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}

howzit DweamGoiL, this has been a very helpful site. We have a 14week old CAG. I seem to read everything that everyone has to say... and more! there is usually someone out there with good tips. Enjoy ur baby!!

hi! We also have a house full of boisterous children and a Scottie. Our CAG, Japie, has easily fitted into all this. He might do a whining imitation as his first 'word', but he is always happy and chirpy and seems to communicate with each family member in his own way. Our 2yr old son has had a solid nip on the nose, which sorted out the constant 'kissing' of the bird. Just my opinion that your bird will adapt to your surroundings and family. good luck.

just a quick update on the 'flying frenzy'... it has been soooo much fun with Japie flying in and around the house, he is exploring EVERYTHING, but never far from where I am. Must admit that he is not to keen on our two year old son, but has taken a liking to our daughter, 5. It would not surprise me if Japie does an imitation of some 'whining' soon... He loves cheese, whenever I grate some for samies or cooking, I have to be extra carefull not to grate his beak!! He likes to be where the action is!!:woohoo:

thank you so much Qweevox! those sites have been enlightened reading... we have been 'flying' almost all afternoon and japie seems to be getting more confident and responds well to us calling him and then flying to us...(all indoors though?) I am still reluctant to let him fly outside for the time being. (friends of ours lost their bird to an owl while sitting on their porch) I think this would be possible once we establish a trust relationship, and only time will allow this. It is sooooo amazing to get possitive input on the subject. I was dreading the day of having his wings clipped, but I feel so much more confident with all this new 'knowledge'... Thank you, thank you, thank you!! And yes fairY, I would love to raise my baby as a free flying family friend, no offence to those who choose to clip...

Howzit fairY... Dont mind at all, have the same question in mind. So many sites have pro's and cons on the subject. I am hoping to get it 'straight from the horses mouth'. I have seen the pics of the 'free flying CAG' on this site, but we have lots of pradators and this is a bit of a concern. (sounds strange, but I'm talking about eagles etc, we live in a rural setting) Soooo many questions........... Still, any ideas out there??

Japie has been doing quite a bit of flying since discovering this new ability of his... I do not want to clip his wing too early... Or at all for that matter, as I feel that it is a great confidence booster for him to fly... If I decide to clip, when should this be done?? If we dont clip... What advice is there out there?? {Nature-00020095}

hi momy442000! I am also raising a baby grey,he (we think its a he) is only 12 weeks and helluva tollerant towards our kids, 2 & 5. We are all involved in the whole raising thing and I am sure that enough love and attention will be of benefit for your new 'addition'. I am no expert and this is my first bird since childhood (long, long ago...) Go with your gut and read, read, read... there is so much to learn from what others have written. enjoy! {Feel-good-000200BB}

today Im just writing to share in our experience. 'Japie' was 12weeks on saturday. He has been exploring all over our house and streching his wings in 'practise mode'... Yesterday he took his first flight, not very far, but from the floor to the couch!!!! We were all so delighted!!! The kids have been flapping their arms with him and when he suddenly took to the air it was amazing to see. It felt like seeing the first step of our children... {Nature-00020085}

What a surprise to all of a sudden see the website looking completely different!!!! {Feel-good-0002006E}

Trees for Africa??!! We live in an eco estate and even the grass and flowers are indig... I will have to do a proper search and maybe find out from 'bird people' round here to know what is best to use. It would be lovely to bring the 'outside' 'inside'. The area which we live is "bushveld", lotsa thorn trees that attract a huge variety of birds...{Nature-00020095}

I had a look ( on web) at these tree things... It looks like a lovely 'jungle gym'... I am tempted to construct one from indigenous wood... will have to do a little seach for similar trees round here. (It does help, we live on the same continent as our feathered friends!) :woohoo: