Hello,
Its Freddie's Mum Jude writing today to let you know we are going to go and have a look at a 5 week old cag this afternoon. We are very excited and cant wait to see our parrot to be.
I dont know if the breeder sexes his birds but we dont really mind what sex it is anyway so I am assuming if they are not sexed they may be a little less expensive than the £675 that I have seen dna tested ones offered for.
We have not bought a cage yet as Fred is quite concerned that most of them are too tall. Once the bird is on the stand on the top it would be above Fred's eye level and we have read that this is not advisable as it could lead to the bird becoming to dominent if it looks down on the human members of its family. Would you agree? Most of the cages I have seen put the bird at the eye level of an average man. What about more petite owners? Can we get a shorter cage?
Also do owners move thier cages outside in the nice weather? I woulod like to do this especially when I am working outside but have heard moving the cage is a bad idea. Does this mean I need to think about buying two cages. One to be permanently 'in situ' and one for special occasions outside and maybe in my workshop when I am working.
Thanks for any help on these matters,
Jude

Hi Jude

Congratulations on your new addition!

As it relates to cages .. I personally believe bigger is better. CAGs love to climb so going to the top will be almost unavoidable regardless of the height. Although I have read the same that you have, I have never experienced issues with my CAG being higher then eye level then I am. His gyms, trees and playtop on his cage are all higher then high level and I have never had a problem with him.

Yes our CAG does go outside with us when it is nice out. His cage is too large to roll outside so he does have a smaller deck cage just to hang out in.

Best of Luck with your new addition .. I'm sure you must be excited!

Hi Jude,

I've just been replying to one of your/your hubby's posts in another thread. I didn't realise that you are on this (the right) side of the pond!

Unless you're going to breed, IMHO, DNA sexing just isn't necessary. £675 is about the right price ofr a British-bred Grey youngster. If someone offered to sell you a new Porsche for £1000, wouldn't you be suspicious!? Don't go for a "cheapie".

I don't know if you've given any thought to a cage yet – or indeed if you need one – but Northern Parrots has a few special offers on. I am with "She who must be obeyed" (Dee, the Administratrix of AnAfricanGrey ) moving a cage around is not a problem. I would advise, though, that you get a solid-top stand – not an opening top. One of our members of AnAG tragically lost her beloved youngster when it forced its head up through the opening top of the cage and then got its head stuck there. She came home to find the poor little mite hanging dead in its cage.

But, of course, if you're getting a youngster, you need only spend a little time to get him or her used to wearing a harness!



Ndhlovu wearing her Aviator harness, out and about at Miller's Dale in the Peak District

There's lots more information on harness training on AnAfricanGrey. That way, you can take your Grey friiend with you wherever you go, just as we do.

Of course you need a cage, but your Grey should only really be in his or her cage at night or when you are not at home. The rest of the time, he or she should be on a playstand!

Thankyou Captain Quark..Yes we are indeed in Norfolk. Freddiebirdie is not my hubby though...he is my 15yr old son.
Thanks for the advice:-) We are looking into cages now and will have a look on the site you mention.
We are also planning to get a harness.