Spinner

My favorite is a package called "15 bean soup." I throw away the flavor packet and use the beans in my beans/veggie/rice mix. The birds love the variety of beans. As an aside, I typically under-cook the beans so they are bit firmer than normal. Add a bag of fresh veggies and a cup of uncooked rice, and it's a meal! From this mix I can package up a couple dozen one-cup portions and put them in the freezer until ready. All my babies love it and it's simple. Oh....mix in a half spoon of red palm oil when serving and it's a big winner.

Jill, I don't think they ever "get over" doing this. My 18 year old still does it, but rather than bite, he has honed his "grab Dave by the finger and move him elsewhere." While not biting, he is using his beak to let me know this is not what he wants! Although he now knows when it's a must-do. He obliges with a little pinch of the beak just to remind me that he's in control :ohmy:

Thanks, all! The web cams are still on, but in a couple of weeks the nursery cam will be empty. Gabi is a scream! She loves stealing sushi from my plate. Picture that one

Here's Gabi, our five-month old from Camilla's October brood, in one of her excited moods and trying to decide what toy to play with. She finally decided the camera was fair game and managed to turn it off. Enjoy!

I have a cheap solution that I use in my nursery - I use a 20" box fan with a 20x20 charcoal filter and furnace filter in front of it. Here's a link to an earlier post about it - http://www.greyforums.net/forums/health-room/154750-air-purifier-question.html#155844 I've done a second version with plastic channel to hold the filter elements. The filters are cheap and readily available. With up to ten birds in the room at a time, I can attest to its effectiveness of both dust and odor control.<br><br>Post edited by: Spinner, at: 2010/03/05 14:38

I have a cheap solution that I use in my nursery - I use a 20" box fan with a 20x20 charcoal filter and furnace filter in front of it. There's a post somewhere here that details it. I've done a second version with plastic channel to hold the filter elements. The filters are cheap and readily available. With up to ten birds in the room at a time, I can attest to its effectiveness of both dust and odor control.

Now where's the sport in "no-mess" food?

Our household joke about phone mimicking is "answer the bird, it's ringing!"

Seeing our babies with great new parents, like this: http://www.greyforums.net/forums/the-nursery/182282-baby-photos.html :laugh:

Alfie was looking for some food from that big bird! Nice video - thanks!

Watching Gabi have an argument with a chopstick. One sentence. What's yours today? ps...the chopstick lost :woohoo:

Judy, Nice list of links! Thanks.

I have an Animal Environment cage that has about 6 inches between the bottom grate and the tray. The unfortunate thing is they only make stainless cages now. You will want to check those cages that have a catch apron - these usually have the grate well above the tray. And yes, I think a tray is an absolute necessity for good hygiene and health...but that's my opinion.

Congrats on the big event. Gabi loves her trips to the pet store and vet with her harness on. How does Isaac handle everyone's reaction? Gabi just preens like a big girl when she's the center of attention. Keep it up!

Lyn! Well done. And Alfie, what a smart one! Next: how about training her to fly to you on command. It's Gabi's favorite. It's a good starting point towards other fun stuff.

That's awesome! Sounds like you enticed Mojo by not forcing the issue. Good for you! Suggestion - make sure others in the household close the shower door, otherwise they may have a bird flying in to join (scare) them. (don't ask how I know) :ohmy:

You're right, I didn't fully understand your question, but the fundamentals are the same - There is no motivation for your bird to step up in those scenarios around her cage or perches. She DOES have motivation when she's on the floor - you are her ride back to her favorite spot. She gets positive reinforcement to step up due to the ride home. You need to introduce a motivation and positive reinforcement for stepping up while on her cage or perch. There is nothing wrong with using treats as a basis for target training. In fact, it is the usual method. Later, as the behaviour changes, then the treats can be eliminated/reduced. As Xtreme said, small steps. Please do some research about training with approximations (these are the small steps). You start by teaching her to take treats from your hand. When trying to get her to step up with treats, you mention she starts to lean forward, then sees your hand and bites. Get her to take treats reliably (this is the target). After doing this well, introduce your hand between her and the treat. When she leans forward, you should immediately give her the treat and highly praise her. Don't expect a step up immediately. Continue doing this consistently and regularly. At some point, she will step up onto your hand. That calls for a big praise (and of course, the treat). Go check out Barbara Heidenreich's web site at http://www.goodbirdinc.com. Order her training DVD and apply it to Yuki.<br><br>Post edited by: Spinner, at: 2010/02/16 21:05

It sounds like she certainly knows what step up means, but is being belligerent about returning to her cage. And, her bites indicate her desire not to get off the perches. This is really a training issue. Here's a question for you: Since Yuki likely knows that stepping up off the rope perches ends up with her in the cage, what would motivate her to get off the perch? What I am reading on your post isn't so much a question about how to get Yuki to step up, rather, the issue is how you can get her into her cage. To get there, think through a set of approximations (small steps) that you can use to train her to the desired response. You must also separate the stepping up off the rope and the return to the cage during this process.

Kathryn, Thanks for keeping us up to date on Vree's progress! So glad the healing continues.

Spock, Beaker, Camilla, Gonzo, Bonnie, Clyde, Gabi, and three babies all send you their featherly prayer of rapid healing!

EPA data shows that there is no danger to ourselves or birds by using non-stick cookware as it is designed to be used. The same is true for silicon cookware. While there is no question about non-stick cookware's ability to generate PFOA toxins (labeled a possible carcinogen by the EPA), it is only at extreme temperatures that might happen. These temperatures are well above the smoke point of any oils we would cook with. Thus these high temperatures present as much a danger form oil smoke than it does the generation of PFOA. Also, it is not clear whether the issue is aerosol contaminate or particulate escaping into food. Either way, if in good condition and used properly, non-stick cookware present no issues. In fact, the EPA has stated that "there is little worry about it if consumers use nonstick cookware properly." Even so, the EPA recommends keeping pet birds out of the kitchen in case cookware exceeds the recommended maximum of 450 deg F. This means the kitchen. Which frankly, shouldn't be where birds would be during cooking anyway (ask me about spaghetti sauce and birds sometime). But, to your question, there is no issue identified at all with silicone cookware. It does not contain the PTFE coating nor PFOA components. For what it's worth, I use non-stick cookware and silicone products in my household. Further, I keep the birds in an adjacent space (no walls). However, I do always run exhaust fans while cooking. Beaker likes to smell dinner coming

Does it sound something like a quick ah-ah-ah-ah or similar? It's likely an "I'm excited" sound and is quite normal. Often times greys really get into their playtime.

I believe that's the right choice for your bird. Having done both, I know the full-flight birds seem happier and much more coordinated. You asked about harnesses. I use an aviator harness exclusively when I take my greys out. They know when it comes towards them that they're going to get to go outside. They are absolutely giddy about it. I even take them on errand runs with me during the winter/cooler months - it's a pleasure for them and for everyone that sees them. Keep the questions coming! Your grey is all the better for it.

By all means, search the forum regarding clipping. It always generates a nice debate. My opinion (you asked): Don't clip unless there's a medical reason or a specific danger to the bird or family. Birds use their wings for much more than just flying around, including hopping around, jumping up on things, jumping down, balance, etc. I don't believe there is any inherent danger of a bird flying. I would be interested in hearing what you hear about the danger of flying. Another point is that even a clipped bird WILL get away from you outside if not properly harnessed. Clipping does not prevent flight, it just makes it much harder for the bird. The only danger I see in floor walking is the potential to step on them. They will get into wires and other dangers if we dont' pay attention to them - walking, flying, or not. So....Don't clip. Let your bird walk. Keep your bird harnessed outside. Pay attention to your bird at all times. Where's my penny? Have fun!

PM'd you with some info. Hope Vree remains comfortable and heals well.