Sheldon89

Just had to post this. little humor to brighten up your day! http://theoatmeal.com/comics/grump

Thanks so much! I actually went out and bough some plastic. Excited to get it started. Will post pics with my attempts. could you elaborate how they fastens it to the bars on the bottom, though? I can't see that.

In my experience, anything that is made to make the house smell better is bad for Parrots. Mainly for respiratory health reasons. Much like any potent fume/chemical: bleach, cookware, ovens, air fresheners... Cleaning the cage with white vinegar and putting a pot of boiled lemon and orange peels on the stove gives off a nice citrus smell that's both natural and deodorizing. You can also buy specific cleaners that are safe even while your Fid is in his cage: http://www.windycityparrot.com/AviClean-Enzyme-Cage-Cleaner-and-Deodorizer-32-oz-Spray_p_3123.html Edit: also, it's usually okay to have MILD fragrances such as potpourri in separate rooms, as long as they're not too overpowering and you can't smell them in the bird room. Even then, it's iffy because a Parrot is much more sensitive to these things than us Parronts.

Hello, all. Thought I'd come on here before trying it on my own to see if any of the more experienced Parronts might know. I have a 23X32 cage for my Corvo, white, and unfortunately do not have the make/model name of the cage. It appears to be a Cal Cage in viewing the door hinge, bars, and cup/feeder holders, but I could certainly be mistaken. Any who, my Seed Catcher idea is a little more practical than simply for catching seeds. As I take Corvo out as much as possible and he has a bird stand on the top part of the cage as well as a separate one that I place him on for play time or when cleaning the cage/making arrangements, there is always the issue of Corvo climbing down and getting to the carpet to tear it apart. He enjoys this very much -- who could blame him? It's a fun toy! So I'm thinking from a rather "acute" angle at this point, in thinking that a seed-catcher will solve the problem of him coming down to tear the carpet apart when I'm in another room or preoccupied on the phone. As he's in a corner, I will only need one long 32inch and a short 23inch for two sides (as there's little room for him to come down between the wall and the cage). What fabrics do you think would work best for this? I'm thinking either fashioning it out of metal, durable plastic, or plexiglass. I figure wood is out of the question unless it has a Parrot-safe bird finish on it, with which I'm ill-equip. I've looked online for a bit, but could only find an expensive "one-size fits all" plastic piece, and reading the reviews, some people say it falls apart and is broken easily. Just bad manufacturing. ( http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=8362 ) Has anyone else tried to do this? If so or not, any helpful hints to complete such a task? And just for fun -- what do you do to keep your Grey from climbing down from the cage and wreaking playful havoc to the carpet? If I could, I would get wood floors -- but it's an apartment. Any help would be appreciated!

I'd just like to chime in, haven't been on in a while, but something that helped my Corvo become more interested in my presence: whenever you enter the room, enter the house, approach the cage, make the interaction a happy one. The growling may be territorial, so conditioning your African Grey with treats upon interaction, they'll associate your presence as happy -- allowing room for trust. I've had Corvo, a re-homed CAG, for a little over a year. This forum helped me cope with the changes my fid was experiencing and how to read those changes. For a while, actually, Corvo was stepping up onto my hand with no problem. In fact, it was happening for a few months, and everything was going quite well. Since the beginning of around June though, my partner moved into the apartment and Corvo was not used to another person being in the same household. It was a change for him, so now whenever I ask him to step up, he's resistant and bites. Now I'm back at square one, but that's okay, because I know it's possible. It could take years for that trust to be earned, again, but remember the life span of an CAG is nearly 50 years. My Corvo's only 11. Practically the same age as me in Human Years. We've got time.

Agreed! My CAG HATES anything being on his body, at this point. Maybe when we both have a more trusting relationship, where flipping him on his back is acceptable . Even if not, then I'll have to get one of those nifty travel bags. I like to hike, an I want to share that experience with my CAG.

This looks like a great idea! I am going to try it with my fid. thanks or the idea!

Here's an updated picture. He was dancing to some music. Haha

Hello, everyone! Just wanted to give a little update. My Congo is doing very well, and has actually just this week started to let me give him little skritches, on occasion! I think he's acclimated very well to his environment and grown accustom to his daily routines. In the morning, I let him out for about an hour onto his cage, where he drums jubilantly, and then it's back in for feeding time. He's picked up on my whistle, and mimics it whenever he needs to get my attention. I want to thank everyone for all they've helped with me for my first CAG. I do believe I'd like to get another for my Flock, but that will probably be much later down the road. One again, thanks to everyone who's helped! -Aaron

She's such a beauty! A real doll. Unfortunately, I don't know of anything, myself, because I fear I may be getting into the same situation with a 10+ year old CAG. He's been chewing quite a bit after moving in with me 3 weeks ago. But I hope to learn from your thread! Thanks for the pics, she's absolutely darling. Edit: WHAT a wonderful cage you have for her, too!!

Thanks jla! It is, perhaps, a winter molt, like Dave suggested, but Congo's 10+ years old and is, by far, not his first molt . But I agree, I will try the prevention with adding more toys to the cage and giving him a lot of out-of-cage time (as I've been doing since I've got him). It seems as though it's been keeping steady the past few days, but I think I'll just keep taking progression pictures for reference sake, and try to ignore it as best I can. And, unfortunately, I cannot really pet him because there isn't enough trust for that - I'm slowly but surely gaining it, but I think he's mourning the loss of his last owner. And that's all fine and dandy - I'd totally understand. Ten years with the same flock and then suddenly rehomed would make me a little hesitant and irritable. Time will tell. Thanks all!

Went to the Vet, today! Just getting back from work, I can finally reply. The Avian Vet was far more concerned with the chewing and feather plucking than the Nares - he said if it persisted at all to call him immediately, but it may have been that, while preening, congo tipped his head down and got some up-chuck from his crop, and since the Nares are connected to the mouth, it must have come out there… He wasn't worried at all about that. He told me to go buy some Aloe Vera spray and (to my surprise) Benadryl for the itching/over-preening/chewing. He said he'd call in a week to follow up with me on how it's looking, and I felt very relieved. I've started applying the aloe spray, today, and holy moly - that stuff gets Congo wet more than water ever has - or at least LOOKING more wet. I've also completely stopped feeding him a seed diet, as he said that not getting the correct nutrition could also be leading to the chewing, and have gone straight to Zupreem FruitBlend. Confused when his droppings turned brown when I got home, but a quick google search cleared that right up. I haven't given him the Benadryl, yet, as I was waiting to get your opinions on this… He said, furthermore, that if the problem persists, we could look into Prozac - but that's also not a definite 100% chance in solving the problem. So, 80 dollars later, I've learned something new - and am eagerly awaiting times ahead for Congo and I. Thanks, all.

Glad you said it, Kins - for sure I was thinking the same thing! Haha

I think I've been more worried about the combination of the symptoms rather than just the quietness. I know they're quiet types, but have also been told that whenever I see discharge to dash to the vet as quick as possible. But thank you for your response. My budget doesn't allow living at the vet, so that won't be a problem

And just a fair warning - I'm feeling lost in this whole ordeal. I've never been one to be a hypochondriac, going to the hospital and whatnot only when in dire need. My father always said: "if it isn't bleeding, and the bone isn't sticking out, you'll live." So, while I've only had him a few weeks, he's scaring the poo out of me! I know they can pick up on these things, so I usually keep them bottled inside myself, so he isn't afflicted by my emotions. Maybe this is just also atypical of Molting behavior? The being more silent and all. Blargghhhhh Crash course for me!

Hello, err'body. Congo, just last night, sitting on his perch up and decided to freak me out, coming from no apparent incident. While he was preening, I noticed he whipped his head extensively afterward, probably getting the dust/dander out of his eyes, nose, ears, what have you - but something else happened… I saw a clear, thin, sliver of liquid underneath both sides of his nose. Immediately, I thought this was danger and went to get a flashlight to check his nostrils. Fortunately, it went away within a minute, and I'm slightly convinced it was just because there was dander/dust in his nose, and he whipped his head so much that it expelled the juices from his brain! All joking aside, I'm bringing him to an Avian Veterinarian today to get an $80 check-up… Goodness gracious, this bird is worth it! Perhaps it's just the excitement from last night, but I've also noticed he's less talkative today and puffed up more than usual. Better safe than sorry, of course. I just can't believe the veterinarian I took him to last time didn't notice anything? Perhaps he wasn't an Avian Vet? He only looked at him for the better part of 10 minutes, checked his respiration, nostrils, mouth, etc… This one said I'd be in there for an HOUR As I type this he's playing with his toy on top of his cage, but very quiet… I guess he's still getting used to being in my home, so I don't know what the norms are - but this is how I learn, I s'pose. No other signs of being sick, though - so I hope if it is anything, it's nothing serious.

You're all so wonderful for putting up with my incessant worrying. Maybe he's just picking up on my nervousness over the election. Hah! Sensitive little buggers...

Another question - since he is chewing the ends of his feathers, could this be a sign of plucking? I'm starting to see a few bald spots here and there where I can only see the downy feathers. Small but sure, they're there. :\ Sort of worrying...

I might add that Congo is 10+ years old… Did I mention that? haha

Thank you so much, Dave! He doesn't have a history of plucking, and I just want to make sure that I'm helping him as much to get through the dry winter, here, in Central New York. Would a humidifier help any through this for him? I will also be looking into the aloe spray and getting that for him. I'm elated to think that it can be reversed with ease, but will be vigilant in keeping an eye on the habit. I've only gotten him three weeks ago and perhaps it's good that it was in the winter season - so that I get a crash course going into it. I learn something new every day! Thank you so much, again!! I can relax a bit more, now.

James - perhaps, if possible, a video clip would prove helpful? Hope you someone can help you figure it out! I know my CAG moves his head a lot, but eats everything and anything in sight… I might have to start worrying about his weight!

I've also been showering/misting Congo every day, now. Now that this is winter, is it to my understanding that this should increase to twice daily? Once morning, and one more afternoon? All very assuring answers. Thank you!

Hi Garrett! Welcome to the forums. Unfortunately, I'm new here as well, but would like to give you a thumbs up for taking and rehoming your first CAG! I also did this, about three weeks ago, and through all the biting and odd behavior, I don't regret it for a second. The people here are very knowledgable and can help you with your new CAG. Do you know his name?

Thank you Timbersmom! Glad to know the white fluff isn't just me… I just need to "nip this in the butt," so I can keep my Congo looking happy and healthy!

First Picture taken last week, Second picture taken half hour ago.