My new house guest

[labell]

A friend got in touch with me some people she knows bought an African Grey from a small home breeder. The breeders only have one pair and they wanted to get the babies sold so they could go on vacation. So they convinced the people that hand feeding isn't hard. Anyway they quickly realized they were in over their heads and I was contacted to finish hand feeding.

Since I was able to see all the paper work that the baby had been tested and vaccinated I agreed. So this little one will be fed, weaned and allowed to fledge at her pace by me. I must say this actually came at a good time for me as babies are special to me and pampering and feeding a wee one has taken my mind off of current events.

Here she is Miss Willow....

 

[JerseyWendy]

Oh my GAAAAWWWSH, Laura, what a little cutie pie she is!!! She is in PERFECT hands right now, that much is certain!!

And yes, this couldn't have come at a better time! I know how deeply upset you still are over Gidget, your breeder friend's other fids that were lost, and also other matters, so Willow will keep you on your toes.

Now you can't possibly just post one single picture...that's just not fair!!

 

[Kiwibird]

I just want to scoop her up and take her home with me! Baby birds at that stage are too cute for words What a perfect little girl to pamper and love right now.

 

[Birdman666]

Why on earth do breeders give baby birds to inexperienced people "to finish hand feeding?"

I've done most of the work, now I'll give him to you, and you can mess him up, or kill him...

I makes absolutely no sense to me!!!

 

[labell]

Why on earth do breeders give baby birds to inexperienced people "to finish hand feeding?"

I've done most of the work, now I'll give him to you, and you can mess him up, or kill him...

I makes absolutely no sense to me!!!

I agree Mark but at least these people realized that they were lied to and didn't continue to kid themselves and sought help.

Not blowing my own horn but I really am good at this part. Babies raised by me are well adjusted, happy, not fearful and full of confidence because I allow them to do everything they need to at their pace no matter how long it takes. I made this very clear to them how important it is that babies are not force weaned and not clipped before they are very skilled at landing and flying.

 

[Birdman666]

Preaching to the chior. It's critical for their psychological development, and study after study shows it.

Yet commercial breeders continue to force wean and clip, because doing it "the right way" is inconvenient...

Well, it is.

 

[labell]

Oh and speaking of clipping the breeders told these folks that they recommend as soon as the baby takes it's first clumsy flight you should lightly clip so they don't get hurt! This makes me just as angry as selling un-weaned! I said sure that is absolutely what you do if you want to end up with a fearful, clumsy, plucking neurotic grey. I explained in detail how I allow them to slowly learn to fly and after explaining it to them they were on board as I would not have taken this on if they didn't allow me to raise the baby the way it should be.

There is NOTHING cuter in my opinion than a baby flapping her new wings, walking on the floor when they get their first taste of lift off! The look on their little faces of WOW I can fly is priceless!

 

[Birdman666]

Exactly! Where do these idiots get this stuff?!

All baby CAGS are clumsy... ALL OF THEM. The only way they ever learn NOT TO BE CLUMSY... is to allow them to work at it until they get the hang of it.

And that's a confidence builder.

 

[Birdman666]

There is NOTHING cuter in my opinion than a baby flapping her new wings, walking on the floor when they get their first taste of lift off! The look on their little faces of WOW I can fly is priceless!

The first time a BTM or RFM figures out they can HOVER in flight, and then change directions... that's a game changer! The eyes light up...

OR the instant the baby BTM figures out that no cage can hold it... that's a game changer in a completely different sense. "It's all lap time now!"

 

[Allee]

Awww Laura! What a beautiful baby. Miss Willow couldn't have found anyone better to help her through this important stage and what beautiful timing for you. I'm sure Willow's care will be therapeutic for you, and she will be a well adjusted happy adult, thanks to you.

We really do need more photos!

 

[labell]

Okay you twisted my arm...

 

[labell]

Oh they (breeders) marked her head with purple to show at a glance that she was the girl. I had to giggle my husband asked if it was a new mutation of Grey.

 

[Birdman666]

Tell him, no, this bird converted to Hinduism... the dot symbolizes letting the light of knowledge enter his little bird brain.

 

[Allee]

Thank you, Laura! How precious, she's too cute for words. I want to pick her up and snuggle her.

 

[labell]

Tell him, no, this bird converted to Hinduism... the dot symbolizes letting the light of knowledge enter his little bird brain.

LOL Mark I WISH I had thought of that response too funny!

 

[Birdman666]

tell him, no, this bird converted to hinduism... The dot symbolizes letting the light of knowledge enter his little bird brain. :d

lol mark i wish i had thought of that response too funny!

she's here to seek her spiritual path to enlightenment... :d

 

[JerseyWendy]

Thank you so much for the additional photos, Laura! She's one STUNNING young lady, that Miss Willow!!! She looks quite large with her silver plumage!

 

[Hawk]

Exactly! Where do these idiots get this stuff?!

All baby CAGS are clumsy... ALL OF THEM. The only way they ever learn NOT TO BE CLUMSY... is to allow them to work at it until they get the hang of it.

And that's a confidence builder.

I remember my Grey all the way back to when it was the clumsiest thing on 2 legs....but the cooing they make as a baby and the face that studies you when they are that young is adorable.

I have video's of my grey at a few weeks old and another at 3 months.
I'm not sure how to up load them to the site here. Tried but it wouldn't let me. Must be a premium option huh?

 

[Hawk]

Those pictures are just adorable. Are you planning to take the bird in or just helping them out with the weening? I wouldn't be able to let go of her. It's just too hard not to love a Grey.

 

[labell]

Those pictures are just adorable. Are you planning to take the bird in or just helping them out with the weening? I wouldn't be able to let go of her. It's just too hard not to love a Grey.

I am just being surrogate mom. I adore all the babies I have ever raised and while it is hard letting them go I know that I have provided the best start to being a happy well adjusted adult bird. That brings me a lot of joy!