DawL

Glad to hear it Thank you for following along with Barnaby and I.

Okay Dave, I see your point, and you make some good ones. Can you maybe give me some advice on some things to do with Barnaby to keep him busy, as far as training goes? He is fully flighted. I just want to be sure to keep him busy, and I would enjoy the time as well. Any suggestions would be great.

I have to say, I am a fan of Gilbert's. I think you are going to make great progress with him, and I look forward GREATLY to reading updates in the future about how much he loves to play and interact with you. I think 2012 is going to be a great year for both of you.

I don't believe they will be getting another bird, or at least I sincerely hope not. They gave him to me willingly after they realized they were incapable of his care, so I would hope they would be educated enough to know that another bird is not going to be any easier on them. Fingers crossed on that one.

Thank you to you all. I found these words to be very profound, and inspirational, and I knew you all would too. It touched my heart just as much as it did for all of you, but the words are so incredibly true. What I thought was so great about this Creed is, even before any of us had read it, we had already commited ourselves to these guidelines. We did so because we have such extreme compassion for our animal friends, and such big hearts. Thank you to everyone out there that has rescued an animal, no matter the kind.

I shall be a believer of all that is good in man and of all that is deserving in animals. I shall plead for their lives, campaign for their safety and uphold their right to a natural death. I shall seek out the injured and the maimed, the unloved, and the abandoned and tend to them in their last days. I shall not forget their place in the hierarchy of life, nor that we walk in each other's paths. I shall bear witness to the wonder they bring into our lives and to the beauty they bestow upon our souls. I shall renew their spirits when they are waning, bind their wounds when they bleed, cradle them when they whimper, and comfort them when they mourn. I shall be near them in their hour of greatest need - a companion and friend when the time has come. I shall watch over them and console them and ask that the angels gather them in their arms. From the creatures of the earth I shall learn the fruits of compassion and undying love, and I shall be called the beloved of God. In their company I shall indeed be blessed.

LMAO! I love chameleons soooo much!

Okay, I liked it...you are now at 101 with me on there....I also posted it to my FB wall... that will probably help ya out. Good luck!

I think the big thing here is they must build up the CONFIDENCE to fly, and that definitely is a big step. Do they hae the capability? Well, of course they do, but if they lack the confidence, they are not going to try. I think running around the house with the bird perched on your hand would be a great way to go about teaching him to fly! It is about building that confidence up, and one day, before you know it, off he will go

I don't think Ajax is as young as you think he is, if you notice the color of his eyes. Also, I really don't think we can put any kind of age limit on medical, or behavioral problems. --Hvave you made him a vet appointment yet? If so we would love to hear how it went.

Loved the pics of your little guys! Look forward to your next update

Well put Dave, and I think you really need to take this advice to heart Fratyr. Some of the things you are doing just don't make it seem like you want what is best for your bird. If you wouldnt drink out of that bowl, don't give it to your Grey. Same with the other things. If you think you would want more toys, give her some. If you think you would need to go to a doctor in this situation, take her to one. She thinks, feels, and loves just as you do, and deserves no less than what you have, and what you would need. I really hope you get her to the vet, and learn how to properly care for her. Best of luck.

Hahahaha! That is what I was thinking when I first saw the video too! "I might like this skewer a little better if there was something on it"!

I am going to get some pics of all of my fids tonight actually I think it is about time to introduce the rest of my flock anyhow. After the kids are in bed, it is photo shoot time! ;D

Well, it sounds like you have some very lovely fids I am actually suprised by Barnaby's noise level. I have worked with many Too's, and they were all pretty loud, but when he flock calls is is more of a squeek, than a scream. Now, when he does his weird cockatoo language speak in his yelling voice, that is a completely different story. He is much louder when he does it as opposed to the calling, but it doesn't bother me. I have great selective hearing.

I can afford taking a bird to vet, I said that I don't want to do that, because my breeder said the avian vets will just get my bird killed and that normally, CAG doesn't need a vet if you take care of him. Well, as I'm of being stupid and newbie I trusted him, but I see on this forum a lot of you people take the birds to vet. Listen, I don't want to sound mean, and this is in NO WAY directed to you at all, but your "breeder" sounds like...ya know what? I am not even going to say it, because it would not be nice. "Breeders" like this really p**s me off....Okay, enough said on that subject. Moving on... Yes, bathing schedule is once-twice a week and she's not fully soaked, I will try harder and get the Aloe Vera juice for spraying. Should I mix water with the juice or pure juice to spray over the bird? I would increase the showering. I like to shower my fids every other day. I do not use the aloe vera juice, but I am sure someone will come along that can give you the proper ratio to use. Here is alink to a water bottle that can be used for your Grey. http://www.amazon.com/Lixit-Glass-Water-Bottle-GB16S/dp/B0006B7FMO Not washing out her water bowl with soap and water is a definite NO NO. You need to wash them CLEAN. Wiping them out with your fingers just isn't going to cut it. The link to the water bottle was so you can see what it looks like. Thenm you can find something around where you live, or somwhere that will ship to you. Also, the toys. There are common things around your home that you can make toys out of, just be sure they are bird safe. I would imagine doing a little research would give you some ideas. Also, with toys it is going to be trial and error. She may love one thing you give her, and hate another. You have to try new things to get her opinion on them, then you will know what kind of toys she likes. The humidity sounds okay there, but I really don't know what Isreal is like. Running a humidifier is not going to hurt anything. Next, full spectrum lighting. Greys need full spectrum lighting if they are not getting adequate outside time in the sun. Here is a link to what I am talking about: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=1015 Also here is a link to what the bulb might look like. I would look around to see if you can find one, or order one online: http://www.birdsupplies.com/avilux-full-spectrum-bird-lights/ Now onto the diet. What exactly is it that you feed your Grey? As far as the fruits and veggies, if she eats some fruit that is great, but it does not make up for not getting vegetables in her diet. I would honestly go down the bird safe list of veggies until you find something she likes. This is also going to be a trial and error thing, and it may take some time, and a lot of waste, before you find something she likes. As far as her cage goes, I think she could use a bigger cage when you can get her one. I don't see a lot of perching areas, and she will need SEVERAL, all different widths to allow her the exercise she needs for her feet. Also, she definitely needs more toys, as mentioned above. Next I would do away with the bedding you ahve in the bottom of the cage, and on top. Replace it with newspaper. Let me know if you may have another question, and hopefully another member will chime in here. Also, please be aware that these suggestions cannot replace a visit to your avian vet, and I strongly urge you to make an appointment as soon as possible.

How much weight did he suggest he gains? How old is Gandalf? I have been hand feeding Barnaby to help him to gain weight, but I am not sure you have any experience with hand feeding or not. I am kinda shocked that if your vet wanted him to gain weight, he didnt give you some pointers on how to make it happen. Maybe you could spoon feed him flavored oatmeal, or even hand feeding formula, as it is very calorie dense.

For quality time here I love to play games with them...a favorite in my home is peek-a-boo. We also enjoy dinner time together, and of course showers. My fids are out of their cages ALL day, and I do interact with them as the day goes on. I like to talk to them and tell them what I am doing...they usually ask me anyhow, so I answer them. Sometimes I have full blown one sided conversations with them. They really are great listeners I am sure to say "be right back" if I go into the kitchen to get a drink, and I tell them what I am going to do. I guess I consider my one on one play, and interaction with an individual fid "quality time". The other things, like speaking to them as a group and so on, I would just consider that spending time with my fids.

So glad to hear that things went so well! Enjoy your new house

When I read this story, I was greatly touched. It hit home for me. I lost my dad 5 years ago. It was Dec. 21st, and it was a very sudden thing. He was 47, not married, and I was his oldest daughter. My sister was 17 at the time. My uncle, and cousin on that side of the family was at his house the next day with tow trucks to tow his cars to their house. I spent everything I had in savings to fight them, and get back all the things they took (which was pretty much everything) and it was very hard. I will say that I guess things get easier as time goes on, but they never get better. I am very sorry to hear of the loss of you dad, and I wish you all the best. It sounds like Dorian really cares for you. Sometimes it does take a very long time for even the simplest things to happen with our fids, but when they do it is so very sweet. Would love to see photos of Dorian, and this great playstand you made

Great video, thanks Dan

It is awesome to know that you have a U2 as well. How long have you had him/her? Yes, I am very proud of Barnaby. We still have a long way to go, but at least now I know that we are headed FIRMLY in the right direction.

I vote that you are thinking too much. The likelihood of these two disasters happening are very slim in comparison to what could happen to your birds if they are left alone, and free at night. They could ingest something that could be harmful, chew on electrical cords, get tangled up in something they cannot get out of, amongst SO MANY other things. I think the only time birds should be left free to come out of their cage is when they can be supervised. Hope that helps

Oh geez! I know that feeling! I used to work 2 full time jobs, and go to college part time to get my Registered Nursing license (all at the same time). I remember one specific time I got the flu, and was delerious from a 105 degree temp, but I had to go to work because I raised my kids on my own at that point...needless to say my customer service that day was not all that fantastic LOL! Not to mention the time I went to work and school 2 days after having 4 wisdom teeth cut out, and another back molar pulled..not a pretty sight AT ALL. But, now I am married, and a stay at home mom. I have 4 kids ages 7, 6, 4, and 1 to look after sick as heck all day, and of course all of my fids, both furry and feathered! Hahahaha! Sometimes I think going to work might be a bit easier.

LMAO! That is a Sunburst Veiled Chameleon. Aren't they gorgeous? The really funny thing about the end of that vid is the fact that most chams have tiny little razor sharp teeth, and trust me, they HURT. I have been bit so many times by my Panther Chameleons, and it never gets easier LOL!