RobertsKitty Posted August 3, 2007 Author Share Posted August 3, 2007 One more quick question. As for cage covers. I am proficient at sewing. Can I just sew a cover? If so what material would be best? Is there anything I should totally avoid? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 I use a black sheet from Walmart, the king size, works good and then you can throw it in the wash when it gets soiled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertsKitty Posted August 3, 2007 Author Share Posted August 3, 2007 Really? That would work great! I have a few old black sheets that I don't use anymore. There isn't anything wrong with them they just don't match my room anymore. Thanks! Later on I'll post everything I'm planning on buying to make sure I'm not forgetting anything! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest briansmum Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 yep a sheet is just fine. if you wanted to make a fitted one yourself any material if fine so long as it doesnt have bits.. say for example towel material. they could chew bits off that and choke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 I will look forward to seeing everything you have found to supply your new grey with all it needs. You are certainly preparing yourself with everything you need to know and have for this purchase, I just wish more people would do that, we wouldn't have so many birds in need of rescues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertsKitty Posted August 3, 2007 Author Share Posted August 3, 2007 Ok here is everything I have so far. I am buying extra to be sure that I can shift things in and out and perhaps have an extra when one gets worn. 3 Full Length Ribbonwood Perch 36" inch Swing With Chewables Bowls with attached perches Formable Rope 3/8 Inch Thick and 6 feet long For time out of cage and teaching Numbers/Colors Pinata Indestructibell For out of the cage fun I'm also going to get some of the items that are listed in the TOY thread. I am still going to look for a few more foot toys for out of the cage time...I am TOTALLY open to ideas on what is good and not good.<br><br>Post edited by: RobertsKitty, at: 2007/08/02 19:47 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertsKitty Posted August 3, 2007 Author Share Posted August 3, 2007 Few more things: Metal, birdsafe bell Swing The rest are for time out of the cage playing: Rattles and jingles Paper wrapped wooden pieces So have I done ok on shopping so far? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Yes indeed, you have a varying collection of very good toys for a grey, I have a lot of them already. Where did you find the net, that is something I have been wanting for my grey? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loviechick Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 1.As far as your cage questions I have my greys in identical cages that are dome tops, about 5.5 feet tall, 3.5 feet wide and 2 feet deep, this is MORE than ample room for toys and such. I can take pictures of my cage if you like. I also got my cage for $100 bucks, granted that is a steal, but it needed hardware that I had to go buy, still I paid 5 bucks for hardware and got at least a $300 cage out of it, I'd say a bargain! 2. My CAG's both crawl around on the bars. They both have a huge manzanita ladders in their cages that I got for around 45 bucks from advanced avian designs, gret company to work with by the way. 3. I had a really cool swing for Red and she didn't go near it. I gave it to Zsa and she goes all over it. I currently have 3 different perches in each, a sandy perch, a cholla perch, and a calcium perch. Neither of mine really care for the calcium ones that I have noticed. 4. Both mine love their chairs, or the couch. And my couch is scotch guarded:woohoo: I did find in craigslist a HUGE manzanita perch that would easily fit both of my greys for $75, I would start searching there instead of trying to spend money finding everything brand new. There's nothing wrong with getting something used! 5. Red my older Grey has her own sort of roost on top of her manzanita ladder in the corner of her cage by a toy of hers that she loves. I would give them a dark roosting area, as they can get more territorial and also have nesting behaviors, and you don't want this! 6. I personally don't think theres a way to desensitize a bird to a harness. The best thing you can do to get your Grey used to any new item is hang it to the outside of the cage or have it near the cage. However just because it "sees" the harness doesn't mean that its going to "wear" the harness. I'm not a huge fan of them, as if I'm going on a walk they just go on my shoulders, and my CAG's know if they're goin for a long ride they have to stay on my wrist/hand where I can hold them better. 7. There are these great little foraging toys called jolly balls and they sell them at petco/petsmart whereever. BUT these ones are ones you hang from the side of the cage and put toys/treats in them. I go to the dog toy section, and they're the exact same size shape and brand, but they don't have a metal chain hanging from them, they just roll around on the bottom of the cage. They have one shaped like a football and a round one. I have one of each and mine love grabbin peanuts out of them! I think it cost me like $15 for both of them. 8. I have heard of this, and honestly I just think leaving them unclipped is a bad idea in general. Just because they love and trust you, doesn't mean they can go outside with you and not get spooked and fly off. Most of my birds fly great even with a wing clip which still scares me to death! Honestly though I would go and meet the bird that was looking to be rehomed. The worst habit I had with Red, my 13yo CAG was she only ate sunflower seeds and millet. That and she wasn't thrilled about being held all the time, then again some Greys are like this in general. She now eats pellets, and will at least try any fresh foods I give her. Zsa Zsa my newest her only bad habit is that she doesn't know the command step up, she's already doing better by the day! I'm not saying that a rehome/rescue bird is for everyone. In my opinion I think it takes a lot more work and understanding as you have to realize that sometimes these birds DO NOT trust you or anyone else for that matter. I find it more gratifying that I'm helping a bird in need rather than a bird that already trusts and loves anyone that will give it attention. I think if this is your first larger parrot that a bird that needs to TLC might not be a good idea, but I welcomed the challenge as the biggest bird I ever owned was a Senegal before I rescued Red, and it has been by far THE MOST rewarding thing I've ever done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertsKitty Posted August 3, 2007 Author Share Posted August 3, 2007 Judy heres the link to the large net http://www.birdtoyoutlet.com/detail.aspx?ID=925 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loviechick Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 I just caught up with everything else that was posted on this page..... On the one rope bungie you have I wouldn't get the 3/8, Greys need at least an inch wide rope for their feet. The only other thing would be the big shower perch. I would hold off on that until you figure out if your CAG likes water or not. Some love baths and some don't. I would wait until you've had it a couple months. Granted it's nice to kind of have everything you need there and ready, but just like having a baby, you will never be 100% prepared anyway. I would also add a Cholla perch or some manzanita perches also to your list B) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Thanks, Kitty, I assume your name is Kitty since your screen name is RobertsKitty, am I correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertsKitty Posted August 3, 2007 Author Share Posted August 3, 2007 Yeah your right. My fiance is Robert. Thanks a bunch loviechick. I still have about $300 for food and such so I'll go look for a few perches like that too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loviechick Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 $300 for food is more than enough! You should be fine. Also check out theperchstore.net they have AWESOME sales on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and then at the beginning of every month they do free shipping. They are easy to work with and have great prices I highly recommend them!:woohoo: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertsKitty Posted August 3, 2007 Author Share Posted August 3, 2007 And here it is Checking your link now for the second perch type<br><br>Post edited by: RobertsKitty, at: 2007/08/02 20:46 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertsKitty Posted August 3, 2007 Author Share Posted August 3, 2007 There is that. I'm now looking into harnesses and full spectrum lighting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toni Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Now my pet store told me Congos are higher because of it larger and bright tail. He also said he doesnt handle Timnehs anymore because his experience was they took longer wanting to wheen and he also said Congos to him tend to want to talk earlier and hes been in bird buisness for 35 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Well there goes that $300 bucks. Those are some nice perches, a variety of different sizes and materials. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertsKitty Posted August 3, 2007 Author Share Posted August 3, 2007 I also have a flight harness and flight leash for allowing it to fly for a fairly good distance. That will help with letting up some pent up energy! I ended up with a manzanita ladder instead of a perch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dblhelix Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Be careful on the "honeycomb" looking perches. I recall one owner indicating that somehow their grey got a nail stuck in there and it turned into a bad scene. I would stick with solid perches. Definitely some texture is good and slight diameter changes is best for their feet as it mimicks what they would encounter out in the wild, but I would stay away from those with holes in em...:ohmy: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toni Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Robertskitty, How long is your flight leash? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Also when using the harness and a long flight leash, be aware of predators such as hawks and eagles that might prey on your grey while in flight, it does happen, sad to say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertsKitty Posted August 3, 2007 Author Share Posted August 3, 2007 I will keep that in mind. The flight leash is as small as 30’ x 30’ and as large as 50’ x 80’ Its tangle proof so thats nice. I'm not really sure exactly how it works but it comes with a DVD so that will help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toni Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 You know I think I will stick to wings clip and walking around the block. even though no eagles or hawks around here. Just the thought of the harness slipping lose then bye bye birdie....um no thankyou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertsKitty Posted August 3, 2007 Author Share Posted August 3, 2007 Yeah I know what you mean. I intend to fully test it for at least 2 weeks inside BEFORE I even CONSIDER taking it for a spin outside. I'll probably wait till the clipped wings are just beginning to grow out before I try the harness outside the first several times.<br><br>Post edited by: RobertsKitty, at: 2007/08/02 21:28 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts