Amali

If you need to watch money, I would just do as Mark mentioned and mount a bolt on perch in your dog/cat carrier. You can get those perches at most pet stores these days, drill a hole down low in the carrier, and pop it in. Cheaper yet would be finding a safe natural branch and installing it the same way.

Once his nails are trimmed, if you give him a "pedicure perch" in his cage or even something like a flagstone perch, you really shouldn't need to trim much. Tucker's nails were like razors when I got him so we towelled him and did a quick trim job. He has two rough perches in his cage along with rope and natural branch perches. Just the little time he spends on the concrete or sand type perches keeps his nails nicely dulled.

We did a comfort feeding last night (and yes, I had the thermometer ready to gauge proper temp) - he still wouldn't use a spoon but would take it slowly from the syringe. He only took a couple CCs but that small amount seemed enough to settle him down and we didn't hear any crying the rest of the night. I will continue to try other soft foods and the spoon

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Greywings I tried to give him some oatmeal with a spoon and he'd have nothing to do with the spoon. I will give it another shot tonight!

As most of you know, I brought Tucker home two weeks ago at the age of 13 weeks. He was weaned and maintained his weight for at least a week before the breeder would allow him to come home. Since bringing him home, Tucker eats well and I check his weight every other day. He has gained weight in the time we have had him - up to 249g from 241g. He digs into his veggies every morning and eats his pellets well too. Every evening, though, he has started the "give me a feeding" baby cry. It was most noticeable last night so I took a video and sent it to the breeder to confirm that I was reading his cry correctly. The breeder responded that Tucker is, in fact, trying to manipulate me into giving him a feeding, but the breeder advised against doing it. This goes against everything I've read so I'm asking for your opinions on this one. Some more points that I think are noteworthy - he only does this in the evening as I mentioned. He only does this when he is being held or when someone is in his immediate vicinity. If he is left alone in his cage, he goes on about his own business - playing, eating, etc. Also - I have experience handfeeding and am 100% confident in my ability to give him a comfort feeding if this is the route we choose to take. I know the risks of handfeeding and would never attempt to do it if I weren't certain that I know what to do. My only goal is to give Tucker the best shot at being a confident and outgoing 'too. What would you do?

So cute! My experience at Scott's was the same! Amali refused to get off me while the other bird could have cared less. The stepping up will come Congrats!

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Amali tends to like the things she sits and "helps" make. Typically I sprawl stuff all over the living room floor as I make toys and Amali will wander from her stand, to my lap, to everything laying around. Once the toy is finished, no need to be afraid because she's seen it all!

I know it will depend on the birds - but how did your two progress to the point they've settled at? Did it take a long while before you'd allow them near each other to eat off the same plate? Right now, I hold them back ... out of fear that something will happen. Should I just let them be and let them work it out?

Sometimes my guys sit in the bottom of my garden tub and I will mist them while also having about 1/2" of water in the tub. Other days, they go on their shower perch in the shower with me. Amali seems to prefer the finer mist from the spray bottle, but takes all of it in stride.

For those of you with multiple birds who get along with one another, how did that friendship come about? How did you go about letting the birds progress to the point of being near one another? We've had Tucker for 1.5 weeks now, and I still watch the two of them like a hawk when they are both out of their cages. Amali seems very interested in Tucker, but Tucker doesn't seem very confident just yet. I am not interested in pushing the issue - and I'm perfectly fine if they never become friends. I just would like to hear how others have handled it. I would at least like to hope that one day I won't be so 'on guard' when both are out at the same time.

Oh fun! Let us know how it goes today! When I went to Scott's to get Amali, I went in the same way you are - not knowing who was coming home with me. Letting her choose me (and boy did she make that clear) was the best thing I could have done.

I have heard wonderful things about the Austin Air Cleaners, but I simply couldn't justify spending the amount they cost at this time. So I ended up with this - http://www.amazon.com/Winix-PlasmaWave-5300-Cleaner-Model/dp/B001RUS05E/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1341508993&sr=8-7&keywords=air+filter . I believe I read somewhere that the ionic thing is not good for birds - I will have to do some digging around on that.

You will find many advocates of free flight - which I support and agree with - but you also have to know your bird and your own circumstances and make the best decision based on those factors. Amali is clipped. She was allowed to fledge and then was given a moderate clip. If she loses her balance, she can still glide with grace to the floor. I just know my household - I cannot trust others to be as diligent about the doors as I would be. We live in the country, I have a young child, we have dogs ... all a combination of circumstances that make me feel that being clipped is best in our home. (Oh - and we live in TX - I'd die without the ceiling fans!) Good luck with your decision. I know it is a hard one, and you will feel pressured by many to do what they feel is the right thing. I have been looked down upon for my decision, but I stand by it knowing that it is the best in OUR circumstances.

Like Judy, I give Amali about 1T worth of spaghetti when our family has it (not very often) - and she LOVES it. I don't give her extra sauce (like Judy); just give whatever is stuck to the noodle. I read on another forum that someone was advised by their avian vet that small amounts of garlic are not harmful at all and can actually be helpful. I don't feed garlic itself - and the amount Amali could possibly get out of a few drops of spaghetti sauce would be miniscule. Amali hasn't taken too much interest in peppers either. I keep trying though Both of my fids will hog down some frozen mixed veggies and are more particular about fresh - just the opposite of the people in the house! Crazy birds I keep supplying it though ... one of these days they will realize how good it all is! Edit - I found this list that also says small amounts of fresh garlic are beneficial - http://www.landofvos.com/articles/kitchen5.html

We have the office chair mats under both cages. A broom and a handheld Dyson vacuum are my best tools.

My hubby is making progress as well Amali definitely favors me over anyone else in the house. She will, on occasion, let my 18 year old daughter give her skritches or get her out of her cage - but is more apt to do so if I'm not around or not home. My 8 year old daughter can give her skritches through the cage bars, but 8 year olds move so much that we limit it to that right now. At times, Amali will venture off a stand to go check out Saryn's (8 year old) toys or blanket or whatever she may have, but for the most part they peacefully co-exist. The boys most often around the house (hubby and soon to be son in law), on the other hand, really know to just steer clear. Both have made attempts to befriend Amali, but she will get a sucker punch in every time. LOL It is so surprising to see her take an instant dislike to the males since her breeder/handfeeder was a man. Tucker is a little slower to come around than Amali was, but we are starting to see him warming up. He's becoming a bit more vocal and likes to chitter chatter back and forth with us when we talk to him. He will step up every time - even from inside his cage which shows his comfort so that is nice. And boy oh boy - does he enjoy a bath. Yesterday he was prancing around the bottom of my garden tub, wings spread, crest up, just enjoying the mist from the sprayer. I wish I had it on video! I have been having both birds out at the same time - on separate stands. I think Amali would actually consider being friends, but the first time she leaned toward him from my hand, Tucker started hissing at her. So we just let them continue to check each other out from a safe distance. We'll see what happens in time ... no rush ... this is all up to them.

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We got Tucker's nails clipped last night - holy moly was that an ordeal! He was fine with being toweled and then when the clipping started, he proceeded to scream non-stop. (And no, never cut too short - just enough to get the razor ends off.) Afterwards, he really seemed to like perching on my hubby's hand ... kind of funny to see him so relaxed on the least "bird" person in the house! My daughter told him that he may become the favored person, and he was adamant that he didn't want to be - LOL! Tucker suddenly seemed to wake up just as I said it was birdie bed time ... Covered Amali and only partially covered Tucker (taking it slow to not stress him), and immediately Tucker started chattering to himself and playing with all his toys. Just like a kid

Thanks for all the kind words Mimi's funeral was today - a wonderful celebration of her life. One more funeral to go tomorrow and then hopefully we will start to see the healing begin for those around us.

He is settling in - eating and getting around okay, but oddly enough - is a little more reserved than Amali was when I brought her home. Who'd have thought a Grey would be more outgoing than a 'too!? But I have no doubt that will change as he gets more comfortable with his surroundings. What is Filbert's hatch date? Tucker was hatched March 30. He weighed in tonight at 244g ... A bit less than I anticipated but have asked the breeder for a baseline to compare it to. Amali is 290g yet she looks more petite than Tucker. I am waiting for the hubby to come in for the evening so I can have him towel Tucker for a pedicure. Holy moly are his nails painful right now - he will step right up but boy does it hurt!

I picked Tucker up yesterday afternoon. He went right in the Pak O Bird, nibbled on treats on the way home, and the next thing I knew, he was grinding his beak and dozing off. This is a crazy week for us - between visitations and funerals, I don't know if I'm coming or going. So Tucker was just allowed to adjust to his surroundings last night without everyone wanting to hold and cuddle him. I will be home more tonight so it will be time to clip the razor sharp nails and get some more hands on time

I live in an extremely small town where, for the most part, everyone knows everyone. So when bad things happen, it affects the entire town. This weekend was a real rough one. Friday, a coach and his wife lost their full-term baby. Saturday, a teacher's assistant from the Elementary School committed suicide. Now this morning, a part of our adopted family, "Mimi" has gone on to be with the Lord. It is so hard to look around and see all the suffering and pain ... but it sure reminds you to count your blessings.

We have set a new pick up date of next Wednesday I have been making toys like a mad woman!

I can't start a new sleep cage routine until my oldest daughter moves out (wedding is in August) and then her bedroom will become my domain again - haha! (Well, more like extra bird stuff storing space!) I just think that moving them away from the busy area so they get more quiet and dark hours would be beneficial. Amali has always been covered so I will continue to do that with the sleep cages. If she and Tucker become friendly, I will put the sleep cages under the same cover - otherwise, they will each get covered separately.