Sherrie

OH and one other thing that I totally forgot about! with it being cold, Greyson of course doesn't get much time out in the sun. The vet said it is not the same as sitting him in the window.I always thought that was ok but he sd it is not cause thru the window he's not getting the UV rays enough.. He sd he couldn't stress enough the importance of sunlight especially for African Greys. He told me to get a UV light and put on him at least 15 min a day! I have seen some in magazines..(Foster& Smith etc) but they are really expensive does anyone else know where I could find one fairly reasonable? The vet said that alot of times your Greys can suffer a version of (SAD) seasonal affected disorder/depression and alot of times if they just had 15 mins of lighting a day they would be less aggressive, moody, bitey. I told him yea I get that way too but it's usually PMS'ing!!!!! LOL.. Thanks guys!

Well we both made it back in one piece!!! Greyson did very well and I was pleased with the vet. He was extremely good with Greyson and had a wonderful personality I have had some really bad vet experiences in the past and Greyson and I both liked him very well. He said Greyson is very well socialized and was the most pleasant exam he had ever given to a Grey. I could tell Greyson was nervous but the only thing he did to the vet was pooped on his hand!!!0(That's my boy!) The vet said that Greyson was completely healthy; just small for his age. He weighed in at 386 gms. He is in no way malnourished and vet was amazed at his appetite and diet. He sd I was a great Mommie and I almost busted out in tears with pride!!! 0 The vet and my hubby both laughed at me but he could tell just how much Greyson means to me and sd that I was just an overprotective/worried mommie-- I had told him about losing Robyn recently and just needed to know if Greyson was ok and he sd he completely understood! THE EXAM As far as the "swallowing" parts of his toys, he said that it is quite possible that Greyson did swallow pieces but since he was not showing any signs of distress (which would have showed up in a couple of days in his opinion if there was a blockage) and all the tests came back normal, he really didn't see any need to take an xray at this point. its been about 3 weeks since he was playing with this toy so IF he had ingested them he wouldn't be eating as good and there would be some evidence in blood or pooh.. If he stops eating or he gets diarrhea or blood in his pooh then we will need to bring him back but at this point he just wants to have a wait and see approach, which I am totally ok with that. The only part of the exam that he didn't like was when the doc had to put his hands around his neck and stretch his body out to exam his abdomen and showed me how to properly conduct this hold-- He def voiced his opinion abt that hold and when it was over, he flew out of the vets hands and landed on me and would not let the vet touch him again 0000(I COULDN'T BLAME HIM) Greyson is not traumatized by this visit as I thought he would be, I do let fear override my little brain sometimes but I would have to say he's more pissed than traumatized .ha ha 0 .. The ride home was extremely quiet and he just sat there staring at me but as soon as we got home he began to vocalize and eat and everything is just fine now, and he is taking a nap0 Thank you all for your concern and easing my fears about the visit, I was more nervous abt the visit than Greyson was ,but it's only because of the really bad experiences I have had in the past with other vets! (another story altogether) This vet is a keeper, I really really did like him and that's unusual coming from me!

Well aint that somethin!!! Nice to meet you Neighbor!! My daughter lives in Aiken county and Im just a stone's throw from there!! We should get together and introduce our babies and have play dates!!!! lolol Looking forward to getting to know you and your flock!

Hi Morana, His previous owner had this brilliant idea to give Robyn Children's cereals..(fruit loops,captain crunch, cheerios,rice crispies etc..) there were about 6 dif boxes of cereal this guy would mix up "to have a variety" of foods.. His thinking on this was if it's "healthy" for children then it should be "healthy" for birds! you wanna hear something else? he was a manager at a large pet store chain here!!!!!!! TOTALLY UNBELIEVABLE FOR ME TO FATHOM EVEN TODAY!!! it took me about a month of just taking him off cereals completely and introducing him to real food for him-- He never had another bite of junk again once I had him-- but the damage was already done-- He was in pathetic shape-when I got him-- I cry even as I write this-- He was such an awesome bird and I miss him deeply-- I am very honored to have had the time I did with him and He was a really happy boy and lived out his days knowing that not all humans are bad and he learned how to be a BIRD!!!!

Greyson's 1st checkup is tomorrow at 10am! I am really excited and Nervous at the same time. Can you guys give me some pointers on how to keep Greyson from being so traumatized by this visit? I know they will take blood and do an xray... What will the basic exam be like, ie@ what particular things will he be doing to Greyson? How do they do xrays on a bird, Do they have to sedate him? Im really worried about that. Thanks a bunch! Will keep you posted!

Those seizures are traumatic for both bird and owner! My 28 yr Mccaw had history of siezures but this was not mentioned to me at the time that I rescued him so the 1st time I witnessed one was just devastating for me. It seemed like when ever he got overly excited he would have one. I learned that his diet (before me) consisted of high amnts of sugar which thier poor systems can not tolerate and eventually damaged his liver. The last seizure he had caused his brain to swell and I had to put him to sleep. So PLEASE everyone...SUGAR IS A NO NO TO YOUR BIRD!!!! Good luck with Pickles!

Hmmmm. It is possible that he is just not used to your presence and it might be scaring him when you approach- Did you get to be with your baby alot before you brought him home? try walking up to his cage and talking to him as your approaching him to see if that helps. but it could be that he just hasn't adapted to being home yet.. but yea, if he lowered his head down to be scratched, he is coming around...Greyson is a huge suck up tho-- whenever he has been bad (he bit a little too hard or something) and I tell him "bad boy" or "no bite" he puts his head down for a rub then blows kisses!!! They are amazing little devils -- your going in the right directions so dont worry,,it wont be long and you will have earned his trust and become wonderful friends-- just keep doing what youre doing!!! Good luck!

Hi Neil, Are you sure that he was being aggressive? Greyson is just over 4mos old and he still uses his beak to do everything but sometimes he doesnt realize just how hard he is using his beak to grab onto me--- Could it be that he associates your approach as feeding time and he is just exhibiting the motions used when they feed? I know sometimes it can appear to be quite an aggressive thing---- but to answer your question, if it is aggression, then you are doing right!

So Very very happy for you!!!! You Know the waiting is going to drive you absolutely nuts tho,Right? ;-)

Not Weird at all! Greyson cuddled and snuggled like that too but he is starting to gain his independence and not "needing" it so much anymore. Nightime he still wants to get on the couch with me and "play" and then he will snuggle for awhile. He has to have his beak hanging off my bottom lip and just like Judy and Robin's babies, Greyson likes his head completely cradled in my hand and my thumb rubbing his cheek-- Pure Quality time for me and him!!!-- The other kids will get over their jealousy -- Just remind them of when they were little and the cuddling and snuggling you did with them-- This is Greyson and me The day I got home from having back surgery. He stayed like that for hours-- I think he is 8 wks old here--Enjoy the snuggling while you still can!!!

If the Grey is so wonderful as the ad implies or states, then WHY would you want anything else? Not understanding that logic at all!!! --> So why not keep the Grey and get an Eclectus??? ....to me it's like saying -- carried this infant in my womb for 9mos., gave birth, breast fed and Child is well mannered and smart but ya know, It's just not what I wanted, will take another in trade!! call????? Argggggh

Hi Tanyab, If your baby is only taking a bite or two, then he is telling you that he really wants to be a big boy. at 10 months old he should have already been introduced to solids(fruits,veggies, etc) and should be eating on his own...My Greyson is 4 mos old and he did the same thing. When I noticed that he would only take a bite or two on his nite time feeding I just stopped with the formula feedings and he ate his solids from then on out. But he was already eating his solids in the mornings. If you have not introduced him to solid foods already I would not suddenly stop the "formula" just cut his morning feeding of formula and let him eat solids during the day then give him his formula at nite for a couple of weeks.--Hope this helps

That was just too funny!!! lol

Hi Judy Greyson had been on his play tower one day and I noticed that he was kind of "playing" in the water bowl so I thought to myself...hmmmm... let me try something---So I took him to the sink and perched him on the seperator of the two sinks and just let the water run ever so lightly and then I would just sort of sprinkle water drops on him and he took to it immed-- I have never had a bird take it upon themselves to take a bath It has always taken extreme patience and perserverance on my part to even get them near the water..It was like it was "'acid"" to them..LOL-- But Greyson is one of a kind for sure and def showing the intelligence that I hear so much of in Greys---Try doing that with Josey and see what happens-- oh one other thing-- when he was a little younger, I had him in the kitchen ALOT and he would often sit on the counter to watch me do dishes so that's why he was not terrified of the sink--(but he's really not terrified of anything, now that I mention it!!!!))-- Let me know if you decide to try it! Thank you to all for the comments-I am truly loving this site and loving everyone's stories and learning about everyone's babies!!!

What an absolute Beautiful girl Rosie is!!!!! Thanks for the pics

Welcome Jeff. I am so happy to hear that you are volunteering at a local rescue center. I have always thought that is the best experience anyone could ever get before actually owning one so I do commend you! It is true what Judy sd about ppl rushing out to get one and not knowing anything about birds It is always the bird that suffers. You probably see that alot by being at the center too I bet.. This place is great ,,learn all you can but I do need to warn you that all my research I did before getting my very 1st grey ,Gresyon is all that I learned....He did just the opposite..:-)...lol...Luckily tho I have been around birds all my life so I did know a little somethin about them and their care- but as long as you get the "basics" then your new baby will gladly teach you the rest and you will find you'll be a very quick learner!!!! ....trust me!!!! -- Greyson is a Congo and I have absolutely no exp with the TAG"S--- but I do know that as far as the difference between the two as far as temperment it's pretty much the same I don't think one or the other is either more or less in personality or temperment I think it is all in how they are socialized. I have never heard anything as far as the males liking females etc...I do think that is a myth-- The best thing I have enjoyed, is getting Gresyon while still a baby. If you don't know anything about feeding a baby I would recommend you wait until yours is weaned but very important to socialize him/her to as many experiences as you can like different ppl and taking him to a different room in the house- I can take Greyson anywhere in the house and he doesn't "freak" out.. He will take any toy with out hesitation...etc He is just a joy to my heart and the friendship I am building with him is unlike any human relationship I have ever known-- extremely rewarding in a way unknown to anyone who has never owned...er umm....let me rephrase that....that has ever been owned by a companion bird..I wish you the very best in your journey and I already sense your gonna be a great "dad"---

Hi Thomas and welcome. I too am pretty new here and have recently became mom to a 4mos old CAG that I have handfed since he was 3 wks old..... I found this site searching for all the info I could find on Greys. African Greys are by far a breed all their own! Ive had many birds in my life and also have been around them my entire life but Greys are truly very special. Give your wife some time. she's probably more fearful of them than anything and she will learn that once this little girl begins to trust you both. it will be a relationship unlike any other. It is important that your wife include herself in the care of your new baby starting immed... let the baby go at her pace not yours ...(very very important) if you force a grey to do ANYTHING you lose any trust you may have already recvd so just let her come to you when she is ready but by all means encourage her to interact with you both. I know in time things will work out- lots of good info here so try to learn all you can and always ask questions.. Good luck to you my friend--

Well isn't it a small world? we're only 2hrs away from there! Im just South of Columbia right off I-26------Yep I know exactly where Summerville is and been there a couple of times, beautiful countryside out there--My hubby's family live in Beaufort and Walterboro so were practically neighbors then! :-) very glad to meet you and your flock!

Thank you Morana, Yes Robyn was a magnificant creature for sure and is deeply missed every day.Greyson is bringing more and more joy with each and every day. He still has his little teddy bear, He makes sure that it never gets soiled, how it does that is beyond me cause I get soiled all the time!!! lol..I love looking at everyone's pictures too. I cant get enough of them---!!!

When I met my new baby for the very 1st time, he was completely "nude" !!! as soon as I held him the name "BELLA" popped into my head... I don't know why but just looked like a "BELLA" He was only 3 wks old at the time. I so wanted a girl *****so for the next couple wks I would occasionally call him "BELAS" but most times it was just "THE BABY" we got the DNA on 10/24/10 that "IT'S A BOY!" and I was telling my friend that I had to come up with a new name for my son that is a grey... and WHAMMMMMMMO...IT HIT me like a tornado---- GREYSON was born!!!!! -- I found a site that gives the meaning of your name and found it quite interesting:--( I looked in the forum rules and couldn't find anything against posting links so I hope it's ok)-- http://www.kabalarians.com/cfm/DisplayNameAnalysis.cfm •Your first name, Greyson, creates a friendly, sensitive, and practical nature. •You gravitate to positions where there is stability, security and opportunities to work with others to make steady progress. •You could be very skilful in dealing with technical and mechanical matters. •You appreciate details, precision, and system and order. •These qualities, however, can make you too fussy, from time to time, over inconsequential matters. •You do not take to changes easily and can be quietly stubborn. •You do rely on the support and encouragement of others as there is an underlying lack of confidence with this name. •For the same reason, many times you procrastinate over making decisions. •The name Greyson creates the urge to be friendly and diplomatic, but we point out that it limits your versatility and vision, tuning you to technical details.

Thank you Robin! Love all your pics -- you just have some awesome babies and I bet ya got your hands full with them all! so youre a fellow SC 'inan.... what part?

Ok was able to put some pictures in albums on here. there is one called Greyson's journey and the other is of My beloved Robyn-- let me know if you are able to view them..

ok for some reason I am not able to get pics on here or in my uploader for this forum. I keep getting error msgs. I have tried to resize them in photobucket and have reduced them as low as I can go to be viewable but still getting errors.I will need to check and see if there is some problem on my end..maybe my settings are off or something..in the meantime.... Greyson has his very own facebook page...I started his page when I got him so you will be able to see him from 4wks of age to present thought it would be a great idea to record his journey......so if you have a facebook account and would like to see his pics-- I have made his page public so you do not have to request as a friend to see him. just do a search for Greyson Ard- his profile pic is of course (him) an African Grey!!!!! enjoy--- Im usally pretty savy on the computer and not understanding why Im not getting the hang of it but I will figure it out... Have a great day my fellow Greysters!!!!!