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Re: Up and Down
Posted by GreyLady on 11/19/09

You are very welcome. Thank you for giving him/her a great
home. No, I have never used a thermal perch. But, I live in S/W
Florida so not much need. I do think they could be a good thing
though if the bird does not live normally in the same temperature
that is comfortable to you. During winter months, humidity is
the thing you will most have to watch. Furnaces make for very
dry air so lots of opportunity to bathe and keep humidity up is
best for a bird.
As for the lighting, I don't know there are any cut and dried
rules for timing. I rotate mine around so that my flock, (4
different cages), get 2 or 3 days a week of "sunshine". Mine is
a floor lamp style. I place it about 2 feet from the cage. But
I also make sure there it is placed so they can get out of the
light if they choose. I leave it on one cage, pretty much all of
the current daylight hours. When you work on the step up, it
will be good to continue using the same command the bird is used
to. I think most folks say "step up" but with my Grey, I usually
say "let's go" or "do you want some help". I try to let mine
make all of his own decisions that can safely be allowed,
hence, the two different phrases. When I say "let's go", he
knows he must comply. When I ask if he wants help, he knows it's
his choice. That's another thing I didn't mention. When dealing
with this kind of IQ, they do need to be allowed to make a lot of
their own decisions. But they must also always know who is flock
leader and that must always be you. The more of their own
decisions they can make, the better adjusted and happier they
will be. They will also rarely refuse an "order" so long as they
get to choose at other times. It's a tricky balance but one you
can achieve over time. It will be even more important when he
starts to sexually mature. You will probably find that at least
during his first real surge of hormones, he may get a bit testy
and irritable and will "try you" on occasion. Again, just ignore
any undesirable behavior and be lavish in praise the rest of the
time. It will pass. Feel free to email me if you like. GL

Posts on this thread, including this one

• Up and Down, 11/18/09, by Wanting to do right by George.
• Re: Up and Down, 11/19/09, by GreyLady.
• Re: Up and Down, 11/19/09, by Wanting to do right by George.
• Re: Up and Down, 11/19/09, by GreyLady.
• Re: Up and Down, 11/19/09, by Wanting to do right by George.
• Re: Up and Down, 11/20/09, by GreyLady.
• Re: Up and Down, 11/23/09, by Wanting to do right by George.