Doug

Whoa, there. I'm a salesman, not a fisherman. I have SOME integrity and honesty. Somewhere... Let me look around... I'm sure it's here somewhere...

The risk of STAYING is much higher than the stress of moving. (Please get him away from the cigarette smoke as soon as possible!) Many people on this forum have rehomed greys from very difficult situations and the birds have become loving parts of their families. If your grey loves and trusts you, then moving may make him a little nervous at first, but it won't be that bad. Just constantly reassure Bandit and pay a lot of attention to him. He'll be happier in the new place just getting away from the stressful environment you are currently in. Tell us more about you and Bandit! With pictures...

NutMeg, I am so sorry to hear of the troubles your poor baby is having. Is the emergency vet a board-certified avian vet? I'm not saying anything negative about the recommendations from forum members, but I really think you need to consult with an avian vet.

At least you can trust an engineer. But I've kept a dirty secret from the forum - I've been in sales for more than 10 years. Ahh, the shame is strong but somewhat lessened by the burden lifted from my shoulders... From this point on, no-one will believe anything that I say...

From the link: Interior dimensions: approx 80 X 57.5 X 93cm That's a bit smaller than Ellie's cage (Ellie is also a TAG). Mine, from King's Cages, has inside dimensions of, roughly, 81 cm W x 64 cm D (32" W x 25" D). The bar spacing is 2.4 cm (0.94"). It seems that most recommendations for TAGs is to have a bar spacing of 3/4" (1.9 cm). The concern is that the TAG will stick its head through and not be able to get it out. I would prefer bigger, but I'm not sure where I would put a bigger cage! Of course, most days Ellie doesn't spend the whole day in her cage, so it isn't as critical.

I LOVE the playstand. But I am concerned. With all of the talk about aspergillus spores in peanuts, is there a risk of using roots for a playstand?

This comment confuses me. If you don't know if something is stainless (versus zinc coated), using a magnet will not necessarily help. Most stainless steel that you will encounter (outside of certain industries) is NOT magnetic. Magnetism is not an indication of quality of stainless steel. It is an indication of the additives. Ferritic and martensitic stainless steels are magnetic. Austenitic stainless steels are non-magnetic. Ferretic is cheaper, but is less corrosion resistant, due to lower chromium and nickel content. Most compositions include molybdenum; some, aluminium or titanium. Martensitic is highly machinable, but more brittle. Martensitic stainless steel contains chromium (12–14%), molybdenum (0.2–1%), nickel (less than 2%), and carbon (about 0.1–1%) (giving it more hardness but making the material a bit more brittle). The vast majority of stainless steel bolts/nuts are 18/8 austenitic, which means they contain 18% chromium and 8% nickel. Not magnetic. ALL zinc-coated steel IS magnetic, as is nickel-coated steel (which is considered bird-safe). Uncoated steel, "carbon steel", does not have a higher level of chromium like stainless does. The chromium in stainless steel forms a chromium oxide on the surface, which limits oxidation of the iron (rust). Also, "food grade stainless" is not an official (regulated) term, so you don't necessarily know what that means. In practice, it can mean either non-magnetic austenitic stainless (300 series which includes 18/8, 18/10) or magnetic ferritic stainless (400 series). (The percentages and fancy words are taken from wikipedia's article on stainless steel since my memory is weak...) I'm sorry for the diversion from the subject, but don't assume that magnetic means safer - it typically means it ISN'T stainless.

It looks like everyone needs to do some research at which games/apps are most fun (and/or educational) for our feathered babies...

While I'm in Virginia and can't help with the bird-sitting, I CAN welcome you to the forum! I hope you stick around and let us get to know you and your TAG. Names? Pictures?

Can I blame the military as well? I've never been in the military, but I can't very well blame my non-swearing parents...

I'm pretty sure that I know very little...

Nice. Can she climb up the main vertical branch or only up the ladder? I've been meaning to make a ladder but have been too lazy...

What a pretty gal she is!

That seems like an awful lot of work. I think it'd be easier to make wooden beads.

I look forward to stealing your ideas once you do!

Gotcha. A couple months behind Ellie, so we should see some of the same stuff as we go forward! (I don't remember whether CAG and TAG babies develop differently...)

I lifted Ellie's wings during her shower today but she wasn't really fond of that and tried to pull away a bit. I used the hand-held shower and got her chest and belly thoroughly soaked. She was very well behaved!

Ellie does that as well, but in reverse. She eats with her right and steps up with her left. Looks like the numbers are pretty even for the small sample size.

How old is Isaac?

How old is DJ? (I'm sure you've mentioned this, but my memory is less than effective...)

That's interesting. I wonder how many grey owners see this. Another thing to look forward observing as the years go by! Maybe Ellie will start to act like my shih-poo, Nala. Ellie gets very jealous when Nala is on my lap. (And vice versa...)

Very impressive. I meant strange in that he prefers to speak in your voice rather than your wife's voice. Especially since people typically say that parrots prefer to mimic higher voices.

4' x 4' x 8' high is the space where I have Ellie's playstand in my office. She uses 80% of the vertical space. (Although she spends a majority of her time in the middle 50%.) She has a boing descending from the ceiling and various perches on the playstand. Ellie's playstand only covers about a quarter of the footprint (2' x 2' base). You could fit a very large and complex playstand in that amount of space.

That must be it, then... Strange what they choose to say...

Does your wife not talk to Dayo as much as you do? (Or does your wife have a low voice also??)