kingsnake

Let’s look over some of the facts that some of the cage dealers post on their website about stainless steel and in the end you can decide for yourself if stainless steel is right for you. http://birdcages4less.com/FAQ/index.html Stainless steel cages are ideal because they last so incredibly long- you might not have to buy another cage again! Stainless steel is a more expensive metal than wrought iron (powdercoated) cages are made of. Stainless steel cages are resistant to rust and there is also no paint to peel off, or for your bird to chip away at (but be careful of cheaper imitations, which are plated in SS- rather than our stainless options, which are all full stainless steel throughout!- nothing to peel). Stainless steel also has no texture like paint that holds poop and dander, which makes it easier to keep your new stainless steel shiny and beautiful for years! http://www.bird-supplies.net/stainless-steel-facts.htm Stainless steel cages are much better looking. This is important if you're getting a large cage that will become the focal point of a room in your house or apartment. Stainless steel cages are a lot easier to clean. They can be pressure washed or cleaned with strong non-toxic cleaners. After time powder-coating wears off, stainless steel doesn't. Even the safe powder-coated cages have small levels of toxic components in them. Stainless steel bird cages expose your parrot to none of these components. Stainless steel cages generally last 4 to 5 times longer than powder-coated cages. Plus they look good their entire lifetime, rather than looking less & less attractive the longer you have them. Stainless steel parrot cages rust & deteriorate at a much slower rate than powder-coated cages. Once a powder-coated cage gets nicks & dings, it's only a matter of time until the rusting begins. So let’s look at these claims. So is stainless steel really better looking? This is not a fact but a matter of opinion. I prefer an all-black bird cage to match my furniture and style of the room I am putting the cage in. Is Stainless steel easier to keep shiny and clean? If everything is equal and you clean the whole cage down it is true, you can use a high pressure hose on stainless steel and make the job of cleaning the cage a little shorter. But you can also keep powder coated cages looking nice for years too but as time goes by the paint breaks down and rust will take over. Is stainless steel better because it doesn’t have toxic components like powder coat paint? Stainless steel does contain Chromium, if someone claims their cages don’t have Chromium in it than it’s not stainless steel! Does stainless steel last 4 or 5 times longer? Depending on how you take care of it, it could. However if you like the look of a new cage every now and then, then stainless is not for you. Also the price is higher, around 4 or 5 times higher. So in the end you are not saving any money buying a stainless steel cage if the facts are correct that Stainless steel last 4 or 5 times longer because you are paying 4 or 5 times more for it unless you get a cage on sale or one is given to you. In the end you will have to decide what is right for you and your bird. With that being said, I bought my first bird cage in stainless steel. I prefer quality metal (IMO, Stainless steel is better than wrought iron) and the fact that paint will, over time chip and the cage will begin to rust and it’s not like I will waste my money on a new cage at the first sign of these issues and I don’t want an eyesore as my cage starts to break down over the years (Granted this may take years to happen).

Thanks, and I will be excited to post pictures! WOOT! I think the only thing I dread is cleaning up the poop! I can handle te mess a bird makes but dreading the poop on my back, couch, floor etc..lol. But at least I realized it will happen and went ahead and am still getting a bird. Yeah, I hate introductions on forums just incase the site sucks and I leave a few days later but I really like the site and people so far soooo...

I've been on the forums for a week ish now and thought I would do the introduction thing. I've updated my profile and added a few pictures of my animals. I will add more as I go so keep checking back. (I own 25 snakes from Kingsnakes to Cobras and a few other odd things) I should be getting my Grey in 4 weeks ish.

Those of you who state their Grey picked them, I would like to hear how. Was it something along the lines of, (Hey, she didn't bite me and was willing to sit in my arms?) or was it some other way?

In the past I have bought cats and dogs and its been great having the owners tell me, this cat or dog really has a great personality and is going to be a really great pet. So far the breeders have been 100% correct where I am 0% correct picking out the best dog or cat for my family. I'm curious if parrots are the same way (just weaned)? Will a breeder who spends time with the birds for the first 3 or so months beable to tell what bird is going to be a good pet with a cool personality?

Before I decided to get an African Grey (Coming next month) I asked my better half, when I die (I'm 38 1/2) in the future will she take care of the bird. I told her that this bird could live 40 to 50 years and may out-live me. She sort of joked, "NO". I asked her why; she told me that I can't die lol. Owning an animal 20, 30 to 50 years is a very long time. Knowing someone who has owned an animal this long just gets me thinking of the love, dedication, commitment and sacrifices someone has had to make over the years. I'm curious if anyone here has owned an African Grey 25 + years and wouldn't mind posting pictures of their bird. It would be great if you could post pictures of the bird as a baby throughout its life. I also think I should say good job to those of you who have kept a bird this long.

I don't have mine yet so I guess that is my goal, I have one but it's still an unweaned chick.

I agree, if it's your bird now and forever you have every right to step in. If the bird is going back to him then I would say let the keep their bond.

Me and my boys at the ST Augustine Alligator Farm (June 2011)

Yeah, I'm getting one weaned around July 20. I go through the samething with my snakes... You collect what? You drove from Florida to PA for a snake expo? You have Cobras? Are you crazy blah blah blah. I've heard it all my life that I just ignore the comments. I heard the same thing when I drove 1 1/2 hours away to buy a Rottie that had a nice price tag (Turned out to be the best dog I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE!!!!). Do what you love and enjoy, life should be enjoyed the way you want to enjoy it, I can't wait for my bird.

That's aweome man! I'm excited for you after reading your story and it built up my excitement even more knowing my bird will be here in a month WOOT! Congrats man!

Thanks everyone... I contacted my breeder today, I have first pick of the 3 babies. I hope I can tell what one likes me.

Geee wiz, and my home owners wont insure my Rottie who has never bitten anyone! ;-)

Ok, maybe I should have put it, "What % of AG start mimicing human speech". I just was wondering if their has been any sort of study. (EXAMPLE: 1 out of 10 AG will mimic human speech etc...)

At what age did your bird start to talk? (First word)

That's freaking awesome!

Thanks for your story Louie; I hope others follow your lead as stories like this do help. To be honest, until today I really thought if a birds wings were clipped they could only go maybe 15 feet or so. I thought this because when I was a kid my Stepmom had 3 cockatiels and all their wings were clipped. At times they would try to fly or get around but wouldn't get far before landing on the ground, of course they were indoors and I never really thought about them being out in the wind.

Curious, those reading ths, how many of you had your African Grey escape or get away for whatever reason and was able to find them (Did the bird fly back to you while you walked around the neighborhood or what?) or has anyone had thier bird show back up in the yard later on? Just curious and would love to hear these personal stories of people finding their birds again after they flew away.

I understand these birds are intelligent and also are not domesticated however I hear their bond to a person (s) is very strong. I'm curious why they fly away...? You can let a cat, dog and Pigeons out and for the most part they have intelligence to come back. Is it that Greys really don't belong in our homes and should be left in the wild? Kind of reminds me of the attitude, you have me as your prisoner now but if I ever get the chance to escape, I will. I'm not trying to start an argument, just trying to understand. It seems Greys are very smart but still so dumb? I mean heck, Rats that get loose usually stay around the area where their cage has been. I use to breed mice and rats for my snakes and a few rats have escaped but would live under the shed or in the shed walls, they had every chance to run into the woods behind my house but would live around the shed for months at times till I finally could catch them. Of course other animals like snakes, mice or whatever will take off if they escape but I wouldn't say these animals are smarter than a Grey.

Before I really even got started I knew I would never clip. That may change one day but I don't see why I ever would right now. I guess if the bird I am getting is an idiot and always flys into walls or whatever and falls to the floor I may clip for his own safety.

that was cool to see.

I've been reading over the forums and understand not all greys will talk but many will copy sounds from around the house. I'm curious what the % is (if anyone really knows) of greys that don't talk? Just curious

I went with this one, if anyone else needs a cage and likes this one I found a $15.00 Discount Code: WELCOME http://www.birdcagesgalore.com/bird_cages_Stainless_Steel/8003628SS.html P83628SS Play Top Bird Cage in Stainless Steel Dimensions: 36 " x 28" x 66" Inside Height: 47 " Bar Spacing: 1 " ■FREE SHIPPING ■FREE Toy ■Retail 2199.99 ■$1539.99 Thanks, Scott

http://birdcages4less.com/page/B/PROD/Stainless_Steel_Bird_Cages/PA5738_SS http://www.birdcagesgalore.com/bird_cages_Stainless_Steel/8003628SS.html These are the 2 I am looking at now, IMO they are about the same but 1 is higher than the other 38' VS. 47' Inside H. and about $150.00 ish more for the 47' I thought I would post and maybe get some advice just incase I over looked a key feature that I may want over the other. In my readings, CAG should have a min. of 40'H but 2 inch probably isn't going to kill them. The price isn't an issue, just would like some feedback please. Thanks

I read late last night about potty training. I'll go with the advice that I should look for signs that the bird is about to go rather than potty training to hold it. Also I am looking for play top cages... I figured leaving them alone would be best but I also read where a chick said to take your parrot all around the house when it first gets home... So much info out there, not saying she is wrong but I guess it’s just up to the owner to do what he or she feels best in some cases as everyone has an opinion that's may be different than another.