CRYROLFE

Well, the bird behaviorist paid a visit to Tesla (Pepper) and after getting a really good bite, and poor Tesla breaking a feather.....he finally stayed on the T-Stand and stepped up. Now we are clicker training him to come to a perch on the cage door, and from there we will be opening the door, and THEN we will try to get him to step up on a perch or stand. All of these steps will take at least a week or two each. The barking in the background is our annoying Boston, Bender. He was VERY jealous not to be at the center of attention. Tesla did tons better than we thought he would. Tesla has not been handled since he was about 6mon old. He would NEVER step up since he was a baby, so it was a very stressful day. [video=youtube;El-Ch3VHTRk]

Well he has bitten people quite hard in the past so I don't want to start that up. He has climbed down from the cage on day 2 (I"m sure he's looking for his past home or something familiar) and once on the floor I thought I could get him to step up. Well, he just has a freak out and flops all around to get away, even though I was calmly sitting there. The ONLY way to get him to step up is to remove the cage floor (the bar part) and hold it out for him to step up on. He is also afraid of perches and mom says it's because she once frightened him with one when he flew off and she tried to get him to step up. The Bird Behavioralist is coming over on Thurs. so I'm going to show her the video too. This video was taken when no one was in the room at all. It's just set up in the corner. Thanks so much for any advice....my Hahns is VERY easy to read and if he was doing this it means he's about to fly off looking for me, so I'm pretty sure he wants to fly but probably not to me...since he doesn't really know me. He probably wants to find his previous mom.

Not sure about him wanting to be picked up since no one has ever picked him up yet....unless he was at the vet in a towel (which I'm sure he hated ) He was hand weaned but then the owner that bought him as a baby only kept him on the cage and never worked with him. I have carpet all over that room ('cept right behind his cage) so hopefully that will work. I'm planning on clicker training him so I'll be sure to post his progression videos with that.

Well I think he may be nervous when he does it and I'm around him. He doesn't allow anyone to pick him up or touch him (yet) so I'm sure that's not what he's wanting....lol. He does look like he wants to fly off though, so hopefully he doesn't start that since it's a real pain to get him back on the cage. I have to take out his bottom grate and hold it out for him to step up on....sigh.

I love your diet! I haven't really given him any spinach yet.....but did give him some broccoli and some banana. There is so much info out there that it can really get confusing!!! I really want to do the best for them.

Hi guys, I am going to be going to Whole Foods this weekend and buy tons of things for my new CAG to eat. He has been with us for 4 days now. Currently I have been feeding a Hahns Macaw (4yrs) and he eats the Birdie Bread diet in the files (the one made from scratch) and add veggies to it (froz ones) and also a Bean Cuisine that I get at the bird store. Zoopreem Avian Entrees is always available as well. He also gets almonds, banana, broccoli, and cherrios on occasion. The new CAG is eating Roudybush and spinach, straberries, grapes, bananas, pasta and cheese ....not the best I know. This is what his former owner fed. I want them both on a great diet and I'm going to stick to a daily routine for them. I plan on making Shauna's mash diet and the made from scratch bird bread. I can feed them in the morning, but I normally only feed them that. There are pellets in there all the time, but I don't get home until 5 or so and at that time, I may give them a bit of what we are eating if it's healthy for them but that's it. Adding kelp and Apple Cider Vinegar (tiny bit) on top of food. So does this plan sound like a good one?? Mash in the morning Birdie Bread later when I get home (or should I just give both in the morning?) Pellets all the time. Thanks so much for any help! I am very routine minded, so if I can just get a diet plan for them, I will strictly follow it. That's how I am with the dogs/cat.

UGH....now how did that happen...lol. It's up now....so sorry. Everyone says he looks very happy....he is still shivering when I am close to him. Hopefully that will stop someday.

Here is Pepper (or Tesla) really puttin' on a show for the camera. My daughter set it up on a tripod and went to sit in a chair. He is very curious about the camera (it's really little....a FlipVideo) and at the very end he asks "Whatcha doing?" This is his 3rd day in our house and he's really coming around. His cage was a complete mess when I got home, so I think he's a lot less stressed. I wish he would eat more pellets though. Yesterday he was talking like CRAZY! He was also doing all sorts of whistle songs included the Star Spangled Banner! He also said "You dork" which cracked everyone up...lol.

Well we have a friend named Nikola already. My daughter is leaning towards Tesla so maybe I'll say that for a week or so and see how it sounds.

Here is Pepper's cage in his new home. His window is a North window so not sure if he'll get enough light. Here's his favorite hangout on his porch.... Here's poor Keegan, now in the parlor where there isn't as much light. I plan on getting them lights, but really have no room for the strip light kind. What about the dome types that I can hang from chains over their cages? I know it'll get really dark in the winter and I hate to leave the blinds open in case it gets chilly that way.

Well, I posted the question on FB and now after tons of replies we like......*drumroll* DATA (can't get much smarter than him) TESLA (Let there be light!)

Thanks! So far we like Vincent (Vincent Price) but our daughter doesn't like it DeNiro Newton Socrates Keep em coming!!! Thanks!!!

Hi Guys, Well, we now have our very own CAG and his name is Pepper. He is 7yrs old. We really aren't too fond of the name Pepper and have been trying to come up with a really unique and cool name for him. He was born around Halloween so we were thinking of Vincent Price and Edgar Allan Poe. We also really love the name Dexter. Maybe after someone very intelligent (but not Einstein ....too many) like Newton or Lincoln. Would love to hear ideas.....

Here is Pepper on his last day at his previous home....he's quite the looker.

Here's my mug....and my son Bender the Great!

Here is a video of Pepper (haven't thought of a new name yet) our new CAG. He is 7yrs old. [video=youtube;0JJ8Z9-0tBg]

Well, of course she'd like for me to get him today. She is a bit OCD and when something gets into her brain she has to do it now. The plan is to leave him alone for awhile and keep him on his same schedule....same cage, same food etc.... I will update as I go....picking him up tonight. I know this is all not the most ideal way of getting a Grey....but nothing in my life really goes according to plan.

Well, he is coming with his own cage and 2 rubbermaid containers of toys....lol. They switch them a lot. That way he'll be happy with his own "stuff" My Hahns was a little egg when I got him... He was as easy as pie. I'm a bit spoiled with him.

His previous owner says he is used to being out of his cage on his play stand on top all day long. I don't know how this will go in my house and worry that he'll get into trouble. How do you think he'll adjust to only being out when I'm home after 5pm?

Oh you will be BOMBARDED with dozens and dozens of photos....that's for sure. Just found out he is a CAG and is 7yrs old (maybe sexually mature?) and I'm going over today to measure his cage. I'll take a video for you! Of course he HATES the camera so we'll have to work on that part if he's going to live with me....*wink*

I do get to bring 2 of the dogs to work everyday....so that really helps. I can't imagine what they'd do if I couldn't do that....esp when they were growing up.

Hi guys, We are thinking of adopting an older bird from a friend (3-4yrs old). He is used to being on a Play stand on the top of his cage all day. He gets along with their daughter (who is going away to college) and lets her hold him, but no one else. They say if he ends up on the floor that he will step up onto an offered perch. I've read that the first couple of weeks in the new home are very important to setting up your rules and can help to correct previous problem behaviors. I am planning to bring him home on the weekend so that I'll have 2 full days to spend with him. What are the main things that I should be doing first? I figured the "step-up" command, but when should I start? I don't want to freak him out anymore that he will be already.

Sooo pretty!!! I have that hanging tree too! My Hahns loves it!

Here are the rest of our critters. We just share their home and clean up after them.

I am a newbie here but would have to commend you on how well your birds are all getting along! I'm sure this is no common thing! I can barely get my dogs to get along....lol. Well done! I can tell you have a way with birds that's for sure!