BenzMama

Shucks! Missed this one as we've been packing for our move.

Thanks for the time frame & suggestions. Plans were already to use Latex for ease of application. We do have a contingency plan, if needed, for our fids to have a temporary stay in a loving & suitable environment. I'll just have to MAKE the time to paint prior to all living creatures taking up residence. Certainly don't want to create even more angst, especially for our 3 Greys, than what this move will already generate. You know, this is just another consideration which has to be taken into account as parronts. Most people wouldn't think twice about doing a little home spruce-up with fresh paint. We always put our flock's welfare first as they totally depend on us to keep them safe.

Sullivan: "Clean as a whistle ~ which is what we both do in the shower" (Disclaimer ~ Not being biased, I just have to live with both of those old men clean from the shower. )

We anticipate moving within the next 4-5 weeks. Good news is that our fids will have their very own room on the main floor of this very large house. (Doing the happy dance over that! ) However, there are at least 2 of the 4 upstairs BRs which I'd like to paint prior to moving. Plenty of good ventilation is available. Note: I've always added 1 Tbsp of vanilla extract per gal of paint to get rid of fumes. We expect the move to take about a week of back-and-forth ... move some outside & storage items, move household + flock, come back for the residual. Depending on many factors, I may not be able to get the painting done prior to us & flock moving over. What is the safest & soonest time frame between painting upstairs then moving the flock in downstairs? If painting prior is not possible, should there be any problems with residual fumes? Actually, there is also a door at the top of the stairs which can close upstairs off. All 4 BRs upstairs have large windows on 2 walls, so there would be good cross-ventilation. We also have several fans + ceiling fans will be installed. I just don't want to take a chance on harming our flock! Your input is sincerely appreciated ~

Such a handsome boy! Welcome to you both. You've landed in a wonderful & educational place here.

Jewel/Sweetie Pie came into our home at 2-1/2 as a foster who had been relinquished to a rescue foundation. She was a little neurotic bundle of fluffy & plucked sweetness. So wanting to trust ~ but so wary! During our first visit to the avian vet, he suggested we quickly get another Grey (huh?!) for her to learn appropriate behaviors from observing. Our thoughts were to get her settled first. She was such a joyful addition to our home that we adopted her after the 6-mo foster period. Well, just 10 months after that, we rescued another older (approx 20) Grey. On the evening we brought Toby home, there was an e-mail asking if we could foster another Grey from the same foundation where Jewel was relinquished. Dorian was a 14-yr old cast out from the only home he'd ever known when he started to pluck. We took him in. He was also recently formally adopted & we can't imagine our home without him. On the positive side, Jewel finally began to talk at age 3+ after having Toby & Dorian sharing our home for just 4 months. She still remains #1 in the pecking order as she was here first. Her cage is opened 1st, she's fed 1st, etc. to lessen any feelings of being passed over. Generally, our 3 are tolerant of each other but certainly not best buddies. While there is no problem in them all being out together, they generally do not interact with each other up close. We continue to work with all of them. It took over 4 months just to get Dorian to willingly come out of his cage. Now he immediately exits & perches on his open door. They each have specific needs & issues which we realize. And, yes, if we had it to do all over again, we'd do it all over again. While you are looking at adding a baby, our experience may help another looking at adding an older Grey. We had each Grey enter our home with knowing we would do the adapting & adjusting to fit their needs. As far as being a little cuddle-bug which you've found in a baby and desire again? My little Sweetie Pie is the most loving little girl. She always lays her head in my hand or on my shoulder for 'rub-rub-rub' as she indicates her pleasure with 'ooooh' the whole time. And Dorian will also quickly lay his head down for some cuddle time, either while on his door or on my shoulder. Toby? That rascal will get his head scritched & then go off looking for mischief to get into. "I love you' in his sweet voice gets him out of trouble every time. But, hey! They're our fids & we love them unconditionally.

So glad you've joined! Bless you for doing research & making preparations first. Sadly, too many people will rush out & get a Grey just for the novelty ... then realize they're not up to all that is involved. Feel free to ask any questions. The willingness of the members here to help is what drew me & keeps me. Plus, nobody thinks I'm totally nuts for always talking about our Greys.

Oooooh! You can just see the cheeky personality in this happy boy. Congrats on Cosmo. And thank you for opening your hearts & home to another rescue. Looks like he's quite at home with Billy & Echo, too.

Our little Pom has to take meds for seizures. He gets his phenobarbitol pill in a bit of cheese, twice a day. Not to be left out, our mini-Doxie thinks she also needs 'dosed' along with him. She gets tidbits minus the pill. For several weeks now, Sullivan has joined in. "Who wants drugs?!" gets 2 little dogs & 1 old Zon responding. Sullivan will go to the upper corner of his cage & flip himself nearly inside-out ... down in the front, coming up nearly laying on his back, legs never move. Then he looks in anticipation to make sure his 'trick' will also get him a tidbit of cheese. And it does ... twice a day. After I hold both hands up & say, "That's it!" all 3 of them then ignore me & go about their business. Been trying to get a pic of him doing his 'trick' for cheese. For an old Zon, he's quick! We'll continue trying ...

He's 46 now, going on 47. Don't know his real birth date, so we use Sept 1st as we got him around that time.

Sullivan: "Clean as a whistle ~ which is what we both do in the shower"

Judy, it is corn cob 'bedding' for critter cages. This was the 1st time we'd seen Toby playing on his back, so I grabbed the camera. Strung toys were shaken, balls were flung & corn cob stuff went flying. Yeah, it was a very large time playing! Meanwhile, Dorian & Sweetie Pie Jewel kept me busy fetching balls they were tossing.

I only speak Parrot-ese on days that end in 'y' ... and only between the hours of 1:00 and 12:00, morning or evening.

And she is even careful to look both ways! Great pics of her 1st day on the new job.

May your lives be enriched for years & years, filled with much love & companionship. Gilbert is such a handsome guy & it's obvious he has tons of personality.