Here's to new friends and much needed advice :)

Hello Peggy & welcome!
Have you tried this site?
BirdBreeders.com - Bird Breeders Directory of Availability and Parrot Breeders

I'm hoping someone can recommend a breeder with first hand knowledge, but wanted to say hi I'm happy you joined us!

Thanks! I'll check it out

Welcome Peggy and Darko! Happy to know you are doing serious research before taking the plunge. Many members strive to find a very local source for the same reasons you state.

This classic thread has much Grey information in a condensed format! http://www.parrotforums.com/congo-timneh-greys/59366-cag-101-a.html

Welcome to you!

Welcome to Parrot Forums!

As a bit of a back-ground to 'Life with an Africa Grey,' please take the time to read: The life and times of Nigel the Great

This one Thread provides an inside picture of the fun and joy of living a Grey Life, when Humor and enjoying the fun with others can bring!

A couple of pointers:
- Africa Grey's are very smart, require intense involvement and interaction with their families! Active involvement is highly recommended.
- As a general statement with all Parrots: Let the Parrot Choice You! The one that keeps coming to the both of you is the one you want!
- Use the vantage point: It is always the Fault of the Human! It is never the Fault of the Parrot! You will more quickly find what you are doing wrong and correct it!
- Cage, as large as you have room for with a full height front door! That door will be a blessing long into the future.
- Begin looking for a Certified Avian Vet (CAV) in your area. Have one prior to bring a Parrot home and have a full 'New Bird' examination within hours or a few days after picking up your new family member.
- Assure that your young Parrot has its Birth Papers: CITES required Document Set for Class I and II Avians. And, provide those to your CAV to copy and make part of your Parrots Medical file. Keep those documents in a very safe place.
- And, the most basic of them all: There is never a dumb questions!

Again Welcome to Parrot Forums!

Welcome!

Just wanted to mention in case you are unaware that adopting a parrot is also an option! Parrot rescues in most states are overflowing with juvenile and adult birds who need loving homes too. Many shelters also provide courses on parrot behavior and care, and offer continued advice/support after the bird comes home. As large parrots like African grays live 65+ years, a 10 or 20 year old bird is still quite young. As I said, just bringing it up. People know about adopting dogs/cats from shelters, but very few seem to realize there are avian shelters as well. I had no clue when first looking to get a bird, but am glad I found out it was an option before putting a deposit down with a breeder. Love my rescue bird and he has definitely bonded very strongly to us over the years!

Good luck in your search for the new feathered family member!

Hello to you & Darko,

Welcome to the Forums, glad you found us.

An African Grey is an excellent choice, if I don't say so myself.

I was going to recommend CAG 101, and saw that Scott already added the link.
That is an great place to start. I researched for years prior to getting Levi, books, videos, online searching and forums like this one. The more I learn about the Parrot World, the more I realize I chose the right parrot for our family. I couldn't be happier with my fluff ball.

I'm looking forward to following your story. :heart:
Best of luck to you both!

You’ve come to the right place! You won’t find a kinder, more knowledgeable, or sillier group of parrot people anywhere. Don’t let Nigel’s thread throw you off. Not ALL greys are mafioso.


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Welcome and be welcomed. You are getting great advice here. FYI, it is not needed to get chicks and hand feed, and if you have never done this, you may actually do it wrong and cause your chick. Good breeders only sell fully weaned, fully fledged babies. As babies mature, they can reject the people that reared them and not be happy ( because most parrots leave the nest and seek mates after going thru puberty). Puberty - a CRAZY time on a parrots live, busckets of hormones dumped into their systems, some birds go thru it pretty hard, and it can last for a few years. If i were you , check any shelters locally, this will allow the birds who like to come to you, and most birds surrendered to a shelter are adults ( some with issues, so be forewarned) but still need loving forever homes. Greys are pretty common in shelters, so that may tell you something about life with them. Good luck.

Hi welcome to the forums, I wish you luck and hope you update us with the process!

Wrench I don't think they are looking for an unweaned baby just wants to help out with the raising of a chick (while it's still at the breeders) because it's a good bonding process.

Welcome!
You sound like our kind of folks!
I like how you're being so planful and open to advice.
And this is the place to find it.
I'm glad you're here.

Thanks for all the tips SailBoat

Welcome and thank you for researching before taking the leap into parront hood

Welcome to you and your potential fid (Feathered Kid)! Very nice introduction. You are off to a great start by joining the forum and doing lots of research too!