Buffy

LOL! I hate bedtime too!

Evidently Fosters and Smith have quit selling the collabsible cage I had. I checked my Christmas catalog and it is nowhere to be found in there. I guess that explains why I couldn't find it on the website!

Thank you Karcar for starting this thread and to everyone who answered it! Neither of my Greys would touch the palm oil despite every trick I thought of. However, I tried the refrigeration method after reading this thread, and thumper gobbled it up and begged for more! Echo still wouldn't touch it, but now have a 50% success rate. Thats better than 0%!

I have two greys and they are in seperate cages. In addition to the all reasons already listed, I think it is very important for each bird to have their own space.

Jason, The cage I got from them is much bigger. It also comes with a tote to carry it in when it is collapsed. I looked on their website and don't see it, but it is still in the catalog they send to my house. When I get home, I'll get the product number and send it to you. Even though you probably won't have time to get it for this trip, it is a great cage. I love the fact that it fits into a carry tote when collapsed. Before I got this cage, I did exactly what Dave said, and just bought a medium parrot cage that didn't collapse but did fit in my back seat.

I got my collapsible travel cage from Fosters and Smith. It's not as big as the one you have listed here from Wal-mart, but works well for mine. I'm not sure if they could ship it in time but you might want to look into it.

I am so glad to get an update on Timmy! My computer died and I wasn't able to get on the forum for about a week. I kept thinking I got to check and see if there is a Timmy update. He definitely has a fan club here!

Thank you so much everyone! No blood samples were taken and there was no gland infection. She just said it was swollen and crusty which could cause problems later, and that if got worse she would have to open the gland up and remove it. Each bird has a seperate cage, but play and eat together often. The vets advice for fixing this issue was to change from Hagen pellets to Harrisons. I have already gotten my youngest switched to Harrisons as he will eat anything put in front of him even Palm oil, but my oldest is a very finicky eater and has not touched the Harrisons yet. After exhaustive research throughout the weekend, I decided it was time to pack up and head to Atlanta, Ga which is the closest area to me with highly reputed avian veternarians. I called today to make an appointment. Shockingly, when I told them I was needing a second opinion on some preening gland issues with my parrots, the vet called me back and talked to me at length over the phone for free! She was wonderful. She asked me a long series of questions ranging from 'do I take my birds to shows to whether or not they still had their powder down. She told me that she commonly sees this issue in African Grey parrots and that its usually more genetics than a vitamin or disease issue. She did recommend that I have my vet run blood work to be safe, but that as a whole, she agreed with my vets diagnosis and that she most likely didn't recommend further testing because she didn't see any other concerning problems with the birds (My vet did tell me the birds looked perfect except for the preening gland). She said she was very familiar with the breeder I bought my birds from, and is not aware of any outbreaks of PBFD at her facility. She said greys often get a clogged preening gland and it could turn into a tumor if not removed. I was really starting to worry that I had a vet who went to a few bird seminars and felt she was knowledgeable enough to see birds, so this has alleviated a lot of my concerns. However, I'm still anxious about it all. None of this answers the question of why is it an issue with both birds. They are from the same breeder but not the same parents. Could I be the only person around that got two different birds with the same genetic problem? LOL. I wouldn't doubt it, but I wouldn't take anything for them be it genetics or PBFD or anything else. Thank you to you all for your help and time. I will keep you updated.

Thank you Dave. She did not mention the PBFD at all which worries me. Can the birds be tested for this to find out if this is the issue? I'll begin research on this immediately. The price included only a general check up, fecal smear, and for Echo, a Polyoma vaccine booster. I was even charged a bio hazard fee for each bird. Never had a vet charge me for that before. It just seemed strange.

My birds had their check up at the vet last week, and I have a couple of questions about what my vet told me. Echo had her yearly check up and Thumper had his initial check up. The vet told me that both birds had a very dry preening gland which means they are both vitamin A and D deficient, and that if it got worse she may actually have to cut the preening gland to release the dry, crusty oil (not sure what word she actually said, but I hope this gives the right picture). I was shocked because both of my birds are on a very varied diet of pellets, fresh fruits and vegetables, and a pasta, bean, frozen veggie mixture that I cook up and feed them three times a week. Niether bird gets enough sun so I have ordered an avian sunlamp. Echo is a picky eater but still eats quite a bit of her fruits and veggies, but won't touch certain veggies I give her. Thumper eats everything in sight and consumes a very rich, varied diet. Is it really possible that both birds preening gland is not producing enough oil? Has anyone else dealt with this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. She gave me a list of veggies high in vitamin A, but they already get all the veggies on the list except bell peppers which I have added to their diet. My vet is the only vet that sees birds within a 70 mile radius of me, but she is not certified throught he American association of Avian veternarians. I just want to make sure that what she is telling me is possible. She also told me to stop feeding them broccoli because it can cause thyroid problems in Greys, but everything I've read talks about what a great vegetable broccoli is for my birds. Also, the checkup for both birds cost me $450. Is this about right for two avain check ups? On a positive note, she did not hassle me at all about my decision to let my birds flight wings grow out. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

The best of luck to you and Sadie. Such a sad story, but it sounds like a happy ending is on the horizon.

I am by no means an expert and can only share my personal journey. I researched thoroughly and decided that a TAG would be best for me. However, in researching breeders, the breeder I was most impressed with only bred CAG's, so I purchased Echo. A year later, I purchased Thumper, another CAG from her. I was very worried about Thumper because he was the only egg from his clutch to hatch, so he was raised without siblings. I was concerned he would be a little neurotic. However, he is by far, my most outgoing bird. My two are polar opposites from each other. It's hard to believe they are even the same species, but I love them both. They are truly individuals. They have in one way or another dispelled every thing I've ever read about greys. You will fall in love with whatever you decide. Oh and Echo becomes completely excited when I pull out the travel cage, while Thumper hates it but deals with it. I completely agree with your comments about Congo negatives. The only stereotype I've found to be true is that both of mine dislike baths.

looks like heaven to me!

Echo has been fully flighted for over two months now. However, except for one time, she has only flown when spooked. The one time she flew for fun, I was so excited, and thought this is just the beginning! However, I'm beginning to believe she was spooked that time as well and I just didn't see what spooked her. I asked the bird breeder to leave my 6 month old, Thumper, in what she called a 'baby cut' instead of a full cut. He is so confident and whenever he needs attention he flys to me. I love it that he will just come to me when he wants. Echo very verbally lets me know when she needs attention, but despite my efforts, she refuses to budge until I come get her. I would love for her to realize that she can just come to me and land on me as expertly as Thumper does. (He never misses my shoulder) Any suggestions on how I can help Echo with this, or should I just leave her be and let her decide in her own time?

Poor Dayo. My Echo has absolutely no fear of the dogs, cats, birds outside, etc but in her eyes, the broom is the most dangerous predator there is!

I definitely like Acappella's ideas and think that would, by far, be the best way to go if at all possible. You might also want to contact your local PETA chapter, although I have some issues with the way PETA handles things, they are currently running an awareness of hoarding campaign. Despite my personal feelings about the way they sometimes go about getting things done, they do get results. I bet they could offer some advice and assistance as well.

Wow. Your choices are limited. I looked at the websites thinking I could offer some advice. I researched for over a year before I decided on the breeder I wanted. I wanted a small breeder who didn't have too many babies at one time, DNA sexed, and vaccinated their birds. It doesn't look like you really have this option in your area. I am also against breeders who breed hybrid parrots. It looks like all of the breeders in your area do this, not that it will matter with a Grey, but it's just a practice I don't believe in or want to financially support in any way. If I had to choose one of these, I would most likely go with the first or last one. Good luck! I hope you can find what you are looking for.

Cody is lucky to have such a great parent and vet! I look forward to hearing more about Cody.

Call the board of health in your area. I would think it would be easiest to get the human some help first and then bring someone in to safely secure the birds into rescue organizations.

My absolute favorite toy site is http://www.birdyboredombusters.com. The lady has a very nice selection of foot toys as well as parts to make your own toys. I can't wait to check out the other websites listed.

My Echo HATES bathing. I've tried every method and finally gave up which was very dumb of me as she started plucking her chest feathers. Once I started forcing her to bathe, her skin became less itchy, and she has had no more issues with plucking. I found the least traumatic method for her was to run her a bath, put her down in it and then rub water over her body with my hands. Once I got Thumper, I was amazed at how different they were concerning bath time. Echo seems completely water resistant and comes out of the tub looking dry. Thumper looks thoroughly soaked though. Thumper also emits an odor after a bath but Echo doesn't. I've always wondered about that.

I paid $950 for my first one and then got a discount due to being a repeat customer and paid $900 for my second one. Every breeder I looked at was between $900 and $1000. I definitely agree with Rudysmom and would go with the breeder. I researched breeders at length when I decided to buy a grey. It was very important for me to find a small, experienced breeder who didn't have too many babies at once and could give lots of attention and socialization to the babies she was raising. I also wanted my bird weaned to pellets. My breeder keeps a small waiting list, so I had to wait for a while, but it was worth it! There are all kinds of great cages. I went for the largest I could afford with my first bird, but soon realized it was a little overwhelming for her at first. I started my second bird in a smaller cage and moved him into a larger cage a few months later. I buy everything, especially my cages and play stands, at bird shows. Even though I have to drive a couple of hours, everything there is so much cheaper. Good luck! I continue to be amazed at just how much my two birds have enriched my life!

I really wish I had taught mine to wear a harness. I'm very glad that I bought a shower perch and taught them to enjoy time in the shower with me.

My greys are on a fairly consistent routine, but my work schedule can become hectic, so I try to mix the schedule up so not to stress them when my schedule does change. It has worked for me thus far. I always get them out in the mornings before I go to work for about 30 minutes and then take them in the shower with me. They are then out for at least 3 to 6 hours in the evening. Our morning routine is the part of the day I cherish the most. My oldest talks to me constantly while we are in the shower and it is a precious start to my day. I also rent and have had no issues with my birds destroying any of the house. I have a lenient landlord though who is also an animal lover. It doesn't bother her at all to rent to someone who has two dogs, two parrots, three cats, and three chickens! You don't find many like that though! However, I always pay my rent a week early and provide her with fresh eggs from the chickens just to make sure she stays happy with me.

Thanks everyone. The last month of having a flighted bird have been quite an experience. She was only flying when spooked and it has just been in the last few days that she has decided to take 'fun' laps around the room. It truly is a beauty to watch (minus the crash landings which she is working on). When she lands, she expects me to come and retrieve her. I have very high ceilings, and yesterday she decided to land on the curtain rod where I couldn't possibly reach her. She got so angry with me that I didn't come get her! It was quite comical, me trying to convince her to come down, and she trying to convince me to come up! We got a few kinks to work out, but we're getting there. I can't wait to see what its going to be like when my other grey molts and both are flying!