ibayiish Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Hello everyone! I'm new here, I do not yet own a grey and honestly I'm trying to figure out if one would be a good match for me and my family. I'm very interested in learning as much as I can about them, before I impulse buy a life long companion. I have been researching online, checking out informational you tube videos and some which are just cute and funny. I figured the best way to learn, and make a decision is to lurk around here and read some of the issues, concerns, stories that actual owners share and I hope that is okay. I plan to ask question and involve myself in this community so when I do or if I do decide to go ahead and bring a grey into my family I'll have a little knowledge under my belt. Well just wanted to say Hi! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvparrots Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Welcome to the GreyForum. There is oodles of information in these threads so read and ask all the questions you want. We do love our greys.! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRSeedBurners Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Just know that if you do it right, you're basically getting another kid that will never go to school and never move out. They need their little meals and they need toys and LOTS of attention. Our birds have taken over our life and I wouldn't have it any other way. Some people can't deal with that once the novelty wears off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acappella Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 I agree, you can't over estimate the extent to which these little grey monsters take over. If you do it right, having a parrot affects most aspects of your life. How you vacation, how often you go out, what you eat, how you entertain in you own home, how you use your space (what kind of cookware you use, not burning candles or scented products ...) , how you value and protect your home (think grey nibbled door and window frames), and these are just the things I thought of off the top of my head. That being said, they add a lot of joy to our lives and most if not all the members here love their little grey bosses. I think the fact that you're doing the research is a great indicator of what kind of parront you would be. Still, read through the forum rooms and you'll get a good sense of what kind of trials and frustrations grey owners go through. Also, as you consider your options please consider adopting a re-homed parrot. As much fun as a baby is, as the mother of a re-home I can tell you that they add an extra rewarding aspect to adding a bird to your life. Sadly, there are lots of birds out there looking for their forever home. Of course you have to do what is best for your life and your family, I just wanted to put that thought in your head lol. Enjoy your reading and welcome to the forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranaz Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Welcome into our GreyForum. Taking on a parrot is a longt term committment and you are right to think it over well before you committ. Good luck and feel free to ask whats on your mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katana600 Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Hello and welcome to the forum. Just by your introduction, careful and methodical research method and an introspective approach to the idea of adding a grey to your family, you are already thinking very much like your potential companion. With that generalization set aside, every individual grey will be unique and every home is also a dynamic, ever evolving combination of characters and companions. For myself, the question I needed to embrace was this "What if I get a grey and its a lot harder than I imagine? Can I commit to the lifetime of this exquisite creature and hang on through the steep learning curve?" It really is more like adopting an alien family member. With resolve, respect and a lot of hard work from everyone involved, the rewards are great. Good luck in your research. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray P Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Welcome to the grey forum. As you have read you can see that greys are a very important part of our lives and their well being is No. 1 in our lives. Read all you can and make sure that there is a lot of room in your lives for a grey to fit into. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibayiish Posted January 6, 2015 Author Share Posted January 6, 2015 Thank you everyone! I know life expectancy is very long, I also understand that the time dedicated will be a lot. I will try to absorb as much as I can, at least that's the plan. Since I was a little child I have wanted a grey, I've had budgies and I'm sure it is a completely different experience and I may be in no way prepared now for a grey right now. I do not rehome and that is not an option regardless of circumstances, I wouldn't put my children in foster homes, or give them up for adoption and I believe the same thing about my other babies. I wouldn't be closed to the idea of adopting an older grey either. Right now I'm a sponge, just absorbing everything I can, I have time to make my decision, I will never bring one into my family while I'm not ready! So for right now the information hunting is underway! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRSeedBurners Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Well, on the flip side, if you know in your heart that you would make a good companion/caretaker don't wait! I regret waiting nearly 20 years to get another one after losing my first. I always put it down to remembering how messy and destructive they are and did I REALLY want to get back into that mode again? The trigger for me was my inability to deal with an upcoming empty nest. Once I got my Grey again I wished I wouldn't have lost so many years of living with one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibayiish Posted January 6, 2015 Author Share Posted January 6, 2015 .. I won't wait that long but planning on it within the next 6 months or so. I think that will give enough time to know what I'm getting into, get a set up ready, find a good vet, rearrange my house to be more safe, and what not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VStar Mama Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Hehehe...I am looking for my trainer also. Have been for quite a while now. Can't seem to find one that really wants me but that's not going to stop me from looking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brat Birds Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Welcome! You are doing it the right way. Making sure you have a lot of information is great. Since they are individuals you can never preview all possibilities, but knowing most of them will help. Enjoy your time here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerial.2000 Posted January 9, 2015 Share Posted January 9, 2015 not sure how big your family is or if you have children.... definitely research. Marco is a great family bird but definitely not everyone in the family can touch her and I don't let the grand kids (6 & 4) anywhere near her she gets nervous Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibayiish Posted January 10, 2015 Author Share Posted January 10, 2015 Actually I do, I have an 11 year old and a 3 year old. Do you plan to introduce your grand kids to your grey in the future? I know a bite can draw blood, specially a small child. It's something I have taken into consideration. I also have dragons and I'm careful with the kids around them even though they're not prone to bites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerial.2000 Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 I keep Marco either HIGH atop her cage (there is a play gym on it and a tall perch) or keep her in her cage if they get to running round. She hasn't nipped them but I make sure to tell them not to stick their fingers in her cage etc. I think if they were around more, she might get used to them but they only come over maybe once a month then get to running in and out and the commotion shes not used to so she gets nervous and even flighty. She'll take off into the kitchen. If I pick her up in a nervous state, she'll even bite me where as, she never ever bites me. Heck the dogs too close to her make her nervous !!!!!! Im sure if your children spend the time with a baby you might not have this type of situation. I hear there are many birds out there that respond to numerous people in a family or household. Marco loves me, tolerates hubby but has bit him pretty good more then once, and likes my friend but once again my friend has put in alottt of time to gain her trust infact Im amazed what he can do with her. Good luck on your decision. Course my friend has a sun conure just a baby still. She is alot smaller then Marco but she is soooooo so so loving and just wants cuddled and tucked up in my hair or behind my neck or in my friends hoodie. Complete opposite of Marco and anyone can handle her just fine at any time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvparrots Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 My greys are tame and they and I have a great relationship. I do have young grandkids and I do not let them touch my parrots. In fact I keep my birds in their cages when the young kids are around. Open doors are my greatest fear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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