Lambert58

This Pomy seeding video may help: http://greyttimes.com/?p=286

Our GCCs are very special to us. They're our first fids, and they've taught us more than I'd ever expected. Our shining star is Rusty. I posted a spot about him here: http://greyttimes.com/?p=261 He's our little green knight for sure.

We actually buy two types of toilet paper: the super cheap industrial John Wayne TP (doesn't take crap off of anyone!) for cleanups instead of paper towels, and then the fluffy, comfy, happy stuff for us lol.

For just our 2 greys, this is hard to estimate. We have 4 other conures that nibble into our costs but I'll do my best: monthly costs: toys: $10-$50 depends on what the toy du'jour is. dry food, 1 bag of harrison's/month = $40 (shipping included) wet food: veggies, fruits, cereals = $100 (homemade mash is pretty cheap... maybe $20 for about 6 months worth) Nutriberries: $26/month cleaning supplies, including extra loads of laundry, paper towels, etc: $20 So, about $200 a month for just the greys. Add about another $200 for our other 4 conures. Then add in about $500/year for vet visits (assuming everyone is healthy). About $5k a year.<br><br>Post edited by: Lambert58, at: 2010/01/29 23:36

I know exactly what you're saying, Sandra. It's not about us but about how we can make sure the fids we're entrusted with move on to better lives. It's like having an endless stream of children that you send out into the world, and I know that we can only control what we can control. Don't think it doesn't still make me crazy, though! I have a basic need to ensure every fid I see lives the most perfect life ever.... and that's unrealistic, but it is what it is

I spent some years as a drill instructor. That taught me to take someone else's (cough) messed up, spoiled kid and turn them into a responsible, adaptable, successful person. Maybe I can translate that into the avian world We did have to move our trip due to work issues, though, and hopefully we can get there this next weekend.

You have to include the fact that people that have owned fids for 40 years probably don't even know what a computer is. No insult intended, but my mom is 68, and had she become owned by a grey at 20, I'm CERTAIN she'd have NO idea how to find this forum today.<br><br>Post edited by: Lambert58, at: 2010/01/28 02:06

These birds are pretty adaptable, and I think many folks don't understand their natural climate. A grey can certainly take 45 seconds of snow. they're more insulated than you might think. However, being fully flighted without a harness outside... but that's a totally separate issue. Could be 75 degrees outside... I'd never do what she did.

Our babies have started moulting out of their evil pet store clips. Thank goodness. http://greyttimes.com/?p=243 It's gonna be a good year

pearllyn wrote: Lol! So Lambert, what happened the time you learned not to offer apple juice in a bowl!!! Although I think I can imagine the scenario!!:laugh: Alfie does joint me in the shower pretty much every day - and I do think she enjoys sitting up there on the rail - singing away! It's just proper wet time she objects, I think we're getting there though! Rusty, one of our happy little GCCs, decided that drinking the apple juice wasn't enough. I'd turned my back for 1 minute to gather up dishes and put them in the dishwasher and turned 'round to find him beak-deep in the bowl I'd offered the apple juice in. He'd never had a bath outside of his water bowl up to that point. I didn't want to let him dry up and get all sticky, so we headed to the sink. He was Not. Happy. lol. It's absolutely true that it was my fault and he has every reason to have been mad. In fact, to this day I think he bites me occassionally just for that day >

The trouble they get themselves into, for us, is usually 50% panic 50% hilarity.

I am so glad you found a home for Riamfada! I've worried about this for a long time. I know you must be relieve, too.

Willow was 1-wing clipped before we got her (at 8 weeks old). She's nipped off all but 4 tail feathers (grrr) so when she flies it's much like Albatross Airlines from Fivel fame (if you don't know what that is, you're lucky you're not old enough to remember The Rescuers). She's gotten better, lately, and I've tried like crazy to get a good pick of her flying... here's the result: lol followed by a good clean up:

That's so cute! I'm glad it worked out! We've tried to pair up our fids and it's turned out well. We know there are going to be days where we'll be gone at work for 8 hours (that hasn't happened much over the last year) and we want to make sure they each have a buddy for those long days.

Willow and Cleo share the shower with me almost daily. We have towels (for grip)laid over the shower rod, and they usually sit up there and talk and sing in the mornings after breakfast while I take my shower for work. I do this daily because it's so freaking dry here and want to get them a nice humid environment for at least 20 minutes a day. About twice a week we play "parrot car wash," where I grab them off the rod and soak 'em down really nicely. They don't hate it, but they don't love it. They tolerate it. Unlike our 4 conures, who you can't put near a bowl of liquid without them jumping in (ask me about the time I learned to no offer apple juice in a bowl).

When your hand looks like you're in Fight Club.

Whenever Willow is on my shoulder and goes for my glasses, we play a game where I gently remove the glasses while she's still attached to them. I'll move the glasses so her neck is within range and i'll give her kisses and raspberries on the nape of her neck until she lets go of the glasses. This approach has proved very successful: she just wiggles around for about 2 seconds then lets go. TODAY: Willow was like: "Ohhh... kisses..." and just sat there lol. The wife was watching. She rolled her eyes and walked away muttering B)

First trip: dinner: http://greyttimes.com/?p=225 Second trip: Next Saturday we're going to go visit the Gabriel Foundation, THE bird rescue here in Colorado. Just south of Denver. We honestly don't know what the outcome will be. We originally called them with the intent of rescuing an older grey. However, they say that their greatest need is for fids between 4 - 8 years of age. It seems people adopt, own for a few years, then discover they didn't do their homework and they're not prepared to care for an adult fid. I'm going to have to leave my heart at home otherwise I'll bring home half their birds (they said they have 400+ rescues... it breaks my heart). They need people to take "unadoptable" birds... meaning those that were in environments where they weren't understood so they're aggressive, and need someone to work with them until they become adoptable. But we don't know if we can do that. I become so bonded with all our critters I don't know if I could give them up. It's going to be a test.

Joolesgreyuk wrote: Oh, aren't they all? lol I've never felt so manipulated in my life than over the last year.

lol. If i had to pick a creature to be reincarnated as, a grey would be it, and definitely would want to own a human that knew/cared enough to frequent these forums.

LOL! That was adorable.

danmcq wrote: Willow, a.k.a. my little lovesnugglebaby (as far as the wife is concerned) does the upside-down head thing. Willow rarely accepts scritches, but instead her form of affection is the upside-down-head-beaking-squeeking-snuggleing thing. If you've experienced it, you know exactly what I'm talking about, if you haven't it'd be very very hard to explain without video, which I've been trying to get for a week!

If you can, get to the vet ASAP. Yes, it could be infected but the only person that can confirm that is a vet. Go Go Go. Are you still here? Get to the Vet!

I really recommend a mash recipe + a good pellet diet (harrisons or we also use another organic brand, I'll track it down) + fresh veggies/fruits for variety. I have a proven mash recipe here: http://greyttimes.com/?p=68

Sign me up. lol. My right thumb, index and middle fingers look like I'm a professional razor blade catcher. Willow never bites (she wubs me!) Cleo only bites when I'm putting her in her cage and she doesn't want to go. Yes, I've tried every bribery method I know of, sometimes it works, sometimes it's blood! Maddox never bites (he wubs everyone!) Merlin bites, he's a baby (6 months) and unfortunately he learned to get his way by biting before we got him. We'll fix it. Dusty and Rusty are vicious little demons. They never bite my wife, but will fly over to me, look lovingly in my eyes, then send me to the first aid kit, dripping blood.:evil: