JeffNOK

My CAG Gracie is one year old. She has always eaten pellets along with a vegetable mix. Recently I have added a few things to her veggies. Twice a day I feed her a dish mixed with corn, peas, carrots and green beans along with some egg white, a small amount of cooked turkey breast or chicken and some cooked pasta. Recently she hasn't been eating her pellets much. I also notice that her morning poop is more watery than before. If she only eats the veggie mix with egg, chicken and pasta described above, will she get enough nutrients? I know the pellets have all she needs, but I'm not sure my mix does. Should I feed her the mix only once a day and hope she gets hungry enough to eat the pellets? Should I add something to the mix or take something out? I'm willing to cook more and be creative for Gracie's meals, but I don't want my life to turn into "Top Chef: Grey Edition".

I don't think you will get much if any support here for your plan to flip flop the time clock. Please remember that there is a time for everything in life. Perhaps this isn't the time to get a grey. One thing you will see over and over in this forum is that we adjust for our greys--not vice versa. They are the number one priority. I know you are excited and optimistic that you can do this, but please reconsider for the sake of this little grey who has no choices or voice.

I'm sure this is just a phase. It's not uncommon for them to stop talking or stop saying certain words for a time. My CAG is a year old today and only says a few words, but we communicate with lots of other sounds and whisles are are great way to communicate. It is all part of the mix.

You've gotten some great responses. I hope that you can get a sense from all here at the forum that "It's all going to be OK"! A wonderful life awaits with baby and bird. Have a great adventure!

Emma is a sweet beautiful grey. Thanks for posting. My CAG is still just a baby. One year this week. You and Emma seem to have had many great years together so far. I look forward to that with my Gracie.

I don't see any significant differences between the two. Both will be about big enough.

My CAG Gracie will be one year old on Monday. Wow! Time flies. Anyway, she has begun speaking a little bit. She says: "Step Up" "Wanna Step up" "Barkley" (The name of my parents' dog), "Doggie", and "Toy". Her voice does not sound human-like as is often seen with greys. She is pretty clear in her pronunciation, but she still sounds very parrot-ish and robotic. She reminds me of the hawkshead parrot that shared a room with her at the breeders. At what age do their voices begin to sound like their owners? I mean, I really don't care if she sounds like me, but I know that greys do usually sound very human. I am guessing she is still developing the muscles necessary for that. Whenever I watch Dan's videos and hear Dayo--he sounds exactly like Dan. Is this something that occurs after a few years? Just curious.

Welcome! Glad things are going well so far.

Can you just get a variety of perches that attach to the sides of the cage? Manzanita branch perches are great and you can get several different sizes. They may not extend all the way across the cage, but they will extend well into it and are stable when attached correctly.

I just took my female CAG for her one year wellness check. She was just under 400 grams. She is small, but the vet said she is in great health. She has gained 50 grams since I brought her home from the breeders. Harrisons sends out info saying that CAGs should weigh 554 grams??? That's a bit on the precise specific side. Wonder where they got that number. That is more than most of the CAGs here. Seems odd for a reputable company to put out such misleading info. Most websites give an average range of of 400-600 grams, but a CAG in the upper 300s (375+) is still normal. As others have said, there is a big range and it's not necessarily the weight that is an issue, but weight loss.

Yes--do that. Don't take any chances. probably some antibiotics would help prevent infection. Keep us posted, please!

Thanks for your candid response. You make a very good point about older versus younger birds. At this point toucans, toucanets, and aracaris are still pretty rare. You tend to just hear the happy stories of the sweet tame babies. It would be good to get more information about mature birds before considering getting one.

Ok Sarasota, after reading your post I did a little research and have to admit I'd like to know more! I had always heard that Toucans and Toucanets were not good as companion birds, but the sites I looked at definately contradicted that assertion! They get great reviews as companions. I have a one year old CAG. How would you say your aracaris do relating to you Greys? I didn't think I was in the market for a second bird, but somehow I'm just smitten with these little gems.

Really beautiful birds! They seem to be affectionate based on your post. Otherwise how would you compare their behavior and cognitive abilities to parrots? Just curious.

Please don't say you were selfish for posting. It's my honor to be able to pray for someone in a tough time. Sometimes we try so hard to be independent and shoulder burdens alone. I don't think we were created to be that way. When we lean on each other, everyone is stronger and more truly human. My prayers are with Java and you.,

I am an English teacher for international students. I correct grammar and puctuation every day. Of course I notice if a poster makes an error, either out of carelessness or because they might not know the rules. It doesn't irritate me though. I guess I would really hate for someone to come to this forum and feel judged for the way they put a sentence together. We are all just humans here with strengths and weaknesses. To me the greatest strength a person can bring to the table is kindness. Pet peeves are a fact of life, and we all have them. For me, I tend to share my pet peeves with an uninvolved party in confidence because I have no power to really change the things that irritate me. I think that is a "GREYT" course of action for me. I get it off my chest, and I don't hurt anyone's feelings.

I read your first post in the introduction room. Sorry to ask so many questions that you already answered.

Are you living in Ouagadougou? Are there any avian vets there? Where are you from originally? Is Burkina Faso your forever home? Sounds like you are the adventurous type. That should be an asset in your life with a grey. We all look forward to hearing more. Looks like things are going great so far. Bless you.

I haved heard that a full molt can take a year. My Gracie is about one year old and she started molting her downy chest fluff at about 8 mos. Now I am noticing the occassional longer feather on the floor. It seems to go slow and steady.

Fantastic! What a happy little fid.

Jeff did you get Gracie at a young age? I cant remember....? Ariel, I brought Gracie home at 4 and a half months. She never nips anymore. We are very bonded, but she doesn't like much touch with hands. I used to think she was very independent, but she keeps an eye on me at all times and wants me near.

It would be great to know more of Wozzie's history. How old is he? Was he wild caught? Has he had much human interaction? How is settling in with you?

July in Oklahoma is brutal. It will be 107 this weekend. I was born and spent my early years in Ohio and remember when a heat wave was anything over 90. Enjoy the summer. I'll be saving my beer on the porch for October.

I just google "Bird Fairs" and then locations...New York...Pennsylvania etc. You will get many hits. Also, see if there is an avian society or club in a city near you. They will have info.