Timbersmom

I have to be really careful when introducing new toys, starting at a distance from the cage, moving closer over time etc. Such odd little creatures.

If you have a female, nesting behavior can promote egg laying as I understand it. I'd assume that is what you would want to avoid. I'm no pro though, I've just read things like that on the forums. Timber's hormones seem more governed by seasons than boxes or circumstances, but he's a male.

Also, don't forget to strip tape and labels before you give them to her. We keep any box (like cracker boxes, kleenex boxes) for the box in a box in a box setup. Timber much prefers the heavier, corrugated stuff but will chew through the thinner stuff if it's inside the corrugated.

That just reminded me, you know those cardboard (funny texture stuff) that McDonald's uses as drink carriers? Timber loves those. He shreds them to bits in short order, but you would think it was Christmas morning when he gets one. I don't know what he finds so attractive about them, but I have family save them if they get one.

I totally understand. We're blessed to have family members who are willing to take care of Timber and spend quite a bit of time here when we are gone. I don't think I could board him because he would not thrive, and if the time comes when family isn't available, we'll probably just plan driving vacations that include him. Yes, you have certainly found the place where people understand your concerns! We are retired, and even when we worked, I was the only one who had to travel for work which left hubby home with Timber.

This came up recently with another member. Have you checked with your avian vet? Sometimes they have names of bird sitters or might know of someone.

Timber loves his boxes, and it never gets old for him either. He has 3 on top of his cage now (A box, in a box, in a box). At least one will have to be replaced by the end of the day!

Timber loves snap peas, but only if I stand there and feed him to them one by one. Once in a blue moon he'll eat them off the skewer himself, but most of the time it's shell and feed. Yes your highness, no your highness...

Pretty girl! I wish Timber would eat birdie bread. I've tried many different variations and no go. That said, give him some plain, sugar heavy Jiffy mix cornbread and he thinks it is great. One thing I learned early on, greys are like people. If something isn't good for them they are going to love it (i.e. pizza, bacon, sausage etc.).

Hello and welcome to you and Corey! I'm so glad you took Corey out of the fish store. I was totally inexperienced when I rehomed Timber, and am still learning after 8 years. I shudder to think of the situations some greys "land" in, and of all the rehomed birds out there. We've been fortunate to have close relatives that come in and take care of Timber when we are gone. Our avian vet boards, but I'm afraid Timber (with the usual grey terror of change) would refuse to eat at all away from us and out of his home. Greytness' suggestion about asking at the vet's about caregivers is a great one though.

I'm not able to few the picture. I am not an expert on plucking, but I know some birds do it for reasons that are never found. Glad to see you back!

Just be very sure that paint is bird safe. Even if she doesn't chew the cage bars, she will still use her beak on the cage to move around (at least Timber does).

Auri is blessed to have you, and I'm so glad you decided to take her! You've seen first-hand the rehoming situations and know how time, labor, and emotionally intense dealing with a grey can be. Good luck, God bless, and welcome to the forum!

I would agree, having heard similar sounds from Timber. There could be something I'm not hearing on the video (my speakers aren't particularly sensitive) and I'm not a vet though.

My TAG has 3 reds like this and has had them since I've had him. Welcome to the forum!

Glad you have a choice in vets at least! The closest avian vet to me is almost two hours, next closest is 3.5 hours. Hope you find a good one!

I haven't had anything like that so don't have much to contribute. It does look like a scrape.

Done! Thanks for all you do

Same here. Cardboard is Timber's drug of choice too. He does like his bells, other than that he's never really "taken" to anything I've purchased.

Glad it worked! I've tried to get Timber to say many things, and except for his middle name I've been unsuccessful. I've noticed the mumbling though, which eventually involves into something understandable. Just nothing I want him to say, ha.

Yes. Do you have a paypal we could use?

Timber shreds plastic and has since I've had him. One of his favorites is a straw from the convenience store. I've never seen him swallow any of it, and he's never had a medical issue over it.

She's looking well and it sounds like she is acting "normal" from previous posts I've read about egg laying. Hopefully she'll lose interest in a few days and this will be behind you.

I have no experience with egg laying, so have hesitated to say anything. I wish someone with more experience with eggs would come along. I remember reading in previous posts that laying depletes calcium, so if Vannah was mine I'd probably call my avian vet and ask about calcium supplementation and anything else I needed to be doing. You are doing exactly the right thing with letting her decide when she's done with the eggs from what I've read here. Good luck and God bless!

Same here. I've also be happy to make a donation toward costs.