Conference 7.286::pet_birds

Good day Cheryl,

I have a Grand named Murphy.  I purchased him directly from a breeder
when he was weaned (at about 4 months).   8 months is NOT at all too
old for this baby to bond with you but what you will probably find is
that your bird will remain receiptive to all humans unlike Greys and
some Cockatoo's who CAN bond to just one person.  This really is a 
nice aspect of this breed and why I feel no age is really too old! They
tend to be fairly mellow and adapt quickly to new situations.  Please
realize that every bird is different however.  I'm speaking generally.  

1100.00 is not at all unreasonable depending on where your at in the 
country for a hand-fed Grand.  The prices are however starting to
drop a bit because many more people are breeding this species due to
popular demand and the fact that they do seem to be fairly easy
breeders.

The Yellow Vented (Vosmaeri) are supposed to be the largest of the
Eclectus but I've seen some pretty big Grands.  The differences are
mainly color.  Vosmaeri's have yellow feathers around the vent and
tail areas.  The grands do have some yellow around the tips of the
tail feathers whereas the Vosmaeri yellow goes half way if not further
up the tail feather.  Some say the beaks of the Male Vosmaeri's are
much brighter orange than any of the other subspecies.  Personality
wise, I've not ever seen much difference at all.  The famale Vosmaeris
aren't as pretty as the Grands I think.  They don't have that rich
lavender color across their bellies like the Grands do.

Well personally if you are ready to take on the responsibility of a
wonderful pet such as this for life, then I for one say GO FOR IT. 
I certainly (as I've recommended before) would see the bird several
more times (possibly different times of the day as well) before you
make the final decision however.  

This bird sounds very sociable which is wonderful!

Let me know how it turns out and if I can be of any help! 

Karen from Colorado

            <<< Note 387.1 by HUMMER::WORKMAN ", Karen  592-4990" >>>
                        -< NOT TO OLD TO BOND TO YOU! >-
Thanks Karen!!

I've been seeing this bird at least once a day for the past 5 days.. so the 
store knows I want him.... I'm supposed to pick him up tonite...  They are
lending me the cage he is in until I can order and receive one..

I'm thinking of ordering the Prevue cage #128 which is 37x25x55...
it has the play area on top and wheels to move it if need be, but I'm not at
all sure of the convience of changing the paper and cleaning...

I also have a friend giving me his wrought iron cage which is quite a bit
smaller... but he says it needs painting and it would not be ready for two
weeks.

Any recommendations?  For $330.00, I should be able to shop a bit.  Just
noone has any stock to look at!!


A soon to be bird owner

Cheryl

Hi Cheryl!

BTW:  Is this a male or female?

Regarding Cages:  I would HIGHLY suggest CAGECO cages.  They advertise
in Bird Talk.  You can usually get pretty quick delivery and can get
an excellent size cage for Sydney for alot less than what you would
pay for others.  I have two of my Parrots (Eclectus and Grey) in two
of their cages.  They are located in Southern California.  Their cages
come in many different colors - mine are beige and all have open roof
playpens and swing out feeder doors.  They come dissasembled but are
very easy to put together and are very tuff.  A breeder friend of 
mine that I ordered one for dropped it out of a moving van and it just
barely bent the decorative corner top and thats it.  I like them 
because they are built very safe.  My birds have been in them for
over two years and have never gotten hurt.  The paint is almost 
impossible to scrape off which is excellent.  They all have trays with
grates at the bottom which I have found very easy for cleaning.  The
one I ordered is never pictured in Bird Talk and is much nicer than
the ones you see them advertise.  It is about 24x36x48 approx with a
built on stand underneath which makes the cage about 5 to 5.5 feet
high total and is on wheels.  My birds have lots of room in them and
love it when I open the top to let them come out to play!  I think
I paid around 259.00 for it.

CAGECO's number is 213-802-0544.  I believe they will send you a 
catalog if you wish.  Also all their prices include the shipping!

Congradulations!!  Make sure you take it easy on him for a while.
People always want to bring their new babies home and kill them
with attention when what they really need to do is leave them
alone for a bit to adjust to you, the surroundings etc.  Also give
him as much attention as you plan to give him forever.  If you
spend three hours a day with him at first then start cutting back,
your bird will certainly let you know he is upset.  I've seen alot
people create monsters doing this.

Sounds like a nice store that will loan you a cage and all!  Let
me know how he/she transitions!!!

Karen

Ps.  Remember they need toys too!

Thanks for the number, I've seen the advertisement in USA Birds....
I hope that the store deals with this manufacturer... I believe they'll
loan me the cage ONLY if I order a cage from them... (makes since)... but
they will let me leave Sydney there if I need to wait on a cage...

Sydney is a male... with neon green feathers with light-to-royal blue coming 
over the top of his shoulders just slightly, changing to deep neon blue on the 
edges and tail feathers, with bright red on the undersides... he is just 
beginning his second molt, I believe... A few of the employees call him
Neon but I'm not too fond of that, and he doesn't seem to respond one way or
another to it, although it does describe him well...

The store, in their wisdom and my detriment, gave me a $1500.00 revolving
charge... I've just got to restrain from over-endulging... although how
much trouble can I get into buying toys?  I'm going to follow "Bird 
Owner's Home Health and Care Handbook" as far as safety....

I'll let you know...  I will have to be real careful in dividing my attention
between my dog Pebbles, a 10 year old West Highland White Terrier and Sydney.
I think that will be a major challenge... she's been the highlight of my life
for a very long time... I'll probably play with Sydney when she's outside at
first... in time I'll offically introduce the two....

Thanks again...

Cheryl 

    I second the remark about CageCo cages.  I have my Blue and Gold
    in a one similar to what Karen describes, but the top doesn't open
    up.  I think I paid about 240 including shipping for it.  Plan on
    her spending a lot of time outside of it.  (at least in my case
    it is a necessity (actually, mine is 48high, 36wide, 24 deep, on
    casters).  The paint is virtually indestructible, which I am
    inordinately pleased about, since she goes for anything and everything
    to chew on.
    
    Ed
    

Thanks Karen and Ed for the suggestions...

I did buy Sydney, and he seems to be adjusting quite well...

My dog isn't exactly thrilled but she has calmed down 100%, and I'm just
waiting for my cage to come in... I decided to go with the Prevue due to 
the financing option through the store... it has some pluses over CAGECO,
and some minuses.  I hope I'll be happy with it.

Sydney wasn't talking much, so last night I put on some music... and what a 
change... Sydney LOVES reggae..  He chattered up a storm... some understandable
most not...

Well thanks again... I plan to spend quite some time looking through this
notes file later on after hours...

Cheryl