Japie

So here goes... I will throw an idea to you! Dunno if you picked a name yet... The Great African Zulu Chief was called Shaka, his mother was called "Nandi" (nun d). A quick, very condensed history lesson. Shaka was an extremely brutal, but yet respected Zulu chief... but we all know that behind this successful man was his loving mother... (Google this to get the whole bam shoot!!)

I have been wondering about this babbling too!! Japie also has this chipmunk voice and we are certain he says "hello Japie". He is 20 weeks and we are around him all the time... Enjoy !

there is much debate about hand feeding, but to answer the question on hand... I still hand feed our baby, with a bent spoon and mix his formula with cold water until well mixed, microwave for 10 seconds and 'whoala'! Japie does not like the formula cold, so heating it a little does the trick. Haven't used a temp gauge, but the finger trick sounds right... (he does eat Weetbix, cereal, cold and enjoys this??)

there has been so much said on the topic, that I feel more confident to pursue my quest in teaching Japie all the inns and outs of being a fully flighted friend. for now, we have to sit it out and let those clipped feathers grow out. but in the meantime we have bonded properly without the immediate fear of escape into the 'bushveld'. (where we live...) he has caught on to the 'gliding' thing vs the free flight which he had. in this way I feel (as first time grey owner) that our confidence would grow together. thanx for all the input!!

Hi there! Not to sound like a prophet of doom, but getting a grey is like choosing your life partner! Or like having a baby or marrying... We have a CAG and he slotted in with our family very easily, with Mom, Dad, two small kids and a Scottie. They are amazing creatures and have different relationships with everyone... The do need a helluva lot of love and attention, but as you have done some research, this is not new to you. If and when you do get a Grey, you will have a friend for life!!!

good to see new people joining in these 'chats'... this has been a good source of info. I do a daily (more than once a day at times) scan so see whats new and read EVERYTHING. Dont always have answers as Im a newby too! Enjoy!!!

Hallo... I'm in two minds whether I did the right thing. Japie has realised that the frantic flapping does not result in 'lift-off'.He looked a bit miserable?? He played on the tree thing all day and didn't even attempt to glide from it. Maybe the whole vet experience unsettled him a bit... I have posted another pic of him with our daughter, they seem to enjoy each others company. She sings little made up songs to him constantly and he listens with great interest... 'Japie is die mooiste pappegaai in die hele wereld' Will keep you up to date as soon as he does a gliding move... Cherio!

thanx for ur reply. I feel very sad today after taking Japie for the wing clip... I think the way I feel about it is nothing compared to how he feels, thus I am sure that it was the first and last time... cannot undo the days events, but needn't repeat it... he is still a baby and hopefully we will learn together our mistakes.

Today we had Japie's wings clipped... I felt rather sad, but the vet assured me that it was the safest route. We had lenghty debates over this in the past 5 weeks, since Japie took to the air all round the house... The extreme heat was getting to us with doors and windows closed whenever Japie was not 'indoors'... I am glad we gave him the oppertunity of 'free flight' for a while. Just thought I would share this...{Nature-00020085}

Out of pure ignorance... Why would one need a UV light?:huh:

I just cannot believe the bargain I got hold of today. thought I would share this as it relates to this topic... I have been avoiding the 'birdie shop' for a while, but today HAD to walk past it in order to buy bread... and then of course I HAD to just look around... In the far corner of the store I saw a 'tree thing'... I asked about the price and the lady told me that it was damaged... ha ha ha, the damage was at the bottom of the stand, a piece of the bark had come loose. Seriously, I would not have even noticed it. The store lady was appologetic and said I could have it at cost, again I think she got even this price wrong. I had seen one at another store for R2000. (more than the price of a bird) and I was offered it for R200!!! needless to say that we spent most of Sunday carefully selecting branches from a Sikle Bush to make our own!!! I will take a picture and post it soon, but for now Japie is not sure of this 'thing'...:woohoo:

hie hie hie....:silly: Yes, our home language is Afrikaans, and we can DEFINATELY converse easily in this language. We farm with Dutch people and we understand each other just fine. 'Ons boer met aarbeie.' Ek gaan probeer om die 'climbing thing' te maak met hout en draad... Hope this made sense!! Goeie dag!{Feel-good-000200A2}

I have tried the link from this post, think one should just go to www.bushveld.co.za Select trees, then 'Sickle Bush'.

Howzit, I'm hoping FairY reads this. I have found amongst many a tree that can be used to make perches and that 'climbing thing'??!! I am adding a link to a picture of this 'Sickle Bush'. I got a branch at an avian pet shop today and recognised it immediatly as it grows abundantly in our area. (will get husband to saw some large branches on farm for 'climbing thing') So that is my story for now!! thanks to everyone who makes this forum worth a read.{Feel-good-000200A http://www.bushveld.co.za/sicklebush-tree.htm2}