rbpittman

Jan, sounds very much like what Beau and I have been going through. He now has 2 flight feathers coming in and hasn't chewed on them at all. Of course, he is confined to playing on the floor. It's been fun though, we're learning all sorts of new places to get into and what foraging on the ground is really like. I hope Tobie does just as well!

That wasn't a bath! That was a swim! Great pics and so glad Ana Grey enjoyed her water time. Dixie won't go near anything that luxurious - her water bowl is as close as she'll come to getting herself wet. Beau just stands there and lets me spray him, but he's a baby, what does he know. Sterling is the only one who enjoys a full shower...lol.

She has you trained well! She wants only to sit on your shoulder and by blocking you and not doing as you ask, you've accommodated her request. She's quick with the training...lol. As Jill said, gently push her off balance with your fingers just above her feet and she will step up. Remember to say step-up for her and praise her when you do. Training the owner is easier for a grey than the owner training the grey!

Dixie was in rare form for this late in the evening. She likes to sit on her swing and look at her reflection in the window tonight and going to town! Enjoy. edited by: rbpittman, at: 2009/12/05 01:51

I attend summer camp and winter camp with the Boy Scouts and while I hate the idea of being gone for more than a few hours from my grey's I have had to leave them to go with my son. Dixie has done very well with my mother coming over and feeding her and leaving her in the cage. Mom is not very comfortable with letting them out. Beau I will worry about more in a few weeks - but hubby will be home in the afternoons with him. From what I've seen with our visits to the vet/groomers they suffer more stress than staying at home confined to their cages. They won't expect to be out, you won't be there, but they will survive it.

By "monkey nuts" I'm assuming you mean peanuts. Why not try another type of nut instead. Most peanuts that are sold for birds are subject to a mold that can cause harm. Almonds, pine nuts, pecans are good options instead of the peanuts. My greys love to open the almonds and it's great exercise for them.

Since most dandelion greens are poisonous to humans (except for those who know exactly when to pick them) considering eating a plant you can't identify is dangerous. Jamal, I do hope you know that garlic and onions are a major no no for greys! I know you suggested that Bernie eat it, but there are many people who read these forums that may not know that they can kill a grey - especially if served uncooked. While the use of limited amounts of onion or garlic powders as flavorings is generally regarded as acceptable, excessive consumption of onions causes vomiting, diarrhea, and a host of other digestive problems. It has been found that prolonged exposure can lead to a blood condition called hemolytic anemia, which is followed by respiratory distress and eventual death.<br><br>Post edited by: rbpittman, at: 2009/11/30 20:37

fiona wrote: The only advice I could suggest is to add pellet food to his diet and convert him from seed. Most seed mixes are not sufficient enough to sustain a grey and while he is young is the best time to convert him to pellets. Along with that most seed mixes include sunflower seeds which are like candy to a grey. There are many types of pellets available, and just as many opinions as to which are the best. I personally use Harrison's for my greys, however my sun conure won't touch them and neither will my Umbrella Cockatoo (they eat Zupreem). If there is an imbalance the pellets may help to correct that. The rest of the behavior is very normal. In the wild greys do forage on the ground. You can use this behavior to introduce foraging to Bonkers. Hide some treats or a piece of his favorite food in some paper that's wadded up and let him find it. This will also help to teach him to entertain himself in his cage when it's time to be in his cage and not out with the rest of the family. Welcome to the Grey Forum family. -- Robin<br><br>Post edited by: rbpittman, at: 2009/11/30 20:25

"And your point is?"

Dixie loves to get scratches, but only when she wants them, and she actually asks for them - wanna scratch. If you stop too soon, she lets you know she's not done being scratched. Beau will let me scratch his head until he's featherless I believe, he just sits there and eventually goes to sleep.

Great Pics of Yoshi! Thanks for sharing!

Jan, so glad you found an Avian Vet who doesn't have such a distaste for Grey's. They are not all pluckers, according to my AV, there is something either physically wrong that started the behavior and it continued or there was an emotional problem that started the behavior. Stopping the behavior is the problem we all face if we have a Grey that plucks. I've been very lucky with Beau in knowing his was a physical issue that was also lead to an emotional issue and with the medications and the help of a behaviorist we have beautiful new flight feathers coming in on his right wing and a back and breast full with no further plucking. I hope you have the same success we are enjoying. I know your dilligence will help Tobie at least slow this problem.

Well, Beau won't touch the feathers that Dixie has molted all over the place, so the vacuum is still doing it's job, but I'm not finding pellets on the floor anymore. It's a very good exercise in foraging for Beau as I see it, and keeps me on my toes constantly looking for him. Dixie on the other hand has found quite a bit of delight at throwing things down to Beau. Not sure if she's trying to feed him or rain pellets on him like bombs...lol.

As you all know Beau has no feathers on his right wing, and obviously must be kept as low as possible. We've managed to convince him not to climb too high in his cage, his perches are all low and so are his food bowls. Since he's feeling better, he's wandering around more, and doesn't just want to sit on his playstand, so to keep him entertained, I've strung toys under the bottom of my desk for him to play with and he has food bowls to eat out of. His favorite thing to do is throw food, of course that seems to be Dixie's favorite thing to do as well. Usuaslly I feed all the birds and then take LP to school, coming home to vacuum, change paper and let the birds out. The other day I was running behind schedule on letting the birds out and running the vaccum, so I let them out first and without thinking set Beau down on his floor perch. Before I could get to the vacuum, here's Beau, going under the desk, cleaning up his few pellets and pieces of nuts that he had left. When he was done with that, he heads over to Dixie's cage area, quickly picking up the pellets she had thrown out from breakfast and was happily munching on them. If he keeps this up I'll never have to vacuum again!

Congratulatins Brittany, that's such exciting news! While I don't know that this will work, I can suggest that you include Pepper in your preparations for the new baby like you would if she were a child. Talk about when the baby comes, what the new things that will be coming into the house are for, etc. We did this with our oldest son when his sister was born, and then with each of them as their younger siblings were born. We also let our dogs see, sniff, and know what we brought into the house for each child. When our baby eventually arrived, there was an official, introduction between the pets and the baby, just like with the older children. Will they do something intentionally to hurt the child, only if you give them a reason to; and don't be surprised if Pepper becomes protective of the baby. Our dog wouldn't let my daughter's father near her for almost 3 months without me around.

Dixie likes to chatter, which is fine, but if I'm watching a movie or show that has particular interest (most of the time it's just noise) she chatters even more and louder. If the phone rings, you can guarantee she's going to talk. There have been times I've had to leave my office to have a conversation because Dixie want's me to talk to her, to the point of just calling my name. My doctor's office thought it was a child needing my attention...lol. When I explained, no that's my bird wanting my attention I thought the nurse on the other end was going to die from laughter.

As a child my grandmother had two plaques on the bathroom wall - one said: Mother aim's to please so please aim. Given that Beau knows you so well he was doing his best to keep his cage clean and aiming well! I've seen Dixie do her little squat wiggle and completely miss the paper directly below her, to the right and left of her and target the carpet! She's good - let me tell you now - then she enjoys watching me get on my hands and knees to clean the spot, so much so she'll climb down the side of her cage and sit on my head while I'm doing this. What better way to get my attention.

Guess I'll be saving this page for insight soon myself - while neither of my greys are flighted yet - Dixie has now gained 5 flight feathers (I was surprised she let me count them) and Beau's right wing is starting to grow back. I'm already accustomed to the sound of flapping wings and waiting for the landing with Blue (fortunately a long clip only). He's quick to go where ever he wants to but fortunately he stays in my office with me.

Great videos - really enjoyed them Jay - thanks for sharing.

Hill - do a search on Pack-o-bird or Adventure pack - there is a fairly large thread on this type of carrier with great detail to the design, use, etc. Should be full of information for you! They sound like great items, even though I don't own one. Actually - here's the link to one of them! http://www.greyforums.net/forums/the-grey-lounge/94116-adventure-pack.html<br><br>Post edited by: rbpittman, at: 2009/11/17 17:16

Mine are but babies in this bunch...Dixie (2/24/08) is 20 months and Beau is almost 5 months (6/26/09). My umbrella 2 is 9 years old.

Beau and Dixie aren't dunkers, but they do drink a lot of water right after eating. Blue the sun conure has his water changed 3 times a day from this dunking. I've watched him make the trek from one side of his bowl to the other dropping in piece after piece until he has sufficient number of pellets in the water and then goes in to retrieve them. It's funny watching the progression and then the enjoyment of dinner "his way".

What about some of the toys in the preschool section of the store that includes buttoning and unbuttoning, pockets and tying. At least I think they still make those...lol. Great idea otherwise.

Dixie is my first grey and the biggest thrill I have so far is hearing the progress in her speech. She was 14 months old when I got her (now 20 months) and her vocabulary is around 75 words and phrases. She was clipped and I am anxiously awaiting those new flights to come in (I can see a few already). The companionship she brings is amazing, not just to myself, but my entire family. Beau is my 4 1/2 month old little boy grey and he's been through h*ll and back already, but seeing him progress from a bare breasted, completely butchered wing to a fuzzy chested little guy with 3 new feathers on his wing makes my day. His determination to thrive and his cuddliness is what makes all the effort to keep him going worth it all. Even my mother and father come over routinely to check on his progress.

Best advice I can give - keep her hydrated and call the vet in the morning. Call first and talk with them since it may not be sick, it may be she loves you, digested a piece of walnut that was too large, or there really may be something wrong. My vet always prefers a call when there is the possibility of illness or injury prior to bringing in due to the stress put on our birds in transport. While they may be used to traveling with us on a daily basis, your stress level will be transferred. Stay as calm as possible, watch her carefully and keep her hydrated, and call the vet.