Edwinsmommy
New member
BACKSTORY~ I had been researching about Greys for almost a year when I finally decided to go to a bird store. When I went I originally thought they only sold cages and toys and was ready to take the next step even though I had yet to get a bird, I wanted to be prepared while I looked into breeders. The first bird store I set my foot into, not only had cages but also had a brand new 2 week old baby grey (the owner has a round the clock staff that tends to the babies!). Although we had saved up for a grey we werent the type to impulse buy. Even with a year of research behind us we were not sure we were ready, but the moment I saw Edwin I KNEW I had to have him. So we paid for him right then and there without thinking about it any further, and it could not have been a better decision. We obviously were not able to bring him home that day but we spent the next two and a half months visiting him everyday. Finally he was brought home at about 11 weeks fully weened (they said he hated being away from me). And things have not been the same since.
The things Edwin has taught me:
1. Do not have expectations~ Many people may have expectations for their birds talking, but I did not. I knew my stuff, I knew it may never happen and if it did it wouldnt be for a long time. But not with Edwin. Within two months of bringing him home he was saying step-up, and he has not stopped talking since. At 8 months his vocab has blown me out of the water, I honestly never expected him to talk, and now he talks back.
2. Never do everything with your bird..... they mimmic too much~ I say this because Edwin has done everything with me, including sit in the bathroom for "private" time. Now he uses his own "toilet" instead of pooping everywhere in his cage. Yeah my bird has a "toilet" now. Now if only I could potty train my toddler.
3. Sleep Schedules, what's that?~ We were those bird owners who actually went out and bought a sleep cage. Well he didn't like that. And we were fully prepared to work around his sleep schedule to make sure he got the sleep he needed. Well Edwin is a party animal, and likes to be up as long as possible. We have even gone to bed early in hopes that he might go to sleep, but we will hear him playing well into the night. 10-12 hours of sleep, please!
4. The best toys in life are your toes~ I have spent so much money on toys, expensive ones, cheap ones, foraging, shredding, if they have made it I have bought it. He could care a less if he is out about those dang toys, give him some toes to chase and he is in the money. The expensive toys he wont touch and the cheap ones he goes through in hours. The bird has a stock of toys in waiting just for this reason. SPOILED!
5. Fine dinning is where its at~ Zupreem is great and he loves it but honey it has to be made just to his standards. Oh and throw in some of what your having too, cuz its all his. Nevermind those average costing fruits and vegetables either cuz they just wont make the cut. Give me the expensive stuff he says.
6. Never EVER give your bird a bell~ We thought a bell would be fun for him, and we could stand it. Well Edwin will attack his bell and yell "mommy". And of course I am one of those moms who runs anytime any of my kids hollers for me. Yeah now who is the sucker? That would be me. Yeah he rings it whenever he wants out now.
7. You always have room in your heart for more~ Who knew this little feathered guy would be able to weasel his way in? And offer so much love in return.
8. Don't let your bird and your toddler to get too close~ They are in Cohoots people! I swear it, she is his little minion and he is going to take over the world! It's like pinky and the brain all over again. If he wants something he isnt supposed to have, who gets it for him or even better SHARES? Yeah that would be my two year old. Suckers and sippy cups included. Not good people not good.
9. Don't ever walk away during an argument~ Cuz he will find you and he will have the last word (or chirp). I can hear the clicking of his feet now.....
10. There are times to be serious and times that you just cant keep a straight face~ Disciplining children has becoming a daunting task, in the middle of lectures all I hear is "uh oh", "told you", "tattle tale" and "not good". I can't keep a straight face half the time cuz he times his comments perfectly.
HAHA! I thought I would share this post, cuz it has become my life and although I am joking here, I can be serious with my bird too. Just dont tell him that!
The things Edwin has taught me:
1. Do not have expectations~ Many people may have expectations for their birds talking, but I did not. I knew my stuff, I knew it may never happen and if it did it wouldnt be for a long time. But not with Edwin. Within two months of bringing him home he was saying step-up, and he has not stopped talking since. At 8 months his vocab has blown me out of the water, I honestly never expected him to talk, and now he talks back.
2. Never do everything with your bird..... they mimmic too much~ I say this because Edwin has done everything with me, including sit in the bathroom for "private" time. Now he uses his own "toilet" instead of pooping everywhere in his cage. Yeah my bird has a "toilet" now. Now if only I could potty train my toddler.
3. Sleep Schedules, what's that?~ We were those bird owners who actually went out and bought a sleep cage. Well he didn't like that. And we were fully prepared to work around his sleep schedule to make sure he got the sleep he needed. Well Edwin is a party animal, and likes to be up as long as possible. We have even gone to bed early in hopes that he might go to sleep, but we will hear him playing well into the night. 10-12 hours of sleep, please!
4. The best toys in life are your toes~ I have spent so much money on toys, expensive ones, cheap ones, foraging, shredding, if they have made it I have bought it. He could care a less if he is out about those dang toys, give him some toes to chase and he is in the money. The expensive toys he wont touch and the cheap ones he goes through in hours. The bird has a stock of toys in waiting just for this reason. SPOILED!
5. Fine dinning is where its at~ Zupreem is great and he loves it but honey it has to be made just to his standards. Oh and throw in some of what your having too, cuz its all his. Nevermind those average costing fruits and vegetables either cuz they just wont make the cut. Give me the expensive stuff he says.
6. Never EVER give your bird a bell~ We thought a bell would be fun for him, and we could stand it. Well Edwin will attack his bell and yell "mommy". And of course I am one of those moms who runs anytime any of my kids hollers for me. Yeah now who is the sucker? That would be me. Yeah he rings it whenever he wants out now.
7. You always have room in your heart for more~ Who knew this little feathered guy would be able to weasel his way in? And offer so much love in return.
8. Don't let your bird and your toddler to get too close~ They are in Cohoots people! I swear it, she is his little minion and he is going to take over the world! It's like pinky and the brain all over again. If he wants something he isnt supposed to have, who gets it for him or even better SHARES? Yeah that would be my two year old. Suckers and sippy cups included. Not good people not good.
9. Don't ever walk away during an argument~ Cuz he will find you and he will have the last word (or chirp). I can hear the clicking of his feet now.....
10. There are times to be serious and times that you just cant keep a straight face~ Disciplining children has becoming a daunting task, in the middle of lectures all I hear is "uh oh", "told you", "tattle tale" and "not good". I can't keep a straight face half the time cuz he times his comments perfectly.
HAHA! I thought I would share this post, cuz it has become my life and although I am joking here, I can be serious with my bird too. Just dont tell him that!
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