3greys2love

I have an older congo, he's 24, I got him from a lady who's husband died, she had to move south to Florida with her daughter. he is my third as I have another congo who's 4 and a Timneh who's 5. He's in good health although never been handled before we got him about a year and a half ago. Even though I don't post much, I never get tired of hearing about everyone's greys and learning more info on them! Just love them!

I haven't bought from her but another fantastic breeder I did buy from highly recommends her....hope that helps!

Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone has ever used the JWR bird air purifier that is advertised in Bird Talk magazine? Also, if anyone could recommend a really good purifier for me as I have 3 greys, 2 are in a small bedroom turned birdroom that I sometimes sleep in due to my hubbys snoring. The JWR unit "sounds" great, and the guy has one heck of a sales pitch but I don't know if his claims are true. Our 3rd grey is in our living room. Would I need a unit for each area? These things are so confusing to look at in the store! Thanks

Thanks for the great recipe Greywings! I will make some of those! Katana600, you've just reassured me that it'll be ok! I thank you for that...I have been a nervous wreck about leaving them. You are right, it's what they eat for a long period of time that affects their health and well being. I was going to post a question about the dried veggies and fruits. I was going to ask if they are as healthy as fresh because mine do like the mix I buy at the bird store although it's $7 a pound and I'm not sure what goes into it. I just give them their mix as a treat. I was thinking of buying a dehydrator and drying my own fruits and veggies...What do you think? Then I would know that there isn't any "sulfuric whatever" or sugar in my own mix I would make

I too have a couple birds who love the sounds of sneezing and coughing but one of them has taken it all a bit further...I sometimes sleep in the same room where 2 of the greys night cages are, and I do that due to a husband snoring! Anyways, he has always said that I do too....I always tell him that I don't and never have...UNTIL, the last few weeks, maybe due to sinus and dry air? I have woken myself up to a loud SNORT ...that is from ME! So, lately, one of the greys is making this same loud snort on and off throughout the day....Ugh...I wouldn't admit this to anyone in person! Argh..:blush:

I was wondering if anyone could tell me if they have made a "complete" muffin or mash that could be served to your greys along with their diet of roudybush pellets that would be healthy. Reason being is that we will be going out of town for 3 weeks and my two grown sons will be staying at our home taking care of the birds while we are gone. As much as I am sure they would and will feed fresh veggies and fruits, I want to absolutely make sure that the birds are getting everything they need in their diets while we are gone. I would feel so much better if I could make a birdie muffin with say veggies, whole grains, etc., etc., or a mash that could be given easily by my sons in the morning before they leave for work. I feel it would be easier for them too. I worry about the fresh broccoli, kale, and other veggies and fruits going bad and my sons not noticing. I have always been so ANAL about freshness and know how long fresh food keeps in the refrigerator. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! I have made bird muffins containing mixed veggies, pureed butternut squash, brown rice, various types of organic baby food, egg, whole wheat flour and a bit of scraped cuttlebone for extra calcium. Does something like that seem OK? I have never left them that long and am a nervous wreck! My sons will do well as far as giving them the attention and time out they need...

Thank you all for your kind and helpful comments, she, keeping a little diary is a great idea! I will do that, it will help me to see how he is changing slowly but surely. You are right Dan, he has been this way for 23 years, only time and patience will tell if and how he comes around. His face has so much character, you can't help but love the grumpy old guy! I guess I just want it to happen faster than it may, if he tames down at all. When I first went to see him, he was so scared, hunched over, and puffed up I couldn't tell if he had some kind of a health problem or if it were just fear! I never saw his feathers smooth down that day. I left and told this lady who had him that I'd "think" about taking him in but to tell you the truth, I wasn't planning on it. Only an hour later I felt so guilty for leaving this poor bird at her house in his filthy small cage with an old dirty bell that looked as old as he was that I called her and said "I'll take him". He was free by the way...But? I'm so glad he's here...like I said, he has a certain way about him, although wanting to eat me! You can't help but love him! I'll try to figure out how to post pictures..Again, thank you for such kind comments and praise! These birds are great, I just love these greys...I don't get anything done when I'm home with them! ; )

Hello, now that I am a member I can post! I do have many questions but the first I will start with is: The 23 year old grey we rehomed has been here 5 months. He is very settled in his large cage, not afraid of toys, and is now finally eating pellets which is great! He is blossoming as far as making noises, starting to immitate, and when we leave the room, you can really tell that he wants you to come back because he gets really vocal saying all kinds of funny things which is good too! Anyways, I have been trying to work with him every day for 5 months now, he doesn't seem the slightest bit ready to step up, or even begin to step up. I have tried all the things I know to try - sitting by the cage and reading to him, talking softly to him everytime I feed, walk by, etc. When he gets down on his own off of his cage top, when he is in another room, I sit quietly on the floor, offer him treats, I just let him walk around a bit, etc. I know it is going to take ALOT of time because 23 years of no handling, being stuck in a small cage with no toys isn't going to be easy to reverse! But, I was talking to a lady who runs a local bird store who said that she thinks that he might just stay this way no matter what, and that he should've shown signs of being interested in me after 5 months. At least small changes. He has bitten me pretty bad several times, he has always fluffed up HUGE, pinned his eyes, bowed his head every single time I am around the cage except when I hand him a cracker. When in a neutral room, I have gotten him to step up when cornered when I have to put him back but only onto my sleeve. He then trys to bite hard as I am walking down the hallway back to his cage and will fly to the floor. OK...that's a little backround on how he has been this last 5 months but here's the thing I was so confused about. About a week after I brought him home, after climbing to the top of his cage, he started to regurgitate for me, then came down close to my hand. I held out my flat hand, he stepped onto it HOWEVER, he was doing his little mating dance nonstop with the little butt wiggling and regurgitating over and over. He let me touch him on the head, well pretty much everywhere like a different bird. He was so into the hormonal mood that he didn't even seem like he was "there"...just mesmerized by me. What I mean by that is that when i would try to give him a treat or hand toy to direct his attention to something other than "love" ; ) He would not even respond so I would put him back on his perch in the cage. Ever since then, (he did this for weeks) He doesn't regurgitate or do this lately, but seems vicious towards me. So my question is, do you think that he might ever come around? We will love him no matter what and he will always have a place here, but it sure would be nice to be able to have him step up even just to be able to be moved to one of our many playstands around the house. He was always on a small dowel rod so his feet are a bit funny as far as grasping things, he does well with his rope perches though. If I try to have him step up on a hand held perch, he goes beserk trying to viciously bite it. The poor little thing has no idea what it's for. Any advice would be so greatly appreciated! He's a great bird, so big and beautiful, he's an easy keeper but I'd love to be able to move him to different scenery and stimulation for his own well being. Thanks for reading this long winded post!

Thanks for your warm welcomes! I will try to post some pictures. My cags names are smokey and emily, the timnehs name is odie, and the caique is ernie. I do have some questions for you guys but I guess I should post under the proper sections. I'm sure you all will have some great ideas for me!

Hello, I just joined this site but have been reading it for quite some time. I thought it was time to introduce myself. My name is Bea and I have a beautiful 5 year old caique, a 3 year old Congo, a handsome 4 year old Timneh, and we recently "rehomed" or "rescued" you might say, a 23 year old Congo who lived in a tiny filthy cage, no toys or stimulation, no baths, no handling, and a diet of sunflower seeds. I took him to our avian vet to be examined, and amazingly enough, he is in fairly good health. He does have an old broken toe that is quite crooked that doesn't seem to affect his movement, as well as a crooked neck that could be due to a birth defect or possibly an injury? We don't know much about his last 23 years. He has been with us for almost 5 months now. As far as his personality goes, he is scared stiff of people, doesn't seem to mind toys, different types of perches, etc. that we have put in his new 36x28x72 inch cage, and he seems to love the space! Just wanted to introduce myself! You all give such good advice, and even though I've had my other greys since weaning, there is always more to learn about these amazing birds! You never know enough!