kingsnake

Cool, I know how stressful a noneating pet can be. Try buying a few $3000.00 Mangshan Vipers that refuse food for 3 to 4 months when I got them home. hope she starts eating soon. BTW: A Mangshan viper is in the picture to the left of this post <<<------------

I also was looking at the picture and thought, why isn't she flying away? Maybe I am missing something. I read on and agree with Zoom. So what's up with her not taking off?

Nice... actually it's very nice (The new/old cage you got).

AWESOME! Enjoy!

I found a couple... http://www.perchfactory.com/bird_hanging_play_stand/hanging_bird_play_stand_gyms.htm http://www.everythingbirdie.com/crflhapeform.html Thanks

I have a wraparound couch, a 64" TV with floor standing speakers and sub, a 265G saltwater aquarium along with a bird cage in a 13 1/2 X 14 spare room. I AM COMPLETLY OUT OF ROOM! To be honest I had to kick the end table and lamp out to make room for the parrot cage! What I want is a separate play stand that I can mount to the ceiling (Corner of the room) I might be asking a bit much but have any of you seen something like this? Thanks I found this but am not sure it's what I want just yet, I was hoping for a tray to catch the bird poop. http://www.perchfactory.com/bird_hanging_play_stand/hanging_bird_play_stand_gyms.htm

I'm a visual learner. That doesn't mean I don't own plenty of books but my head is numb looking at all the CAG Youtube videos lol. I stopped by Books A MIllion the other day and didn't really find anything that I wanted. I guess an online search is needed.

This is not proven but I have the same issue with some of my snakes. Before anyone says a snake doesn't have intelligence, please own them and study them. You might be surprised to know some snakes guard their eggs and newborns and I have even trained a 5 foot Eastern Diamondback to poop in the yard and not in its cage. If you want to research the intelligence of snakes, start with the King Cobra. Snakes may not be as smart as a human or Dolphin but they do have an understanding of some things. Back to the point. I'm not saying this is why your bird poops in its bowl because I am not there to observe your bird but... IMO many animals do not like to live in or around their own waste. Maybe they have realized that the bowls are taken out and cleaned a lot more than their bedding. Could it be they know if they poop in the bowl that we will clean it out sooner than the tray below? I have some snakes that have very good aim and hit their water bowl every time and it made me wonder. First I thought it was nasty but maybe there was a reason they were doing this and that their pooping in the bowl is not as dumb as it looked??? The cage stayed clean and I was forced to clean the bowl. Not every snake does this but enough to make you wonder if they catch on to routines. To a point it’s no different than those animals that poop around the same place each time (Cats for example). Of course I may be giving animals more credit than they deserve but it's a thought.

Was Isacc weaned?

I think most animals have a comfort level. Once born a bird or dog only knows a few things, it’s feed by its mother (and or dad in some cases) and it has brothers and sisters (Ok, they know they have others living with him/her). Animals like this will look for reassurance. What happens when a bird falls out of the nest or a kitten or puppy feels it is too far away or lost? It calls out for its mom or cries for help. When you bring home a puppy for example all may be fine but once the lights go off the first few nights that puppy will call out for its mom and litter (That's what it is use to). It may be hell for some of us those first few night lol. Sure, IMO I even think birds are use to a routine and stress in a new home and around new people.

I agree, it all comes down to opionion and what works for you errr I mean your bird. I don't think anything is perfect but...

That valve is the same kind I use to use for breeding mice and rats for my snakes. I checked the prices, seems very over priced for what it is and the materials used. It's the best valve I found for rats and mice but they do have their issues. Like Rats, Birds can lodge stuff in the valve and will drip till it is empty. Probably not as much of an issue with this product as it is with my rats who had a 5 gal bucket full of water. I went a year without problems but after time I got poor water flow and had to take the valve apart and clean it. Sometimes the valve would leak for no reason, you might want to buy a few extra valves to have on hand. You may never need them but just incase. Besides that they were great! I'm thinking of the glass bottles with a ball for water. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002Z160G/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A21IRDTVIXZJ89

Interesting topic. Reminds me a little of my other hobby, collecting snakes. You might have heard about the large constrictor ban in Florida. The snake gets a bad rap but it's not the snakes fault, he is eating and doing what he does to survive. It's the ignorant people in this world buying a pet because it's cute or cool for the moment and don't care about the well being of the animal or is ignorant to what the animal will need as it gets older. Sure, there has been times where I have had Venomous snakes from around the world that I no longer want, that's part of the hobby (Venomous snakes IMO do not bond with their owner). However, I damn sure don't let it go in the backyard and hope he makes it. I find a home, sell it to a breeder or something. I can understand someone buying a bird, cat or dog and later on not wanting it or can't have it but be responsable and find a home for it, don't just let it go. If the bird will outlive you, find a home for it before you pass away so when Death does come calling the bird wont get screwed!

I know the guy sort of that I am getting my CAG from. His best friend is also my friend and person I get some of my Venomous snakes from. They came over one day to pick up some Venomous snakes and cages I was giving my friend. After we loaded everything up he showed me 3 baby CAG he had (He spends a lot of time with these birds, bringing them pretty much where ever he goes). He asked if I wanted one. (I've always thought about getting one however the time was never right or I was not mentally ready for one) My neighbor/friend down the street has one. I know someone who works at a Feed Store and she is able to get CAG and about 1 1/2 years ago we both put a dept down for one. A week or so later I told her I was backing out. (I had to hand wean the babies and after thinking about it more I wasn't comfortable doing so plus deep inside I knew I wasn't ready) However my friend got his and I have watched his CAG grow up and feel now is the time to get one. Now back to my friend who asked me if I wanted one of his 3 baby CAG. I asked him how much and he told me he is selling them for $900.00 but for me $800.00. I asked if they would be weaned before I get one and he said that's the only way he sells them. That made me feel much better. Anyway I held one of them and everything seemed right, I was getting excited! They drove off after talking for about a half hour. OH CRAP! Did I just agree to buy a bird and not ask my other half???? Oppps! SO for 2 days I was worried about breaking the news to her. I could hear her now... ;-) So on the 2nd or third day we started talking about how bad I wanted a cat. (I've been bugging her for YEARS for one but she can't stand them and always tells me I can get any thing else but a cat). We went through the whole song and dance again so I said, you know what else I have always wanted? She asked, what? I told her nevermind you will just say no. (Keep in-mind that I have the whole garage for my snakes, 26 snakes and 27 large cages that are still empty) I also have 2 large saltwater aquariums being put together and a Rottie). She said, just tell me. So I told her a CAG. She told me she didn't care and I said really? I swore you would say no. She told me her mom has had birds all her life and was use to it. I said cool, I know a guy who is selling some and I'll be getting one. Few, that went pretty well. However she told me it would be my bird and my mess to clean up... ok baby! A week or so later I upgraded my TV to a 3D Plasma TV and had tried to sell my older TV on craigs list with no bites. I thought I would ask my friend if he wanted it. long story short he took it, he will be giving his friend who has the baby CAG the $800.00 and I get a few other things we worked out in this trade. So in the end I sort of got my baby CAG for a used TV lol. He/she will be here around July 20th ish. I'm getting very excited each day that passes. It's almost like getting ready for a baby to come home for the first time. I got the cage pretty much ready go with toys in and around it. I told the guy yesterday that I didn't want the wings clipped and have read the good and bad about doing so but that I am bird proofing my room. He was cool with it but still thinks clipping is the best way. I'm taking care of fans, plus I have a storm door on the front door and a sun room blocks the back door and it always stays closed. Long story short, the bird has to make it past 2 doors on each exit of the house. Yeah, I can tell I am ready for a bird after waiting 38 1/2 years of my life.

I like reading stories like these. Thanks for sharring

A good read on this topic.... http://theafricangreyparrot.com/forum/index.php?action=printpage;topic=682.0 One of the most common health problems that veterinarians encounter in birds is bacterial infection. And, the most common source for infection is the water bowl. An open dish is a breeding ground for bacteria. Most birds will poop or dunk food in their water dish. These organic materials feed the bacteria and cause them to grow even faster. Bacterial growth is measured in doubling time - the time it takes for bacteria to double in number. Doubling time for many bacteria is 2-3 hours. This means that when you put a clean water dish in the cage at 9:00 AM, by 1:00 PM there is enough bacteria growing in the water to potentially cause illness, even in a healthy bird. This situation is completely avoided when using water bottles. When putting the bottle on your bird’s cage, mount it above a perch the height of your bird’s head. Be sure to fill the bottle completely to prevent leaking. One or two drops will escape to form the vacuum. Switching your bird is very easy. After all, hamsters drink from a bottle and we all know that birds are much more intelligent than hamsters. It is my theory that birds are able to smell water. Simply showing birds where the bottle is in the cage will be enough to get them to switch. Just tap the little ball on the end of the drinker when your bird is watching. The noise and bubbles will make your bird curious. When your bird beaks the ball, water will come out and your bird will immediately be on a bottle. If not, then remove the water dish in the morning. In the evening offer your bird water in a dish. If your bird does not drink form the dish, then it probably drank from the bottle during the day. If it does drink from the dish then it likely did not drink from the bottle during the day. Repeat demonstrating the bottle to your bird until you are comfortable that your bird is drinking during the day. Nearly all birds will drink during the first day. The bottle must be changed every day. The bottle and tube need to be scrubbed and disinfected daily. One of the most often concerns expressed is that 'My bird likes to wet its food'. No problem. Birds can still wet its food with the bottled. Candy, our resident Congo African grey nearly always wets her pellets and treats. She simply gets the food in her beak and then drinks from the bottle. There is no reason not to put your bird on a bottle! Article by Dr. Gregory Burkett, Board Certified Avian Veterinarian

where is it located?

That's a freaking BEAST! If I had the room I would jump all over it. Cupid, time to break out the credit card!

Kim, I almost bought that cage but I needed the door higher with my couch so close to it.

Thanks Cupid. I paid $975.00 for mine but if they took off the $25.00 extra it should be $950.00. I'm going to try and work with the company, the ball will be in their court. We will see if they do the right thing, but thanks for looking and if they don't I will check back and research those above cages. Thanks again. I just setup my Saltwater Fish Only aquarium yesterday. I will post pictures below. It's of course cycling now... When I put the live rock in I saw 3 hermit crabs, a baby starfish and some Coralline growing but I don't think the crabs and starfish will make it but if they do that will be awesome. I'm setting up the 265G as you see in the picture above next to the bird cage as a reef tank. I should have it going in a week or so, waiting on parts. I love my man cave and I like having my animals close.

Got my cage, what a nightmare but it's a sign things are getting closer! I'm not going to mention where I ordered my cage from, due to the fact I plan on calling them and demanding they fix a few things and or give me a discount. I’ll give them a chance to do the right thing. I went looking for a stainless steel cage and the one I wanted is out of stock almost every place I checked and or was hundreds more at other places. So I found a company who stated they had one but they used it as parts for people who had issues with their cages from shipping or whatever. They told me they would pull parts from another cage (Dome cage, I believe) that was the same size. I figured why not, they really didn't give me much off ($25.00) for doing this but I figured everything should be new and in good order. I got it today, a bar is bent, they sent 5 bowls (3 large and 2 small) however this is a play top cage and the 2 small bowls should fit there. This piece must have been taking from another cage because the bowl holders will only hold the larger bowls and not the small bowls. So I need to get 2 larger bowls or have them send me the correct piece that will hold the smaller bowls. I have a ton of extra bolts, screws and nuts. I'm missing wing nuts, the front lock isn't working correctly, the part you grab to pull the lock open falls off and I had to buy washers. We got it together but damn! This is an A&E Cage. I'm guessing their cages are pretty good but the company I got it from isn't great. If I was doing something like this I would damn sure make sure everything is perfect and correct. I must also give A&E an F on their instructions. I'm glad I was able to figure a lot of it out but damn! Anyway... Here it is. I'm getting excited!

I would stick to well known companies, they have more to loose if word gets out their cages are crap or are not made from the meterial they advertise. Discount cage companies have little to loose, if they are suied they close shop and could reopen under a new name if they want. I buy quality over crap if I can.

Chromium was the issue in the Julia Roberts movie, Erin Brockovich however I believe it was the waste soaking into the ground water in very large amounts. It's not much of an issue in stainless steel and is considered safe for birds. Remember that many people use stainless steel pots and pans to cook with. Powder coat isn't 100% perfect either but is considered safe for birds too...

Cool, found one a mile from my house. I've seen it twice before driving by but never knew when the next one would be and always forgot it was going on when it came. Now that I'm into the hobby a bit more I think I'll stop in. thanks

Is there a site that keeps up of the bird expos happening around the country? Is there a large Bird Expo in Florida? Where and when? I know my hobby with snakes has expos all over the contry but one of if not the largest expo is held once a year in Daytona, Florida... Rows and rows of snakes, WOOT!!!! ANything like this for birds?