GT_Jacket

Thanks guys for all your responses and advice - I realize and understand why a variety of perch sizes should be provided. What is a good range of sizes for a CAG? I hope to incorporate proper varieties of real wood (bought not homemade) in many of the perches but may build some of my own out of PVC (orbit, ladder, playstand). If an items size it set, such as wrapped PVC, where you have to choose only one size - is there a good target to shoot for? Brett

Thanks for all the warm welcomes. The wait is going to kill me but I know it will be worth it in the end -

Response from Harrison's Customer Service - ---------- Dear Brett, Thank you for contacting Harrison's. We recommend feeding High Potency Coarse as a year-round formula for African Grey's. High Potency Coarse (was a link in the email) Power Treats (was a link in the email) Though the formulas differ slightly we have seen larger birds do very well on High Potency Fine while some owners feed the Coarse to smaller birds. In an effort to save paper resources our Handbook is available for you online. Below I have listed the link for the handbook. http://www.harrisonsbirdfoods.com/handbook.pdf. Some birds will readily eat Harrison’s while others may require a little help. If your bird exhibits resistance to conversion try the following tips: http://www.harrisonsbirdfoods.com/ourfoods/index.html We thank you again for contacting Harrison's Bird Foods. Please let us know if you have any other questions. Sincerely, Bobby Pignato Customer Service Harrison's Bird Foods

Thanks all - I will try a sheet and like the idea of leaving the front partially open. Should I fret too much on the material or dyes used in making the sheet? Brett

I submitted this question on Harrisons web site - I will let you know what there response is. The "Dear Bird Guy:" part was automatically put into my question... "Dear Bird Guy: I would like to try both the high potency course and fine for my new CAG. Are they the same food just different sizes or is there composition different? Thanks, Brett"

Trust me I know - I have heard "when are you coming to bed" a few times already - Problem is I have another "friendly" reef tank forum I really enjoy also - Brett

The bird will be fully weaned prior to coming home with us. I though I read where others might have used baby food veggies for their CAGs. Fresh all around it is - Any recommendations for seed mixes to compliment the pellets I have chosen (I'm in the US)? I think I would like a no-sunflower mix. Thanks, Brett

I've littered some of the other forums on here with specific questions - thought I would "dump" the balance here - What are some of the more popular on-line vendors for CAG "stuff"? If you could only read 1 book on CAG's... what would it be? I really really want to leave our new baby flighted. We currently have 2 dogs (cairn terrier and black lab) with a "doggy door". The door has a flap w/ a magnet on the bottom. Anybody solved this dilemma or will it have to go (this will not go over well with the wife that has to let them out/in all day)? Thanks, Brett

Thanks Dave. I do have a couple of nice java branches for the cage. I will look into a mineral block. Do many use the sandy/cement type perches?

We will be getting our 1st CAG in mid July. Beak and nail care - what can I expect (besides them both being too sharp for comfort ) / what do I need in this area (such as a Sandy Perch)? Thanks, Brett

We will be getting our 1st CAG in mid July. We already have the cage. The cage will be in our den. Do most use a cover at night? If so, what is the preferred material type/thickness? Are there any "ventilation" concerns? Thanks, Brett

Just trying to get my ducks in a row pending the arrival of our 1st CAG around mid July - I'm planning on utilizing Harrison's High Potency for the pellet part of the diet. Do you start with the "fine" size and work up to the "course" size or just start with "course"? How long does a 5lb bag typically last when feeding just one CAG? Do you dump what is leftover in their bowl each day or just add to it? Any recommendations for seed mixes to compliment the pellets I have chosen (I'm in the US)? I think I would like a no-sunflower mix. Hoping to keep the sunflowers, nuts, etc as treats. I have a dehydrator. Anybody dehydrate fruits for their CAG? Baby Food - now I like this idea. What are some of the best ways to feed it? Water bottles - are these just for smaller birds - any need with a CAG? Cuttlebone - are these just for smaller birds - any need with a CAG? Thanks, Brett

Vetrap - local coop had it - Check Sisal twine, 1/4" rope and 3/8" rope - local ACE Hardware had it - Check PVC Cutters - already had from my fish tank needs - Check Active imagination - Check Free Time - who needs sleep - Check CAG - not for another ~3months - In prep for our new arrival (hatching in a couple of weeks with pickup mid July) - I'd like to build some various PVC playstands for them. I've read about using very small amounts of glue, letting the fumes vent, PVC vs. CPVC, wrapping, etc. Questions - What is the right size PVC for the areas that the CAG will be perching on - 1) If wrapped with Vetrap or sisal twine? 2) If wrapped with 1/4" Sisal rope? If I build a climbing net area out of the 3/8" sisal rope, how large should the "holes" be? I'm not talking a huge net - may 3' x 3' at the most. 3/8" sisal was the largest diameter I could find - okay to use on this size bird/net? I've seen Zinc plating being a no-no with SS being the best. What about Nickel plating? Also, I think I saw a clip that was aluminum oxide coated - this okay? This is gonna' be fun - Brett

Hello all - Such a great family you guys have here - It looks like we will be the proud owner of a new FULLY (see I've been reading ) weaned CAG. We, especially myself, have always wanted a "big" bird. I had a 'tiel growing up and very much enjoyed the experience. We started the research process and had selected what appears to be a good breeder in our area. It just so happens that one of the major bi-annual Exotic bird fair & shows came through our area (Nashville, TN) last weekend and the breeder was going to be there - Long story short - spoke with the breeder at length. They have 3 that should be hatching in the next couple of weeks. Once hatched we will visit, put a deposit down and then the long wait begins. The breeder is ~75miles away. We will visit as often as we can. Taking home is planned after our summer family vactation around mid July. While at the show we picked up a cage and A LOT of toys of various types, sizes, materials, etc. This is the cage we selected - http://www.aecageco.com/Play_Top_Cages-36_x28_Play_Top_Cage_with_1_Bar_Spacing_3.html The current Nothan flock, Me (Brett), my wife (Teresa), my daughter (Ashley - 15yrs), cairn terrior (Kindsey - 9yrs), black lab (Bella - 1 1/4yrs), long haired calico (Zoey - 6yrs) and a 90Gal Saltwater Reef Tank... I have a lot of questions building... Should I blast them all at once in one post or try to group them by type? Brett