Today's the day!

suncon97 · Aug 5, 2011

Today I finally can go get our african grey! I have been waiting about 3 days(it's hard with something exciting like this). Everybody has agreed to give up non-stick cookware and to put perfume/cologne on OUTSIDE. Those were our two main issues. We also have everything setup now. The cage,toys,food(food coming in tomorrow but breeder is giving us some to get started). So we should have everything prepared for it. The only thing I had no say so in was the placement of the cage. It's in the front room which is right out of the kitchen and theres even a cutout in the wall so we can see into the front room and out the front windows. This shouldn't be such a big deal since we're using stainless steel now but I will wheel the bird into my room when we bake(nearly never) So do you guys/girls think we're ready for her arrival? Does anybody have any tips or good info about some tricky things with grey's or problems that new owner have?Thanks in advance. :grey:

Mayden · Aug 5, 2011

All I really have to say (having never owned a grey) would be congratulations on your new fid.

Spiritbird · Aug 5, 2011

One tip I learned about socialization is to expose your little grey to something new at least once a day. That way they will not be so afraid of things. It could be a walk around the house looking at things, a pen, a mirror and so on. There is a game you can play too. Have everyone in the family sitting around and pass the bird from person to person saying soft, nice things. This is one way the bird will get to know you. Wait about 2 or 3 weeks before doing these Things. Do you have a name yet?

suncon97 · Aug 5, 2011

We all decided on Pearl. Do you think my dog will stress her out a lot? She usually stares at new animals for a day or two then gets over them. People I have talked to though said the birds show the dog who's boss...Idk if I believe this? Would it be better for the first night if pearl was in my bedroom with the door closed so she wouldn't be stressed?

HRH Di · Aug 5, 2011

My Ruby was almost named Pearl!

Our dog is kind of afraid of the birdies. He's a big (120 lb) chicken but would like to play with them. They think he a smelly, icky boy and don't want to. So, bascially, no one really notices each other much.

However, you never know how they'll react until you introduce them. Even then, you have to be constantly viginlant. Never leave your birdie out with the dog unattended. You're just asking for heartbreak.

suncon97 · Aug 5, 2011

I can't trust my dog around any animals.Only around humans

For some reason we were drawn to Pearl lol. We're picking up new cookers today too. Stainless steel isn't harmful for birds right?

oled · Aug 5, 2011

Good luck !

Netty · Aug 5, 2011

All my birds DEFINETLY tried to show my dog who is boss, back when i still had birds I also had a gernam shepherd... The love birds loved him but they put him in his place to the point he would stay in the laundry room when they were just in their cages being loud.

The only one he didn't have an issue with was my "special need" (brain damaged) lovebird. they got along fabulously. Even though it was a dog (previous owners) that fell on her and gave her the brain damage she was happy to sit on my knee and preen my dogs collar.

Each bird is an individual so while MOST may put the run on the dog you do get the occasional misfit that loves on em! lol

CONGRATZ on your new grey!

Everyone getting theirs is making me impatient to get mine I wish that reno's would quit on my apartment building so that I could move back in and get my grey too!
lol

EDIT: to answer your question stainless steel is fine

if you enjoy making cookies i advise to get a stone wear cookie sheet... OMG such evenly baked cookies on them the whole sheet the same colour on the bottom not one side burnt the other barely browned they always come out golden brown!!

Colorguarder08 · Aug 5, 2011

When I had dogs (both golden retrievers) Bianica my older one never paid any attention to the birds I used to have 2 but now only have 1. Abby on the other hand well she just kept doing anything she could to get up close and personal with them. However one morning I woke up walked past the bird cage paying no attention to it went to the bathroom came back and laid in bed stared at the cage and noticed something looked off but I couldn't figure it out. Then suddenly it hit me the cage door was wide open. LUCKILY both birds were still in their cage and Abby was on the bed laying next to me as always and Bianica was on the floor where she always slept. However I DO realize that situation could have ended VERY differently and I was just lucky that morning.

birdmama61 · Aug 5, 2011

Yep my quakers are my dogs best friends . But even so I still supervise so the birds dont hurt the dogs . I never worry about the dogs hurting the birds around here it is vice versa . My quakers dont go out of their way to hurt the dog but if they dog keeps following them they run at them and my dog high tails it away LOL !!! I have chihuahuas and they are so afraid of my birds . but my male chihuahua he will let the birds ride on his back and it is so cute . He has done this since he was a puppy .

Colorguarder08 · Aug 5, 2011

When I was able to take Halloween out of her cage I never ever let either dog in the room and Bianica had seperation anxiety so that was annoying for me and difficult for the dog. I did not want any accidents to happen and I still have no idea how the cage door managed to be opened that night as I ALWAYS checked the door before I went to bed. Now I use a plastic clip one of those for like a potatoe chip bag and I use it to keep her cage closed.

Cowtown · Aug 5, 2011

Just remember that dogs are natural hunters and birds are natural prey..
My Abby doesn't fret with the dogs.. Harley my Schnauzer is a lover of all animals and humans.. Lucy my 1/2 Schnauzer and 1/2 Cow dog is another story, I do not trust her at all. She has caught birds in the back yard several times... I do not let Abby out unless she is with me.

Good luck and be patient Pearl is coming into a new surrounding with all kinds of new sights and sounds... she will be nervous at first just talk to her and give her time to adjust..

Autumn · Aug 5, 2011

I'd say your definately ready! pictures pictures PICTURES when you get back! Lol I don't know if I'm jealous.

suncon97 · Aug 5, 2011

I'll post pics tomorrow. We just got her home a bit ago and she has a great attitude! She only mouths our fingers with her beak and willingly steps up! She is starting to make little noises almost like dog growls(she came from a house with dogs) She LOVES the top of her cage. There is a toy hook and she always crawls up to the top but the cage is so dang tall I can't reach it with the hook lol. She isn't to good at getting down. I have to help her. She didn't seem nervous at all when she got home. When she was crawling out of her cage she lost balance and was only hanging on with one foot but I got her

Then she came right up to my face and squeaked. Everybody loves her! She is 3 1/2 months now. We only interacted with her physically about 10 minutes. Then we just talked to her. Now she's resting. As for my dog the parrot pays no attention so the dog got over it LoL.

Autumn · Aug 5, 2011

Amazing connection! Now I am zealous

suncon97 · Aug 5, 2011

I think she's gonna fit in great here

I can't wait til' she squawks at my dog because my little dog is pulling on the cage cover. She squawked at people at the gas station from inside the car;D I love her already.

Rennagade · Aug 6, 2011

HA! My dog is terrified of my Alex's. Macey is a Great Dane X Bull Mastiff which is a VERY large dog. Though my birds never spend any time on the ground if they do jump off their play area and glide down and the dog is in the path back to their play area LOOK OUT! Macey learnt VERY quickly who was boss in our house! If the birds hit the ground Macey leaves the room and so does my cat J. Macey and J are great buddies but top of the food chain in our house is Gretchen. Zeus would be friends with them but they're too scared because of 'a little bit evil' Gretchen.
You seem SUPER set up! Not many people would go to as much trouble as you have. Well done. I love seeing birds going to homes where people are truly going to care for their well being. But now I feel a bit lax....I NEVER leave the house to put on my deoderant! I do it in the bathroom with the door closed but man, it's cold outside!

suncon97 · Aug 6, 2011

Haha I bet when Pearl is fully grown she will look down onto my dog even more(she's only a minpin) I gave Pearl her first warm mist this morning. She ruffles her feathers and shakes then puts each one down then does it again. Right now my dog is watching her. She acts like she falls asleep,my dog leaves the room,then she starts up again. Also people are right they are VERY attention demanding! She just sits on my arm while I go around the house. I'm really glad she's gonna be an everyday part of my life!

merlinsmom13 · Aug 6, 2011

Congrats, enjoy your new girl. Would love to see pics.

suncon97 · Aug 6, 2011

Will do. She flung a piece of food at my dog.

Today's the day!

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A wrong concept

Trying to decide on a cage...

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