JDS5607

Black just seems so blah... Anyone use a print lined with a darker (but not black) fabric on their cage cover? I was thinking of doing a fun print on the outside, with a dark lining on the inside.

Oh- and get used to those "You did what for a BIRD?!" I get it all the time. We spent $900 on our grey and another $300 on a cage, plus God knows how much on stuff! My friends think I'm crazy- but you do what you do for your bird... just as you would your children

WOW!!!!! What an absolutely amazing story!! Aristotle looks VERY happy in his/her new environment! I love that you have an outside paradise for him as well as an inside cage- absolutely amazing. You seem to be doing everything WONDERFULLY so far! I'm very impressed! I hope this is the beginning of something wonderful for the two of you!

Sully didn't start saying actual words until he was about 10 or 11 months old- but even still- they were more like just the sounds without the word- I just know what he's saying bc he sounds like me, lol. He says "Sully-man" among other words a lot... and has said "I don't think so" once. I've read they don't really begin building their vocab until they are over a year old

Our grey has red freckles up and down his legs and around his chest too! He's over a year and a few months old and they have actually gotten more numerous. Congrats- he's different with the pink! lol!

Thanks for the advice Dave- I see where you're coming from. He used to go "WOO!" all the time, and now he rarely says it. It seems to be mostly whistles, high pitched sounds, and clicks. I'm really hoping he starts to pick up more words soon

That's a tough one. I had the same experience with my sun conure, Zoe-- only in reverse. I gave her to my father because of their love for each other when they visited, and to help get my father through his cancer treatment. Long story short-- Now whenever I go over there, the bird that once followed me everywhere, and cuddled with me, wants nothing to do with me- even bites at me. I will be interested to see what others say I would say just to sit down with "real dad" and decide together if he should have contact with the bird or not. I know it sounds harsh, but it's honestly it sounds like his involvement is depressing your grey... Is real dad planning on taking Buster when he gets on his feet or will Buster be staying with you? If he will not be taking him- your friend needs to back off, and respect your routine. If he will be taking Buster- you may need to back up a little, and allow that bond to happen with the two of them.

Sully did that to me a few times as well. If I don't hear him moving around or talking, I get worried enough to get out of bed and check on him. Usually, it's because one of the cats has moved the blinds next to his cage enough for him to see out the window-- and he's watching the birds eating out on the porch. Of course, like you, when I've been seen, it's all over. "hello! Hello! Sullyman!"

We aren't sure if Sully is a boy or a girl, and I don't think we're going to checking into it. I don't think it really makes much of a difference, unless you have a specific name picked out I know with some species of birds, girl birds are a little less friendly around mating time, but I'm not sure if that is always true

I'm concerned that if I talk to him when he does it, he'll get the idea that that's how he gets my attention. I work from home, so he seems to do it mostly when I am working... as to get my attention. This is a fairly new behavior, and I'm hoping to nip it before it becomes a real habit. He does it while I'm looking away- and when I look at him, he just looks back at me as if to say..."What? I'm not doing anything!" Funny, I suppose

Sully has found the one thing that plucks my nerves. Repeatative high-pitched screeches. Now, I know... he's a bird- but this is like... the same noise that a fork across a plate or nails on a chalkboard... and it's loud. I've been ignoring him when he does it. It's been two weeks. I've tried positive renforcement when he makes any other noise BUT that one... not working. HELP!

LOL! I love when they tell us EXACTLY how they feel

Beautiful! Love those dark black eyes!

You also may be making it too thin. Try to thicken it a little if it seems that your grey isn't filling up. I believe at 6 weeks it should be about the consistancy of thick applesauce. Am I correct Dave?

ah! I love the pictures with the flight suit! How lucky you are to have mastered that already!! She is absolutely beautiful!

Welcome!!! I think you should explain to your mom that this bird needs to be with it's flock- YOUR family!! Hopefully she will understand. They really are a joy to have in the livingroom or family room. If you must choose between the bedroom and basement- definately the bedroom! I remember spending most of my teen years in my room anyway I don't think it would be disturbing. If you're on a routine, say you go to bed at 11 and wake up at 6, your grey will fall into your routine and be just fine... plus he or she will nap during the day while you're gone! Do try to convince your mom to let him or her stay in the family room though, hopefully she will let him!

Welcome! So glad to hear you have gotten your first bird! It's just the start, let me tell ya! Haha, anyway, we love pictures- and would love to see Ms. Rose as she grows! How old is she?

I thought it would be fun to have a photo contest on my facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/JBSBirdToys Here's the contest: Enter your funniest picture you have of your bird, or birds! Whoever gets the most 'likes' will recieve a free 'Scarecrow' Foraging toy! The deadline to get your pictures in is 11:59 est. Thursday, June 23, 2011. Voting will begin today, and you can vote ONE TIME PER PHOTO until June 30, at 11:59 p.m. EST. This contest is only open to our USA and Canada customers! If you don't have facebook, you can also enter via e-mail, and I will post it on facebook for you, to recieve votes. To email, please email it with your name and birds' name to customercare@jbsbirdtoys.com

I have that same cage for our Nanday. It's a great cage! The one he has is a little thinner though. He loves the open top because he can get out if he wants or just hang out up top. Our Grey doesn't have a play top- and he does just fine If you're grey is one that likes to sit a lot (which sully doesn't) This is a good cage for your grey. If he's more active, you may want to go with a play top. Also, you could also put a playtop of your own on top of a dome-top or flat top cage

The ends are plugged with wood caps with holes drilled through.. much like the one at the top. I'm wondering how long it will last with Sully. So glad I have such a good test bird

It's not big enough for a grey to crawl through- more like a lovebird to crawl through I wonder if they make these things big enough for a grey to crawl through though... hmmm.. Sully loves it...

As far as the cage goes- I have a dometop, and Sully is perfectly content with not having a playtop... but we do have a playstand near his cage he gets on

AH! I had so much fun making this! Don't mind the bar code- for some reason I always forget to sand them off before pictures!!!

Good Morning Lizzy! First, let me thank you for taking in two birds! I have done so in the past as well, and it's one of the most rewarding experiences! Now, KoKo can easily be freaked out because Grey's are super sensitive. If I were you, I would put there cages where they will be permanently, and leave him to get used to his surroundings. Leave the door closed so he feels secure, and maybe later this evening open it, and just walk away. Let him come out. He may not come out for a few days, or he may pop right out and talk! You never know! Food- There are TONS of suggestions on the forum for feeding. I would suggest introducing cooked veggies (warm, and soft) at first. Koko and Eggburt may never have had anything but seed. Peanut butter (organic, no sugar) is a good way to get them to try things. If they won't touch the raw food, cooked veggies are better than no veggies. We steam carrots for our Grey, Sully... and he LOVES them- but wouldn't touch a raw carrot to save his life! Over the next few days, just kind of leave them both be. Do you have other birds? If so, you need to keep KoKo and Eggburt away from your other birds for atleast 30 days. This is to make sure there are no diseases or illnesses transferred. Also, a vet check should be performed by an avian vet The puffing up MAY be a defense mechinism, but sometimes grey's just do it when they get excited or happy. If he is snapping at you or getting big around his head and swaying back and forth- he may be trying to intimidate. If the pupils of his eyes get super tiny and he gets very still- back off.. He's probably going to bite. Usually birds can be cage aggressive. Try letting him come out on his own- he may be much nicer outside of his cage. Even some of the sweetest birds will bite when their owner reaches for their food or water. On another note... To me, Koko's cage looks too small. It would be a great sleep cage, but not a good play cage. Although I would wait awhile before getting him a new one, he needs a bigger cage. He needs lots of space, toys and fun things to do in his cage so he can be content, and not begin to pluck or stress. I know all this seems so overwhelming, but it's important to get these things going so Koko and Eggburt have a smooth transition! As for Toys- Any wood toys are GREAT- You can often make toys yourself (check out the home made toys section of the forum) out of cheap things around the house. I wouldn't push too much on them at first though. Maybe a couple of new toys this week, and adding a few more next week. Good luck! All of us are here to help!

I agree with Judy May I suggest that you hold off on training to "go potty" on command until you build a relationship with your grey. They are mor apt to learn tricks and commands when they trust and want to please you Congrats on your new grey!! I know you'll love having one! Make sure you get lots of toys to keep him occupied during his first few days. Leaving him in his cage for a couple of days will assure he can get used to his surroundings and he will be less freaked out if he is given the chance to come out on his own, rather than being taken out Good luck! Post pictures when you can!