What do you think???

[morgavin]

As some of you might know, I had recently ( a few months ago ) adopted a YNA. Pepper and I have gone through a great deal of adjustments and turmoil. We are now both trusted and loved. I have been considering adopting another fid, both for me and company for Pepper. Well there is this AG that someone is trying to "get rid of".
I was told he is about 6 years old. About 2 months ago he plucked out almost all of his feathers, I have no idea why, nothing changed in his environment to stress him out. A friend who raises Greys thought that maybe because it was spring time and breeding season, which makes sense, I guess. Anyway, he hasn't done it since and all of his feathers are growing back in nicely.
He talks quite a bit and is tame but takes a lot of patience until he gets to know you. Like most Greys he can be temperamental and can bite pretty hard if you don't pay attention to his signals.

I'm asking $400.00 for him and his cage.

[Jean]

Neil, he's adorable! I can see all the new feather growth. He sounds like a great challenge. Mature CAG's, like too's, often need challenges along with plenty of preening toys. They are extremely intelligent and inquisitive and need mind interaction to challenge them. As far as the price goes, you can't beat that. I am sure, you would be a great daddy for him.

Try to narrow in on his plucking with them. It has to be something traumatic that caused it all of a sudden. He definitely needs a full vet check, blood and stool samples to rule out any medical problem

[morgavin]

Thanks Jean,
One thing I've learned here is "no vet check, no bird";) . The health risks are too great for the new bird and any you already have. It's the feather picking that has me concerned:shrug2: . There are many toys, along with the ones for Pepper, so there will be a great variety to change around. I better hurry on the aviary.......

[Sue]

Neil she's a cutie:heart: That is a really low price and whoever is selling her seems to be pretty honest. I can't see any toys in that cage, does she have them, if not boredom could have been the cause. Looks like you've got the bug:rotflmao: You did a great job with Pepper.

[SadennaAndFlock]

my only concern is you have done so well with pepper I would worry if bringing another bird will have pepper going back a couple steps. CAGS are wonderful no doubt about that, but I wonder if a change this soon could cause problems with you and pepper. If it were me and this is just my own personal opinion but I would wait for a while get to know pepper, establish a wonderful trusting bond which does not happen quickly I have always heard it is always good to wait a year between birds. My concern is for pepper having another bird around so soon that also requires your immediate attention..like I said this is only my opinion. As for the plucking I agree a vet check would be in order, plucking could be caused by a number of things once physical illness is ruled out then it's time to play detective and start ruling out possibilities, something changed in the home and it could be as subtle as something new in the room he/she is in, someone changed their hair style, someone new in the home..it could also be diet food allergy..or just is not getting enough attention or something has scared the poor bird and it is stressed.

[Shirley]

Neil... Greys are so one-person, you may be feeding and caring for him for the next umpteen years and never ever be allowed to pet him. He may step up for you just fine, but never allow you to pet him. Of course, I hope someone gives him a good home. I wish it weren't about the money! Why aren't they just selling the cage and giving the bird to an excellent home? Ok, that was my OT comment. Anyhow, Greys are VERY emotional, sometimes phobic, and often pluck. and for a VARIETY of emotional reasons.

At that age... are you willing to care for the grey and never be able to pet him? That may well be the case.

A friend of mine has two greys... one was 7, the product of a divorce and NOT a plucker, no issues, and the other a weaned baby. She got the 7 yr old first, then 6 mos later the baby. 3 yrs later, she can of course handle the baby, but still talks to and cares for the older bird (both are females). Neither are aggressive or mean or have issues and both obviously love her, but the older one does not allow anyone to touch her. However, she was very bonded to the woman in the marriage a state away.

I left with my sons to travel out of the country for 3 weeks last May '04 and Holly was almost 1 yr old. I was afraid I'd come home and Holly would be upset with me. I totally expected during this time she would allow Steve to finally pet her. 21 days later I walk in the house... Holly perks up, looks at me like "Well, you finally made it back" and acts like I never left. No backlash whatsoever. Acted like I never left. And, she never once allowed Steve to lay a finger on her feathers. She will step up for him or anyone else, though. Just don't touch her... or she'll warn you first, then bite like you would not believe.

It's truly an act of unselfish love to rescue a grey... they are completely content to talk, whistle, live with you, etc and NOT share physical affection with you. Are you (or anyone else for that matter) willing to do the same?

Holly isn't jealous of any of our other birds, nor are they jealous of each other. She's jealous of the phone or me talking to the kids while holding her, if anything.

That's just my :cents:

[amazing greys]

Hi Neil, what a situation to be in, lol. I have to kinda agree w/Sadenna about breaking that bond you have worked so hard to get from Pepper. You still need to be reinforcing that bond and not have something jepordize that. Wouldn't want all that hard work going right out the window. But then again, things could be different and he could enjoy another fellow bird and be just fine :shrug:


As far as one person birds, they can be, but if you do work w/them they can learn to be more sociable. I don't get a whole lot of scritches from Akeela (except our night time pets which she welcomes eagerly) but that has not stopped me from interacting and loving her completely. We have a wonderful relationship, even though hubby is 'hers' lol. So as far as petting, I find that not an issue, and can always be worked on just like you did w/Pepper.

Do what you feel from the :heart:

[morgavin]

Barb and Sedenna,
Pepper was passed around with a grey until the last person kept the grey and I adopted Pepper. She was from a flock of twelve originally.
Everyone,
:thanx: everyone for your input and many valid points. That's why I started the post. I value the judgements from the forum, and will weigh all input in my final decision. I'm not gonna jump into a hasty decision. I want to visit the owner and the bird b4 I go any further. Then, depending on how that goes, weigh the pros and cons. I'll post as thing progress. THNX again

[Shirley]

Sounds great! Looking forward to how the grey responds to you.

[harleybaby]

I agree with Sadenna and Barb also but I was also wondering if maybe it could also be a good thing? Being that Pepper is still adjusting maybe it would be better to bring another bird in now instead of later? and then work on the bond more while the grey is there instead of forming a very strong bond and being used to being the only bird in the house? I was just looking at the other side of it too but I see Sadenna's point too, so :shrug:


Whatever you decide I'm sure it will all work out for you.:)

[Jean]

I read a lot of valid points that I agree with. Some are definite doer's others are things to consider knowing Peppers personality, previous flock interaction, your bonded relationship, and how you feel she would feel about sharing her home and daddy with another bird.

I can not help but feel Leah made a good point. In certain situations if you bring in another bird it could easily make her accept competition, rather sooner then later. I know Elvie would have a fit if he watched me bring another bird "close in size" into our home after he has had all of pour attention like a single child that is being thrown into a situation of not being an only child. When I have bird sit they were always kept at the opposite end of the house, he could hear them but not see them. Please, let us know how it goes.

[BKHagar]

Good luck, Neil! It IS a tough decision!! I know I would be torn with bringing in the gray simply due to his situation- whatever that is! The plucking IS a result of something . . .

We have had Kato, the CAG that we did a rescue for, about 5 wks. now, and he is really coming along. He is stubborn- won't offer to be stepped up on his own much- but can be coaxed or tricked to! *grin* I doubt he has had much physical interaction over the last 5 yrs.- he is going to be 10 on my son's birthday, as we have the hatch date now!!- and he is very tentative about being touched, but does seem to crave it. He will act like he is going to bite, but often only puts his beak against me, and sometimes his tongue. Oh, we've had bites, too, but we are discounting them, since he does not know us completely yet. He is anxious to learn, and very receptive to listening!!

Since all his vet tests were negative for diseases, he now goes into the bird room during the day while we're at work, and he seems to wonder WHY he is out there with the birds! *grin* He comes out to be with us in the evenings, and for the night- in his cage, but he DOES seem to like the company, as well, and already, we can tell the difference in his interaction. Some of the other birds with us now do/say/sing things he does, and vice versa!! I think it's a good situation!

May be good for both birds, or of course it may not be as good for Pepper. It's like kids, though. I don't think a child ever died from having a sibling! They will both grow with your love, and your love will more than double with two! I speak from experience! We love ALL of our wonderful flock, and though it does divide your time, they get to see you gentle, loving, and caring with another bird, too, and I believe they can tell more of who you are that way!

Case in point- a couple of our birds were from a rescue of a group of quakers- practically wild breeder birds. Well, we've had them since November of last year, and EVERY day, Spanky sees Ken work with Chico, our Senegal. The last two weeks, you would not BELIEVE it! Spanky will step INTO Ken's opened palms!! Just the way Chico will! I know he has watched and watched, and it is just an amazing thing! We almost cried we were that surprized and happy!

SO! Whatever you decide, I think you can cope, and if you don't take the grey, I hope another good home does. I DO agree, too, that perhaps the folks should be selling the cage and GIVING the bird to a deserving home where he will have love and attention! *grin* That comes RIGHT from my rescue heart!

GOOD luck, and let us know!

Kim- who turned LONG winded!! Sorry!

[Dynaglide625]

Hi everyone-Just catching up (AGAIN). Boy, everyone has great points pro and con about bringing in the new "fibling" for Pepper. We're still wondering how Seamus is going to handle Carlo's arrival. Seamus was here first, but Carlo's cage is bigger, think he might be a little jealous of that LOL?? At any rate, how much you want to bet we hear from Neil in a few days saying he got the grey anyway? HeHeHeHe Anne

[Jean]

Kim, you have come a long way with many of your rescue adopted birds. I am happy to hear about Spanky's progress. Keep up the good work!

[amazing greys]

Kim, you have come a long way with many of your rescue adopted birds. I am happy to hear about Spanky's progress. Keep up the good work!
DITTO what Jean said :p :D :thumbup:


Very well point in case, Kim!!
I know if it was me................well, we all know that answer :roflmao2: ;)

[morgavin]

Well I am leaning to the adopt side LOL but have had no response to my request to visit or take to the vet. I'm like a dad waiting for delivery and having to patiently wait. I haven't felt this way since my Orange wing some 20+ yrs ago. I haven't had fids since because of the untimely loss of her. Her story in my post about frustrated Amazon. Now that I've adopted Pepper, I feel I can, and want to, take a chance on loving and caring for fids and everyone's input has solidified my desire to rescue another. Bug.... more like an infection that only has one cure. I have been overwhelmed by the number of fids that ppl have purchased without knowing of their needs that want to rid themselves of their "burden." "Too noisy, too needy, no time for, I didn't know" etc. No wonder there are so many rescues. Sad....

[BKHagar]

Thanks, Jean and Barb! It is THE best feeling in the world to see these guys make progress and be happy after who knows WHAT conditions!! Neil is SO right- amazing how many people buy a bird because they are like a decoration, never realizing they are messy, they are loud, and they demand or BEG attention!! Sheeeesh. They are Living Beings! What would one expect?! But some people are very short sighted . . . "Getting rid of" is the worst thing to hear! I can't imagine it! but sometimes it SURE is the lucky thing for a birdie!

Neil, you sound JUST like what I would be feeling! Expectant and anxious! I hope this all works out for you. Things have a way of doing that. I hope you will get to visit soon. Will keep you in my thoughts!

Kim

[Jean]

Neil, I hope everything works out for you and Pepper and the CAG.:heart: I just want to know when you are going to find Salt and Sugar?LOL :emot-danc

[Jean]

You are welcome Kim! :) You have a happy fid family and always seem to find room for one more that's in need a loving home.:heart:

[morgavin]

The "owner" finally got back to me. " I have gotten rid of the bird." He stated that he just wanted to sell it with no added hassles :shrug: . Makes me wonder what kind of person just went and picked him up with no vet check or even a visit. What kind of home has he been adopted by. Hope they care for him well...
From my side, I think things happen for a reason and maybe it wasn't time for me to adopt another. I'll just keep takin' care of business and see where life takes me.:agree: :thanx: for all your input and the many valid points and questions.

[Sue]

Sorry Neil, I thought you had made your mind up, maybe he'll be available again, it seems the people acted impulsively and the seller didn't care about his welfare or who he went to live with.

You are right, things happen for a reason:agree: