Greywings

My daughters Zoe left us yesterday, gently & quietly at the vets office. Best memeory is her racing into a postal delivery jeep while the postal employed ducked & covered expecting the worst. all she wanted was a ride in the jeep, had to be bribed out of her idea. we then took her for a quick ride in daughters Baja.

Some helpful ideas, can you shorten her daylight length? Early to bed & covered to make it dark changing the hormone levels she is dealing with. this link should be helpful and on Cockatoo the petting on the under wing body is also stimulating. Triggers of Breeding Behavior: Extended hours of light. Lengthening days and increased amounts of artificial light will cause a bird's reproductive organs to increase in size which in turn triggers a significant increase in hormonal activity. The availability of a suitable nest site and nesting materials. A suitable nest sites may, in your pet's eyes, include ordinary household items like cardboard boxes, areas behind cushions on the couch, even shoes. It is best to discourage them from claiming those as nests. Nesting material can be paper or a favorite blanket. Availability of a mate (can be you, another bird or an object, such as a favorite toy) Diet: Levels of fat and/or protein, as well as starches in the diet. Warm, wet food (nestling food) also encourages breeding behavior. Perceived sexual petting (i.e., stroking the bird's backside or near the vent) - See more at: http://www.avianweb.com/sexualbehaviorinbirds.html#sthash.cuCFkMzL.dpuf'>http://www.avianweb.com/sexualbehaviorinbirds.html#sthash.cuCFkMzL.dpuf'>http://www.avianweb.com/sexualbehaviorinbirds.html#sthash.cuCFkMzL.dpuf http://www.avianweb.com/sexualbehaviorinbirds.html Triggers of Breeding Behavior: Extended hours of light. Lengthening days and increased amounts of artificial light will cause a bird's reproductive organs to increase in size which in turn triggers a significant increase in hormonal activity. The availability of a suitable nest site and nesting materials. A suitable nest sites may, in your pet's eyes, include ordinary household items like cardboard boxes, areas behind cushions on the couch, even shoes. It is best to discourage them from claiming those as nests. Nesting material can be paper or a favorite blanket. Availability of a mate (can be you, another bird or an object, such as a favorite toy) Diet: Levels of fat and/or protein, as well as starches in the diet. Warm, wet food (nestling food) also encourages breeding behavior. Perceived sexual petting (i.e., stroking the bird's backside or near the vent) - See more at: http://www.avianweb.com/sexualbehaviorinbirds.html#sthash.cuCFkMzL.dpuf Triggers of Breeding Behavior: Extended hours of light. Lengthening days and increased amounts of artificial light will cause a bird's reproductive organs to increase in size which in turn triggers a significant increase in hormonal activity. The availability of a suitable nest site and nesting materials. A suitable nest sites may, in your pet's eyes, include ordinary household items like cardboard boxes, areas behind cushions on the couch, even shoes. It is best to discourage them from claiming those as nests. Nesting material can be paper or a favorite blanket. Availability of a mate (can be you, another bird or an object, such as a favorite toy) Diet: Levels of fat and/or protein, as well as starches in the diet. Warm, wet food (nestling food) also encourages breeding behavior. Perceived sexual petting (i.e., stroking the bird's backside or near the vent) - See more at: http://www.avianweb.com/sexualbehaviorinbirds.html#sthash.cuCFkMzL.dpuf

I am thinking that Gus just needs a helmet, would he select a Cowboys or a Texans logo on his? We do have to frag on our Texas Weather this time of year it has been very nice. More rain coming for my area mid week, we can use it. Love it when the birds all get into bathing a sprinkler works great as do those little fine misters you can attach to your hose.

I use it with out dilution.

Darn daylight legnth!

The birds often do their own removal. If it is a primary wing feather then you have to be careful not to fracture the wing bones when pulling the damaged feather. Yes bleed out is the more dangerous worry but if it has sealed it should be fine.

This Aloe vera juice looks & flows like water is never gummy and helped numerous Parrots feel more comfortable and less itchy. Pure water is a marvelous thing and it is a valuable commodity necessary to life as we know it and it is a good thing to mist or bathe our birds with-no argument there. Some birds need the little extra relief that the Aloe vera can bring and we must each research and use out best judgement along with our Avian Veterinarians advice. I choose to use the Aloe as it has made a difference for my birds and has made birds who arrived looking stained with smoke all clean and shiny again, after trying the plain pure water first with poor results I then used the Aloe vera juice and had a clean bird after 2 treatments. We can all agree the smoke covered bird was at greater risk just self grooming all that cigarette tar and nicotine off his feathers than trying the Aloe juice. I use Georges Aloe vera it is free of George's Anthraquinone oz - Fractionally Distilled Liquid from ... Preservatives or Additives Anthraquinone Free No Refrigeration Necessary. George's Always Active® Aloe Vera -- 64 fl oz - Fractionally Distilled Liquid from ... Preservatives or

Embrace the crock pot, stuff some food in it before you leave and it will be done when you get back. I use it on those most hectic days, a chicken fits in just fine with some carrots & potato's,( don't be tempted to try Too in a pot). You can use it to make a bean & grain mix for the birds so their food is ready to go. Life with critters can be so much fun and so much work just like raising kids. Hope Gus heals faster and Lilly gets off her drama queen kick. Maybe a little time out for her would help? If you know she is going to look for trouble give her a soaking spray bath or shower before setting her out, a wet bird usually wants to groom for a while and is somewhat reduced in trouble seeking ability and interest.

When you move her into your home find a place she can see the family activities but help her feel safe by either covering a corner of the cage or placing her in a corner of the room. Speak to your kids about sudden loud noises scaring an already frightened bird you may even want to put a barrier to keep the kids back from the cage to start with, a folding puppy pen works great. A vet visit to make sure she is not suffering from a bacterial, fungal or yeast growth on her skin might be smart as well. Kuddos to you for taking on this challenge and giving Garcia a chance at a safe and more comfortable life. You will find several threads on here about feeding healthy foods for your new friend, toy making ideas and ways to help her feel safe. Reading Gilbert's story will give you a great deal of insight into how to approach a Grey with so much emotional baggage. We are all willing to help when you have questions. Another Texan here-outside Houston.

Great intro and thoughtful approach-rather Grey like in my view. You will do great no matter what species you end up with I think the right bird might just select you if you visit a few and spend a little time with them. You might also consider the "other Grey Parrot" the Vasa http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-species/profiles/greater-vasa-parrot-2.aspx A good friend of mine has one and they are affectionate as well as quiet for a parrot, price runs higher than a Congo or Timneh Grey but my friend who has lived with many Parrots from Quakers to Macaws has nothing but glowing things to say about her Vasa. I live with four Greys and each one is very different in what they enjoy, allow, prefer and sounds they make. One is very affectionate, one is aloof, one is aggressive with me and one invites head scratches while caged and ignores me when loose in the house always gravitates towards my adult son.

I can speak from a rescue/Sanctuary viewpoint. It can be heartbreaking and rewarding at the same time. The stories, baggage and the humans entwined through it all have their own stories. Right now many rescues/Sanctuaries are having great difficulty raising enough funding to continue. That makes for even more birds needing to find a safe place to continue their lives. The one I volunteer for is standing on the edge of that line-feed alone takes over $2000.00 a month and the way our economy is and the lack of volunteers makes for a stressful time right now. None of us have any experience in fundraising and our volunteer who wrote grant applications now has ill elderly family that takes all of her time in another state. So try to make certain you have the ability to keep going once you have begun as we feel the fear and heartbreak of no longer being able to care for those in our hands moving forward. You heart is in the right place and so many birds need help it can be overwhelming.

Wonderful buy! Good for lifetime if it is stainless steel.

Lets face it you just never know what is coming up next!

With our mutilator and plucker I find that lots of spray misting with Aloe Vera Juice alternating with plain water off and on. Unfiltered Sunshine at least 1 hour a week and lots of fresh foods along with adding the hemp seed has made a big difference. Has not stopped our mutilator completely he has to keep his jacket and collar on for safety. It is helpful if they can get lots of exercise as well, stretch those wings and be active.

They can also develop the red feathers over an area that has been plucked or injured, like a grey dog may grow dark or black hair over scar tissue. Pookie my now 30 yrs old CAG has many red feathers and she was a long term plucker. She has been with us for the last several years and the plucking has reduced to just a few nervous plucked down feather pieces but has regrown as much as she is able on her belly and chest.

Gil girl is becoming that brave butterfly readily emerging from that dark chrysalis of her past spreading those wings and taking on her new brighter world. You have helped her florish and become who she is working to be. Hate to tell you this but she is our eSwamp Queen too.

He will probably develop many voices as his vocabulary grows I would not worry about the current robot sound he must like the effect.

At the Sanctuary we have an enclosed porch area very similar in size with a cement floor. When we had Macaws out there they did great only chewing perches and toys. We moved them out scrubbed redecorated and moved our Greys in there-oops-they took the porch lights apart completely, started chewing all corners they could get too- it was hardy board. So do watch carefully turn of the electricity when they ore outside to prevent fried parrots. It looks great hope both you and the birds enjoy it. When we moved the greys in there we had to add another layer of a finer mesh to keep rats and predators out.

I don't think any of us know what she decided to do. Love your Mac's Joe they have great color.

Keep her comfy and add a few more "bath times" or spray mistings to your routine of Sophie care.

Warm oatmeal (no salt or sugars), warm mashed potato- sweet or white, warm rice, warm birdy bread and warm scrambled eggs. These work for all of the flock. I sometimes make them an omelet with finely minced veggies and a little shredded cheese. I love that waffle idea mine do enjoy a warm pancake.

Parrots are smart, clever, loving, somewhat creative, and provide just a bit of danger-sounds like you will never be bored.

There are beneficial fatty acids like those found in walnuts, Coconuts, Palm nuts even in fresh veggies like Spinach just don't overdo. Fresh foods that are safe for birds such as leafy greens like spinach, kale, and romaine lettuce are rich in nutrients and provide great variety to a captive bird's diet. In the wild, parrots normally dine on leafy vegetation as well as fruits, nuts, and other staples. Spinach, for example, is full of beneficial omega 3 fatty acids, which help a bird have healthy skin and feathers. Vegetables like these are an important part of balanced nutrition for pet birds than owners sometimes overlook. http://www.holisticbirds.com/pages/efa0601.htm

I know other greys who do the nudist thing then grow beautiful feathers only to remove them all again months later. There must be a trigger for this repetitive behavior perhaps breeding hormones, dry skin, stress, who knows, will hope that Issac does not repeat now he is into looking good.

Adding a nut butter (as glue) to your veggie mix would work Talon.