Shelly Yokum

Will he let you touch his foot? If you could pick up a foot and say step up with lifting him a little he will catch on. I would never use that clicker on my parrots, but that is just me. The person you are talking about has a pretty bad reputation. If you have to towel him, pick him up, take him away from the cage, somewhere he can't see it, and work with him one on one. I would have no distractions, such as tv, radio, other pets or children around. Just one on one with you and Sid. When he does what you want give a treat tell him he is a good boy. Remember baby steps and be patient. Be consistent in your training. Once you start, DON"T stop. I would do this for just a few minutes first day, a few more minutes the next day, until he catches on. Greys are very intelligent it shouldn't take long.

Do you cook these greens first? Do they need the raw leaf? As you know I am waiting on my grey a couple of months and want to know what I can, so I make fewer mistakes specially with the diet

I took Prince on his first outing today, and made a post about it. I am so glad that the cold weather is gone for a while.

I think the tricks are cute, but do you have your bird as a member of the family or an entertainer? I think some have went over board. However, I do think it is good for them to learn somethings, and maybe one or two trained tricks is good for their mind. I have Prince and Roy, and the only trick they know is how to make the biggest mess possible, and they are my world. Just one of my kids. I have tried to get Prince to pick up his toys and put them in the bucket, and he will do one, maybe two on a good day, and then goes and gets into trouble.

The weather was so nice and sunny, so I thought just a quick trip to the bank, to see how Prince likes to ride. His car perch had arrived so here we go. A little nervous at first, but looking around, and trying to talk. We arrive at the drive through window, the lady begs me to bring him in. Well, here we are in the bank, as soon as we walk in Prince leaves them a nice little present. I quickly clean it up with a paper towel in my pocket. A man steps out, and hold out his arm with a piece of orange, to my surprise, He goes right to the man and has fun with the orange. He soon told me, that he had a green wing at home, then it made more sense to me. Soon after prince was passed around the whole bank. On the way out, he was reached a sugar free sucker. Now candy is something I don't give him, but before I knew it it was gone. Most of it on the floor, but he had fun chewing the stick. So I thought he loved the bank, I will take him the laundry mat where I have some friends. He climbed and played all over the baskets, and helped on lady unfold her socks. I thought this birdie is loving the attention, that I can't wait until the next time we go out. We are back in the car and in minutes back home. He didn't want to come off that perch. He wanted to go more. After about 5 minutes of him arguing with me I got him in the house. I put him down in the floor, and he just stood there, like Hey MOM lets go.....

My Ruby Macaw, has NO idea he can fly, I am going to try this with him and see if it works.

That was so cute, thank you for sharing.

I listen and watch Marc Marron, on the Hallmark channel nearly everyday. He had a segment of Grey's he stated that for the first year a Grey needs a smaller cage for security. Then to get a bigger one after the birds first birthday. Do you all agree with the pet doctor?

Just any where that he can't see his cage

Roy, the ruby, has came a long way. Today he got on his play gym, without and help or coaxing. He came to me later without pinning the eyes. I want so much to just cuddle him and tell him that his a better life now, but I am a bit afraid of him just yet. He doesn't like to be petting much around his back and I am not brave enough to try the top of his head, except when he is in the cage. My son Austin was so jealous of Prince when I first got him. I slowly worked the 2 together. My son loves to play with him. Prince isn't to wild about him holding him, but goes along sometimes. I have lots of pictures of the two playing in the floor together that I just love. I will have to get them uploaded and share them with the group.

I just loved that, thank you so much for sharing. I hope that I can cuddle with my grey like that.

Looks like he has you right where he wants you. Your husband probably don't take his crap, or show that he is afraid of the bites. My b/g doesn't let me get him off my shoulder very easily. So for a while when he would take up to my shoulder I would stop him and take him to the cage. Wait just a little and go back to get him. I did this over and over. Then I went to letting him up there, and then try to get him off, if he wouldn't let me I would get close to his cage and he would get on the cage and then I would put him back in. When I got him to where he would let me get him off my shoulder, I gave him praise and a treat. now I don't have a problem.

If you put salt around the walls, it will get rid of them, but birds don't need salt. I have seen on the packages they are pet safe. I would move him so that he couldn't chew on them.

I would try moving the new bird to a new area, somewhere that she can't hear or see him. This would be easy for me because I have a 2 story house. See if that works. I would also give her extra attention, make her feel special. Talk to her more and let her know she is still loved.

Oh, I know the feeling I will be the same way once I get Valentine. Prince finally said Love you today as well. I had the doors and windows open letting in the fresh air and he started chattering, and finally he said love you, just as plan as day. I did my happy dance over and over.

Have you thought about getting the window perches? I had a conure once that did this. I got some perches with the suction cups put them in some of the windows, he quickly learned to land on the perch instead of crashing. I love the beaded curtains, but my ruby Macaw would have them destroyed in no time.

Thank you this will be so helpful when my Valentine gets to come home and I start the diet routine. Looks a whole lot better than when my Macaws just crumble them throwing them every where.

Hello, and welcome. You will see this is the best forum you will fine. I haven't been here long, but I know I am one of the family, as you will be too. If you ask your specific, every one will give you their advise and opinions. Congrats on your CAG.

that was too funny, but the man was lucky not to be hurt.

OK I have to add my 2 cents worth. I don't have my gray at home yet, for it is being weaned. I have done tons of research (nothing as helpful as here) they can be as smart as a 5 year old. Now the 5 year old's that I know can carry on a conversation, they know things. I have watched video's of Einstein, the famous one, and the not so famous one on youtube.com. The doctor put things inside his beak, and he could name them by feel and taste. The have been know to have a 1000 word vocabulary. They may not know exactly what the word means but I think they can grasp the concept. If the bird ask for a grape, and you give it a grape, and one day ask for a grape and you give an apple, I think they can know the difference.

Oh, thank you all so much, I just love him already. I will keep everyone posted, and send pictures as I get them. At this point, I don't care if its a boy or girl. I know the next 8 weeks will feel like years.

I have this posted on my facebook as well. I really hope this Little Man is found, and safely returned home.

I have also read that birds, and including the gray's can be a one person bird only. Some even thing that they bond easier with the opposite sex. I am not sure I believe all this, even thou it maybe true in some cases. I think over time she will come around. I would try being her care giver. You be the one to feed her, give treats, bath time etc. Birds to come around, and associate good people with good food. That is how I am winning over my adopted Ruby. Boy is he a hand full. That story for another day. .... hang in there this may be the biggest challenge you have ever had, but the winning reward will be well worth it.

I talked to my breeder on the phone this evening, she had just finished feeding my baby. I hear it crying, it sounded so sweet. I can't wait to bring Valentine home.

Thank You, this was a great idea, I fully enjoyed it.