Conference 7.286::pet_birds

    I WAS CURIOUS OF WHAT KIND OF BIRDS YOU HAD.

We have 8 birds:

3 budgies, 2 yellow-collared mini macaws, 1 orange-winged amazon, 1 gray
normal cockatiel and 1 lutino cockatiel.

We would probably show the amazon and maybe 1 of the budgies.

Not sure yet.

Luanne Buccieri

    Hi, My boyfriend is also wondering where to obtain a show cage large
    enough to hold his Molucan Cocktoo. 
    
    We would appreicate any help
    
    Lise K.

    I asked at the bird show this sat. and the best way to
    find out is to join one of those clubs, like the cockatiel
    society, or the exotic bird club. You have to become a
    member and pay 12.00-$15.00 to join and they tell you all
    the things you have to do, i believe you have to have 
    those cages built and there's not to many people that build
    them...
    
    /lisa
                     

I attended the show in Auburn the 16th just to see what went on at a show. I 
am having thoughts of showing my Grey Cheek.  It seemed to me there was an equal
mix of 'house cages' and 'show boxes'.  In most instances, if there was a tie,
the bird in the show box got the nod.  I does make a big difference in the 
presentation of the bird.  The show box has a solid white background that really
makes the bird's colors stand out.  The profile is more easily judged also.
Viewing a bird in a house cage with a cluttered background is definitely 
inferior to the show box.  

The box looks very easy to build, however, making the wire grate for the front 
is a problem.  I asked around and spoke with a gentleman from NFS (no-that does
not stand for network file system, it stands for the national finch society).
They have available for $3.00 or so, the plans, and the wire front.  From what
I was told, there are three (or more) standard sises.  Birds from parakeet size
down use the #1 box.  Cockateels, and medium size parrots use the #2 box. There 
is a #3 box for the larger birds.  Just drop them a line for more info.

    Hello,
    
    	After a long and hard search I've decided that an African Grey
    would be the best parrot for me.  One of the Macaws would have been
    wonderful, but I live in a two family home and I don't think my
    neighbors would appreciate the noise. 
    
    	Hopefully, I'll be getting the Grey from a local breeder in about
    a month if everything goes well.  It will be a hand fed baby. Can anyone
    tell me what to look for when I visit the breeder? Also, I'm writing in
    this note to get opinions on a good (size, cost, features) cage.  If you
    had to buy a new cage for an African Grey what would you want it to
    have?  What things should I look out for?  What to avoid?  This will be
    my first large bird and I don't want to make a mistake in buying a cage.
    If you can guess/estimate costs from buying the Grey, cage, playpen or
    anything I have forgoten to mention please list them. I have a good
    idea of the costs, but a sanity check wouldn't hurt.  What else should
    I prepare before the arrival?  Thank you. 
    
    Armando 

<    	After a long and hard search I've decided that an African Grey
<    would be the best parrot for me.  One of the Macaws would have been

   Good choice. Greys can be wonderful companions.
    
<    	Hopefully, I'll be getting the Grey from a local breeder in about
<    a month if everything goes well.  It will be a hand fed baby. Can anyone

   Out of curiosity, where is "local"?  Will you be finishing the hand feeding
or will you get the bird after it's fully weaned?

<    tell me what to look for when I visit the breeder? Also, I'm writing in

   Notice how well the breeder cares for his birds, not just the babies, but
other birds as well.  Check the baby for clear eyes, clear nostrils, clean vent,
and overall condition. Get a written statement from the breeder indicating he 
will allow you to take the bird to a vet for a health check and if anything
comes back wrong that he'll give back you money (usually within a few days.)
Then set up an appointment with a vet and DO IT. 

<    this note to get opinions on a good (size, cost, features) cage.  If you
<    had to buy a new cage for an African Grey what would you want it to
<    have?  What things should I look out for?  What to avoid?  This will be
<    my first large bird and I don't want to make a mistake in buying a cage.
<    If you can guess/estimate costs from buying the Grey, cage, playpen or
<    anything I have forgoten to mention please list them. I have a good

   The bird should (these are Ft. Myers, FL prices) run between $700 & $900 (
we'll have 2 for sale soon.) A new decent cage (at least 3' x 3' x 4') will be
between $300 and $500. Look for a large main door, at least 2 feeder doors, a
mechanism for preventing the bird from throwing the food and water dishes on
the cage floor. All doors should have a way for you lock it. Greys are good at
figuring out how to open doors. A simple snap (like on the end of a dog's
leash) is not a deterent for them. The cage should include a pullout tray for
cleaning the bottom of the cage. The cage should be on casters. There should be
at least 1 perch (1.5" in diameter or so) and perhaps a playpen/perch area on
top of the cage. A seed catcher is a nice touch but can be difficult to clean
unless you're quick (the food and veggies you'll feed, which the bird will
throw, dry hard.) Having wire at the top of the cage to hang toys is a nice
feature. If the cage has a cage-top perch, then a way to put a tray under that
perch is nice as it will keep the mess off the bars.

   A separate playpen, tree or standalone perch will run around $100 or so.
If you intend for the bird to spend a great deal of time out of the cage (we
usually leave the cage door open when we are home) then the cage size can be 
smaller, but still should be at least 2.5' square.

   The bird will need to have something to chew, to obliterate, to destroy. It's
a bird, that's its job;-);-).  Softwood perches are a good candidate. So are
bird toys, but the toys can be expensive. We use white pine or fir 2x2's as
either a replaceable perch or as a hanging toy. It's purpose is to give the
bird something inexpensive to chew.


Good luck and enjoy your new companion

Al

Al,

	There are two locals to me.  One local to work (Hudson, MA) and the
other local to home (Roslindale, MA).  I have spoken to the breeder in Hudson and
I'll be seeing her birds this Thursday or Friday.  The other breeder I don't
have a phone number to yet.  I'll decide which breeder to buy from when I
see the birds and discuss the price.  
	
	I would like to finish hand feeding. My preference would be to hand
feed from the beginning to weaning.  However, the four evenly spaced feedings
per day would get in the way of work.  :-( Or is it work that gets in the
way :-).

	Do you ever ship your birds to MA?  How is that done and what are the
costs?  Are they Congo Greys or Timnehs?

	A cage that I saw that fits your description of a good cage and
price is  23"W x 18"D x 24"H in size costs almost $600 with a playpen on top.
Is this too small?  The next size up is 32"W x 23" D x 32"H @ ~ $800. I hope
to keep him/her on the playpen when I'm home.  The majority of the day he/she
will be in the cage because I'll be at work. Is the difference in cage size
worth the additional cost?  Does it really make a difference for him/her?
These cages are made by AE.  Should I keep looking?  Thank you.

	Armando

<	There are two locals to me.  One local to work (Hudson, MA) and the
<other local to home (Roslindale, MA).  

   Whereas there probably aren't too many breeders in Ma. AND Greys are more
expensive in NE than in FLA, I'd expect you'll pay a bit more for the bird.
	
<  I would like to finish hand feeding. My preference would be to hand
<feed from the beginning to weaning.  

   Unless you've handfed before (perhaps on smaller birds) you're probably
better off getting them at the 3/day or even 2/day feedings as the bird is
strong and already knows what to expect (i.e. more forgiving of your clumsiness
when you first start.) The idea of the hand feeding is one of bonding and you
should get if you skip the 4/day feedings.

<	Do you ever ship your birds to MA?  How is that done and what are the
<costs?  Are they Congo Greys or Timnehs?

   Yes we have shipped up north. The birds are put on Delta-DASH in Ft. Myers
and you pick them up in Boston or Worcester. The shipping cost is around $100
(whatever the airline charges us.) We have mostly Congo's, a variety of 
Cockatoos and various Amazons.

<	A cage that I saw that fits your description of a good cage and
<price is  23"W x 18"D x 24"H in size costs almost $600 with a playpen on top.
<Is this too small?  The next size up is 32"W x 23" D x 32"H @ ~ $800.

    I think you're pushing it with the smaller cage if the bird is to spend
a significant part of the time locked up. I'm sure other's will disagree. AE
makes a great cage, but they are one of the most expensive ones when you
compare features.  Bird Depot also makes good cages, but at a more reasonable
price. If you want more details regarding cages or the birds themselves, let's
take it off line.

Al

    Hi,
    
    	Can anyone give me opinions on transports?  A way of getting an
    African Grey around.  Also, opinions on bird motels.  I see them
    advertised in BT, but before I buy, I would like to know what you think
    of them, what brand do you like, what you don't like etc,..  Thank you.
    
    	Armando