What do I need when I bring home baby?

[Medic3709]

I am curious as to what I am going to need in place when I finally get to bring the little ball of feathers home. I know obviously a cage and food but what is the best type of food for a newly weaned baby grey? But also what kind of toys should I get, just small simple toys or extravagant with all the bells and whistle toys? I have ready some of the forums that say to put the first perches low the the bottom of the cage to limit the space they may fall, and I have heard to not put the perches that come with the cage in as they are too smooth and the babes can slip off of them. What kind of cleaning material, bathing, medical etc. And my final question for anyone that may know is I am interested in getting it microchiped and possibly with a GPS type chip. Anyone know where to get them? I hope to be able to pay for my little featherd friend in August or September and over the next couple of months we will be buying the cage, play gyms, toys and etc, but just need some guidance as to what I am going to need right away. I know as it ages the more inticate the toys need to be to stimulate them, but I didn't want to have this big scary alien looking toy hanging in the cage to frighten it. Thanks in advance.

[judygram]

First off, we have some threads that deal with some of the things you ask about, just look around the nursery room for lots of ideas and suggestions.

 

I also recommend putting the perches low in the cage and maybe putting a towel on the bottom to cushion any falls the baby makes, you can cover the towel with newspaper to keep it clean. You need to get some different perches, some cement ones to help keep the nails filed and other types of varying sizes to keep the feet in good condition.

 

Do a search for toys and browse thru to find some good suggestions and you can find some good toys in the baby section of your local stores, they are cheaper than made for bird toys. They need some they can shred, tear up and otherwise destroy to keep them busy and occupied.

 

Some of the members take their greys in with them when they take a shower or use some type of sprayer or mister to wet their greys down for bathing, some will bathe themselves and then some hate getting baths. But the important thing is they do need to get thoroughly wet at least 2 times a week for the dust and to moisturize the skin.

 

Several members do have their greys microchipped and I have heard from others about the new GPS type chip, now that would be neat, but I don't know where to find them, maybe ask your avian vet or do a internet search for them.

 

Others will chime in with more ideas and suggestions.

[lovemyGreys]

Judy has given you some good advice.

As far as food if your baby has been weaned correctly by a good breeder then he/she should be eating a healthy varied diet when you bring him/her home.A good quality seed mix with/ or a pelleted diet,including a variation of veggies & fruit.

 

Im pretty sure a microchip with GPS is not yet available, but double check with your vet.

[Tycos_mom]

I'm waiting for the gps microchip to come out its not out but it should be soon. Mind you I live in Canada so it may be out in the States now. My vet said probubly 6 month to a year. I'm not getting my birds done until it comes out. What good is a micro chip without it. If someone finds your lost bird African Grey do you really think they are going to take it to the vet to find out who the owner is. I doubt it so If I were you I woud wait until the Gps comes out that way at least you can track your bird if it ever should get lost heaven forbid.