Timbersmom

Glad to hear this positive update!

Birdhouse, the large, thick bath towels I have been using cover the bottom of the cage perfectly, size-wise. He does chew on the towels, so I suspect he'd chew anything else I tried. He hasn't fallen often, and the towel seems to provide adequate cushioning when he does. Since I'm retired, the extra laundry isn't a real problem. Murfchck, ha to the boar! If you lived in my area, you'd have plenty of people anxious to have a bbq...

Haaaa funny! And accurate. Timber says "damn bird" and that's not something we say. I'm assuming it was from a previous home. The funny thing is, his tone is affectionate, not angry, so I'm assuming it was a "term of endearment" from some previous owner.

The King's stainless travel cage is working great. The little $30 travel cage worked well initially and would probably be close to the same size as the hamster cage. Having to use towels in the bottom to soften his landing if he falls generates a lot of laundry, but also a lot of peace of mind!

What a horrible experience! Thank God it was no worse.

Wow, you have your hands full! I honestly don't know how you do it, but kudos!

It's so good to see him doing "bird things" again!

Thank God. I was hoping this is the news I'd see this morning!

Oh no! Praying for Olive's safe return.

Good job! Like Neoow, we have a total pellet boycott here. I finally gave up and went to nutriberries.

He actually seems happy with it. It gives him more room to move around and the larger bars and correct spacing are a plus for his ability to get around. After 5 years of fighting change of any kind, he has become surprisingly receptive of changes since his poor health. I'd like to think he's smart enough to know he needs the changes. We still have to towel him for meds and supplemental feedings twice a day, and he has adapted to that as well. He will go and stand on the bottom of the cage (in the same spot or course) and allow us to scoop him up. Instead of fighting us and risk hurting himself, he seems to know it is necessary and is resigned to it.

Thank you. He is so much improved over his "low point." Even if he doesn't improve from where he is now, he is able to move around on his own and do many things he could do before on a smaller scale. He's a fighter!

Timber's new cage. Ignore the trash in in the towel in the bottom, that was from his earlier cardboard shredding exercise.

My thought was the same as SterlingSL, there should be a test for an actual allergy. What a scary thought though! I think as the others mentioned there are steps you could take if it did turn out to be an allergy. I had shots for allergies when I was younger, the homeopathic type from the allergist. My allergies aren't gone, but they are much improved. There are lots of things you can try if it is an allergy before you have to consider rehoming Dorian. Prayers!

I agree. I'm trying to give him as much space and activity as he's willing to put out.

That looks very interesting. The King's cage was just delivered to the back door. We shall see!

Fortunately for Timber, I'm as OCD as he is so I have no problem with the rituals, ha. Kya I wouldn't worry too much. Timber, at least, doesn't have the same expectations with others as he does with me. I've been gone before and Timber has been left in hubby's care. He doesn't do anything "right" and said Timber had no problem with it. It seems to me they attach the rituals to people as well as events.

No, he didn't but I try to keep him as active as possible. I open the door of his little cage and he loves to get on top. It isn't easy for him and looks like a mini-workout but he makes it!

I will thanks! I see small signs of improvement. My husband had a stroke last fall so I know it isn't instantaneous recovery but it can come. I'm hopeful that the improvement will continue, maybe over months or years, but I've got time

I've actually worked customer service too. I'm always courteous and polite, but I am persistent! Fingers crossed that the cage meets our needs without problems. Thanks

Ugh. I hope they have improved the design! I have to say you sound just like me! My husband says I'm a customer service reps nightmare. I don't give up either if I know I'm in the right. I had a car dealer tell me one time they'd fix the car (finally) but they'd never sell me another one. You can't take poor quality and service lying down or they will walk all over you.

Thanks for the info birdhouse and neoow! I think they've upgraded the cage a bit, it now comes with stainless bowls and perhaps a different kind of latch? The corner cage in the link is too tall, since my biggest concern is falls. The close grate shouldn't be a problem because I have to put towels in the bottom of the cage. That might be a concern later if his coordination improves substantially, but if that happens I'll probably be moving him back to the old cage. I went ahead and ordered it from King's. It was $10 more than the ebay link ($339) but I might get more cooperation if there are any issues so it was worth the $10 to buy from the manufacturer. I didn't get the gold one in my link, it was 329 but had plastic bowls and latches. I got red in the newer model. Here's hoping it works! Thanks again for your input.

Thanks! Heavy is fine with me since he will be living in it.

OK friends, I need some advice. I need to get a cage for Timber to accommodate his current handicapped status. He is currently in a small prevue travel cage, which isn't made for long term use. I'm looking for a small, low cage with the right bar spacing for a grey. Short is important, because though I put towels on the bottom, I still don't want him to fall from very high. The only one I've found is this one http://www.kingscages.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=ATM2029%20Gold which is also a travel cage but is the right size and is aluminum. I've never used or read anything about aluminum. Thoughts or suggestions please?

I've never done that. I had generous sick leave, but only called in sick if I WAS sick. I just couldn't abuse the system that way!