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Post by Marcie on Apr 10, 2005 7:56:06 GMT -7
I recently recieved a ten month old African grey and have done endless hours of reading and research. There are two things I would like more information on. First, I would like to know what techniques others have used for teaching their AG to talk. Second, I have read a lot about the feather dust that AG's create and would like to know how others have controlled this problem or have reduced the amount that is created so that it was manageable. Thanks to everyone in advance.
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Post by Jane on Apr 10, 2005 8:37:36 GMT -7
I think it is best just to talk as in normal conversation, but talk as much as you can. Greys usually pick up and repeat whatever they choose to regardless of how often they hear something. Always tell your grey what you are doing, what you are giving him to eat etc. Say good morning and bye bye at the appropriate times.
Regarding the dust I haven't really found a way to reduce it, but I know some people use air filters and things like that.
Jane
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Post by Marcie on Apr 10, 2005 16:25:44 GMT -7
Hi Jane,
Thank you for responding and for the information. Was there any studies done on this dust that the greys and cockatoos produce to see if it is detrimental to the owner's health like the budgie and pigeon breeder's lung disease? I haven't encountered a problem with it as yet but I have been told by a couple of owners that the dust makes them sneeze. I guess I will have to get myself a couple of good air filters and try to get my bird use to bathes. Thanks again.
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Post by Jane on Apr 10, 2005 16:31:08 GMT -7
Well, people can be allergic to the dust and sometimes people have had to rehome greys because they have become allergic to the dust and dander.
Jane
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Post by mannie on Apr 10, 2005 20:35:25 GMT -7
Hiya Marcie. I agree with Jane. Jack picks up what ever we may say. Even if he has only heard it once. Another thing that I found that he does, he will sit in his cage or out with us and mumble. I have figured out with the help of Preston that he is practicing what he is trying to say. As far as the dander goes. It's really a lost cause. I have 3 birds. My lorikeet really doesnt have alot of dander but my grey and cockatiel do and there is not way i have found to "control" it. Giving them a regular bath helps tho.
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Post by marcie on Apr 11, 2005 5:08:48 GMT -7
I stopped by a pet store on my home to see what treats I could find for Luther. They had several parrots for sale and two were African greys. I gave them a quick look over  and noticed that one had three white toe nails on each of it's feet. They were advertised as young birds with no specific age. Is this normal to have white toe nails or is this bird is a very old one? |
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Post by Jane on Apr 11, 2005 5:42:54 GMT -7
I have heard about greys having white toe nails. I think it is a genetic thing.
You can tell the approximate age of a grey by the eye colour. A baby will have all-black eyes. After several months they start to lighten and gradually go through pale grey at around a year and finally end up the pale yellow of the adult at around 2 to 3 years.
Jane
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Post by Africannewbie on Apr 12, 2005 0:01:00 GMT -7
Hi Jane,
You are the greatest. This forum is the best. It is a goldmine for information.
I learned something new again today that I have not read anywhere else. Your description of how to tell a young grey from baby to adulthood by it's eye color.
As a newbie it means a lot to me that you are so gracious and willing to share your knowledge and help ignorant hobbyists like myself to become better grey owners. Thanks a million.
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Post by madness and stinky on Apr 12, 2005 3:41:13 GMT -7
Dust and feathers lol , ive been around parrots all my life parents had em too and ive never been bothered by them until recently. i have now developed a wheeze its worse when i sleep lol. but i surpose its better than snoring, but even so the birds will stay , and if hubby gets stressed about the wheezing waking him up he will be moving to the spare room, lol. Dont know why i wrote this but couldnt find any other posts to answer too lol. OH while im here, Madness has learnt a new trick, im usually down stairs quite early in mornings then go and do an hour work on pc as i work from home then im back with the birds, but yesterday i over slept and went straight to pc which is in our spare bed room . only to find madness had escaped from cage and was sitting on back of pc chair waiting for me lol. i found this very amusing but havent a clue how he got out of the cage as all his doors were still closed and stinky was still locked in on his own in a huff lol. funny little birdie.
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Dana
Weaned Todd
Joined: February 2005
Posts: 33
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Post by Dana on Apr 12, 2005 19:17:50 GMT -7
We use a Sharper Image Ionic Breeze in the room Oakley is in. I clean it every time I vacuum which averages every other day (three dogs) I can't believe how much it picks up, so I would like to think it does help a little with the feather dust!!  Dana |
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ranae
Weaned Todd
Okay, I'm ready for my close-up! I've always thought my right side was the most photogenic!
Joined: March 2005
Posts: 86
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Post by ranae on Apr 13, 2005 7:47:40 GMT -7
Hello Again All, I havent' had the pleasure of posting for awhile since my 'nets been down, but I am back for the moment About the eyecolor-age coorelation...I have heard this widely used to determine age, but I have a question. My Pearl has papers from the pet store (and a very reputable vet) saying that she was born in Nov. of 2004. Therefore, she should only be about 5 mos old. BUT, she has a very black pupil with a very light gray iris. Is this normal? Could she have been passed off as that much younger than she actually is? Not that it matters to me either way, but I was just wondering. Thanks a ton! Ranae and Pearl |
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Post by Jane on Apr 13, 2005 8:05:42 GMT -7
That does sound very young to have very light grey eyes. There is bound to be a range among greys and I suppose it is possible that an individual bird could have eyes that changed very early. What colour were they when you first had her?
Jane
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ranae
Weaned Todd
Okay, I'm ready for my close-up! I've always thought my right side was the most photogenic!
Joined: March 2005
Posts: 86
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Post by ranae on Apr 14, 2005 7:51:09 GMT -7
When I first got her, they were a darker light gray around the iris. Like I said, I love my Pearl no matter what, I don't care if she's a year old or whatever, but I wouldn't like to think that both the petstore and the vet would have lied!! Oh, well. She's great no matter how old she is, and her eyes aren't turning pale yellow yet so at least she's not over 2. Thanks Jane! PS. I read the theory about males having solid red feather and females having red feather with a little silver lining on the tail. I went home and checked Pearl out, and she has bright red tail feather with black edges. Is there any theory about that? Thanks again! |
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Post by Jane on Apr 14, 2005 8:03:02 GMT -7
I think what you are seeing in the tail feathers is the colouration of a young bird. They often have black edges to the red feathers.
However the pale silver seen on a female is a delicate very pale silver edging and it is just on the under and over tail coverts. You will have to wait until after the first molt to see this feature!
Jane
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ranae
Weaned Todd
Okay, I'm ready for my close-up! I've always thought my right side was the most photogenic!
Joined: March 2005
Posts: 86
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Post by ranae on Apr 14, 2005 10:18:50 GMT -7
Aha! Gotcha Thanks for all of your help. So maybe my baby is still a baby after all. Go figure!  |
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and noticed that one had three white toe nails on each of it's feet. They were advertised as young birds with no specific age. Is this normal to have white toe nails or is this bird is a very old one?
