bran

i do the pre-filter about every other month, you can hear it start to get clogged, and see when it almost turn completely white with dander, it is indeed time. The regular filter is about once a year, and to be honest, you can really tell the difference of air quality. It's nice and the pre-filter has an odor reducer in it as well. Some filtration systems come with ionizers, i have done extensive research on the topic, and 85% says DO NOT use it. The ionizer bonds the molecules together in to larger particles, which your parrots inhale, and can cause respiratory problems. The same risks are true apparently with ozone options. The Honeywell I recommended, doesn't have the option, but the small holmes in our bedroom does, I just leave it off. Better safe than sorry. cheers!

Hi there! I am a HUGE fan of air purifiers! Right in the bird "area" I have a honeywell air purifier 50101 that is set up near the cages. It is fairly quiet, and has a pre-filter/main filter unit. The replacement packs are about $14 at Target (you have to cut them yourself) and you get about four to five replacement pre-filters if you are crafty (creative with scraps, and their provided velcro strips). The actual Hepa Filter is about $26 and needs to be changed depending on hours of usage. It really keeps the dander low, and you can see how quick it works when you change the black pre-filter. Due to the high amount of dander that grey's produce, you will need to change the prefilter more often, so it can get proper filtration. For something that is under $100, it works great for us!! Cheers!

An article I just wrote for a friend and inspiration Patricia Sund... http://parrotearth.com/2012/01/31/just-a-thanks-and-a-little-homage/ So glad that she liked it! It's kind of weird writing about someone so inspirational to you, but I believe it's important to share thanks, and compliments!

Hi there! I got my Timneh and Congo both online, they were both advertised on CL and Ebay Classifieds. I will say that I commend you for saying "stay home" its cold out, this not only is a great thing for the bird, but for you to see what kind of environment the bird has been living in. When I went in to see my timneh, his cage had been cleaned, and everything looked prestine... but I also got to see the environment where he was living. Was he scared of the people in the household? Were there Glade Plug Ins in every room? What did his droppings look like? We had our TAG in fifteen minutes, and to be honest got lucky. There aren't alot of happy endings that could end up that way. There are a lot of issues could have happened. My rule of thumb when shopping for anything on the internet, just because you show up to look, doesn't mean you HAVE to buy it. With our Congo, I actually asked the owner not to clean up his cage etc, I wanted to see what health issues there might be. It also gave me a chance to see he had been given fresh greens and an over abundant supply of rice cakes. We spent an hour with him and I paid attention to his under side, any sign of plucking, droppings, aggression towards the husband (that later made sense) etc. The main thing that I would offer is, listen to your gut! You will know what a right fit is or not. You never know, the bird might not even like you. Good Luck! Re-Homing a bird is the hardest job, you will ever love.

Awesome! Your house sounds like my partner and I's. We have a 10 year old golden retriever, a 4 month old golden retriever, a 12 year old black cat who is 20lbs, a 5 year old dwarf maine coon cat, a fish tank.... and let's not forget about Dexter my TAG who is 13 and Cooper my CAG who is 10. Wooosheww, that does seem like alot now that I see it in print. No wonder people refer to my house as the ark. HaHa! I wouldn't have it any other way! I would love to have a finch cage when we have room, shhhh don't tell my partner that. Congratulations on your little zoo!!

Hi Mariesa! Thanking you for stepping in and giving an abused Grey a quality home! Not alot of people are willing to do that! Both of my greys are re-homed... and it is the hardest job you will ever love. Sometimes you will second guess everything you are doing, and that is completely normal. There will be peaks and valleys, and your patience will be tested.... just remember to breathe! I wrote an article in my blog Parrot Earth that you might find interesting, http://parrotearth.com/2011/09/22/just-relax-already/ it kind of sums up a good portion of the first year of re-homing my first grey. Welcome aboard this forum, there are some really great people, and very experienced.... that's always a good thing to have in your corner!

yes this did turn into an amazing thread!! It's amazing how things come together when you have different people add input to a conversation. Now, to answer the difference between Chop and Mash... I was explained that Mash is all cooked together, and Chop is mostly raw. Mash I would say is closer to Bean Mix with it being mostly cooked. I asked the same questions when I first got my greys, and that's what the wise creator of the Chop concept Patricia Sund explained to me. She also told me, there are so many different concepts out there, and it doesn't matter what you use, as long as it works for your birds. If only the parrot owners of yesteryear had access to the internet and knowledge that we have now.... what stories their parrots would be able to tell. :-)

I second the congratulations on your "new" baby! I also have struggled with a parrot that was on a poor diet before I came along, and thankfully fate has brought you into this birds life for a better and happier chance. I would go out and get yourself some pellets to introduce to Benguin, mix them in with the sunflower seeds, so that Benguin will recognize it as a food substance. If he has never had anything else, then he will NOT know it is food, and consumable. Also, stay away from any of the food items that are on this list http://www.parrotpal.com/dangerous-foods-for-parrots. I agree with taking him to a vet as soon as possible, it is important to find out the health issues that is going on with him because of the sunflower seed only diet. There may be some serious vitamin deficiencies that need to be addressed. Your vet will be able to draw blood, and tell you everything you need to know. Benguin is getting used to the new surroundings, and it's not uncommon for a new bird to go through the "honeymoon" phase and act very shy, and well behaved. It isn't until time has passed, and the bird gets comfortable, then you get to see the true personality of your feathered friend. Try and find a good "treat only" food that you can use strictly for training, my birds like dehydrated banana's. I take a slice, and crumble up into small pieces, because large amounts are fattening. They know it's "time to learn" when I pull out the container. I would grab a book, open the cage door, and read to Benguin. Every time he comes to you, give him the treat. Positive reinforcement is the key. This will encourage a bond between the two of you, and he will look forward to your one on one time. Until you form a secure bond with Benguin, training is rather moot. You can't rush them, just like they can't rush you. When he gets comfortable with you, then stretch the boundaries a little, but don't go too fast. Before you know it he will start imitating your voice, the microwave, and things he hears on television. Speaking of noises, leave a radio, or tv on when you are gone, so he has "someone" to keep him company. My birds have a tv in their bird room that I leave on the classic cartoon channel, its so funny to hear the noises they have picked up on. Most Importantly... Remember you are going to have a LONG life with your parrot, and you have plenty of time.... so don't rush making a lifetime bond with your companion parrot. Try these two books, they made a huge difference in my training, and knowledge of parrots: http://www.amazon.com/Parrot-Problem-Solver-Barbara-Heidenreich/dp/0793805627/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1321990780&sr=8-4 http://www.amazon.com/Parrot-Life-Raising-Training-Companion/dp/0793805821/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1321990821&sr=8-4 Best of Luck!!

With the chop recipe, everything listed in thrown into a food processor, and "chopped" hehe. The quinoa is cooked, and I sometimes throw in cooked lentils. The beanie recipe has cooked ingredients, and is a little more intricate. I say, work with what you have, seasonal, and what your birds like. That's the most important part, what your birds like, why waste hours of time preparing.... if they just use it as a wall decoration behind their cage? This was my first time trying it out, and I added some more ingredients, but you get the idea.... :-) Try it in a small batch.

Hi there! I was personally introduced to Chop, and totally loved the concept. Chop and Mash are very similar, and I think whoever decides to do the research and cares that much for their parrot's diet, you can call it "fiddle faddle" if you want. I like the chop concept because you make it in such a large batch, bag it up, freeze and you are good for months. It saves time, and believe it or not M$ney. My birds still do try and eat me out of house and home, but making chop and "beanie mix" has cut down on pellet consumption and I know they are getting essential ingredients, and anti-oxidants that will help make sure they have a better quality of life. Granted there are people that enjoy cooking for their parrots on a daily basis, and I say "awesome", again your birds are lucky to have you. I like the convenience and I will be honest, I don't like dishes. haha. I included some recipes I personally tried. They worked, and my Timneh, Dexter would not eat anything besides pellets and dehydrated banana (thanks to his previous owners) and would not touch ANYTHING fresh. He truly prefers the beanie mix to the chop, but I take a teaspoon and a half of each, and mix them together. The quinoa sticks to everything, and he gets the sneaky "healthy" things I throw in. Cooper my Congo, well, he is like Mikey, and will eat anything. My Chop Recipe Teenie Weenie Beanie Recipe These concepts are just that, concepts, and ideas. It is a matter of personal choice what you would like to feed your birds or the methods you choose, ... if your birds are lucky enough to have someone who cares, and doesn't stick them in a basement with a seed only diet... then you are just what the new generation of aviculture needs. Scientists have come leaps and bounds in the past twenty years, with avian diets and "when you know better, you do better". There is enough knowledge out there with blogs, and quality forums such as this one, to help people become the best bird owners they can be.

Something on the topic of screeching, squawking, and screaming, ever had you parrot do that? I know, such a silly little idea....haha! Enjoy! Silence is Golden.

playing a little marco pollo i see.

You know, I actually was just thinking about this very topic! Years ago my aunt had an Amazon, and in the bottom of his cage, she had playground sand, and would just sift out the poop with a hand strainer, very similar to cat litter. It seemed to work very nice for her.... anyone else tried this concept??

wow, amazing makeup!! That's an artist eye!

okay, I am officially referring to you as the MacGuyver of the aviculture! Just thought I would let you know!!

Hi There! It's awesome that you are getting into the nutritional aspects of your grey's health. I was also on the quest for nutritional "balance" and I stumbled upon a video of a process called "chop". http://parrotnation.com/2010/11/24/autumn-chop/ it inspired me to not only get as much education as possible on nutrition, but also look further into the world of aviculture! I got so much advice from this forum, and from other people out there, that it has made my journey a little bit easier. I even started my own blog because of it. Here's one of my many times making "chop" http://parrotearth.com/2011/03/28/chop/ It's really fun to make, inexpensive, and healthy as well! Hope all this helps! Congratulations on taking the right steps into your parrot's future!!

I use the same brand! I dilute it 2/3 juice and 1/3 distilled H20 and spray it on their undercarriage after I pull them out of the shower.... seems to work great!

Here's the latest on my blog Parrot Earth... thanks for all the information and sharing on how you all prepare your pumpkins for your pumpkins. haha! http://parrotearth.com/2011/10/27/howdy-pumpkin/

I bet you could do it with squash!!

Hi there! I was just wondering if anyone has any great recipes that they would like to share involving pumpkins, since we seem to be surrounded by them. I was just wondering how your grey's like them prepared??

wow... I want one! Good work with your design, and execution!

Congratulations!! Such a nice looking parrot!!

Here's the latest from Parrot Earth... it's a about how our little feathered friends can seem like they are fish from the Amazon River, you may know them as piranha. http://parrotearth.com/2011/10/17/once-bitten-twice-shy/ if you like Parrot Earth, find it on facebook, I would really appreciate it!! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Parrot-Earth/168066896604867 Thanks again for all of your kind words and support!

Sheldon our new Golden Retriever (8weeks) has made himself at home. We are keeping him away from the birds for the most part, no one wants to take a trip to the vet. The birds have learned to mimic his whining and whimpering to a tee, and think its funny when someone goes looking for the little noise making puff ball. Then of course they laugh like the old men on the muppets and go back about their business.

http://parrotearth.com/2011/10/11/i-was-here-first/