tied it into a million knots and she is still trying to untie them all - think it cost me $5.00. I have several dog choke chains that I use to hang the toys on that I've made and use only vegetable (food safe) dyes to color pieces of untreated pine, oak and ash for her and Beau. Beau's favorite thing to destroy that isn't a bird toy - erasers. I had several "pink pearl" erasers on my desk and before I realized what he was doing I had several piles of "pink pearl" eraser bits. I've wondered if he wouldn't like chewing on an unflavored nyla bone but haven't been able to find out if it is bird safe. Great pics by the way. Robin

Jill, love the Java tree you have there - now I want one...don't even want to know the costs. I knew Harvey would be in true Harvey spirit and take to the new toy with great ease and cheerful abandon. So truly great to hear he christened the new toy with such great enthusiasm. Fabulous job on making Harvey a happy little camper!

I do allow my greys on my shoulders, however, it is only done while I'm sitting down, never while walking from one room to another, while I'm doing something else like folding clothes or cooking. The biggest reason for this exception is that I can control my own movements much better and am truly more in tune with the body language of my grey. Dixie loves to sit on my shoulder and is perfectly content with not messing with my earrings, hair, ears, glasses, etc. Beau on the other hand requires that I take all of the above (except the ears) off. Dixie enjoys this privilege much more often than does Beau (he's learning...lol). Both greys know that sitting on mom's shoulder is only done when she's sitting in front of the computer, otherwise they are on a playstand, their cage, on my hand, or one of the other numerous toys in the house.

Being that Beau and Dixie are both southern my first thought was castor oil after reading your comments Dave, but that was a cure my grandmother used for me and one I hated. We southerner's love olive oil so olive oil it will be! Thanks for the tip, I'm sure Beau will love it and I have plenty in the pantry! Thanks everyone, it has been a labor of love, one I would gladly do all over again, I never knew the joy of cuddles from a baby grey so I have been rewarded more than ever thought or expected. The feathers coming back in and his personality are just icing on the cake. Robin