|
|
Post by bickitrainer on Jan 27, 2008 13:12:09 GMT 10
|
|
|
|
Post by vankarhi on Jan 27, 2008 19:09:34 GMT 10
Do you know how much they cost here in Australia?? Between $4000 and $6000 for a handraised baby. Mary owns one he is only about 6 months old. I know how much he cost........but I will let Mary (Abby) tell you about him.
|
|
|
|
Post by bickitrainer on Jan 27, 2008 23:32:11 GMT 10
Yeah I'm aware of that really high price!!  But I really want one!  |
|
|
|
Post by abby-oldaccount on Jan 28, 2008 6:33:38 GMT 10
You know I'm normally really cautious with people getting greys as they really are a complex bird but I think you'll do ok after seeing how well you've done with Bicki. I got Arthur from a guy in the Riverland and was thrilled to pieces. He has teenage daughters who help with handraising and socialising too. I think he's just put his price up to $5000 and he does freight. I'll pm you his details, not sure if he's got any bubs atm or not. Graham is quite happy to send photos of the babys progress but will not sell unweaned babes under any circumstances. Please feel free to ask any questions, more then haappy to talk about my boy and his breed. |
|
|
|
Post by sebzpets on Jan 28, 2008 7:07:07 GMT 10
Yeah I'm aware of that really high price!! But I really want one! Sorry I am going to jump into the fray just a little here BUT and I stress BUT I don't want to start world war 3 either. I am a little concerned about you attempting to buy a Grey at this point in time. As you have said Bicki is your first bird and you only obtained him in November last year..only say 2.5months ago. I commend you on the things you are teaching Bicki and the obvious love you have for him BUT an African Grey IS a much bigger bird (also an exotic) and as Abby has said in her post "a complex bird". So whilst I can certaibnly understand you wanting one I would be extremely hesitant in even thinking of buying one in the next few years.....certainly hold onto the dream of one day owning one though. The considerations you really need to look at are,doing your high school certificate,than HSC and than perhaps Uni....that is a minimum 5 yrs and a lot of time for a bird as complex as a Grey to spend on its own whist you study etc etc etc. I am ceratinly not saying you can't handle owning one but personally (and only my opinion) I would like to see you perhaps own a few different birds along the way to getting a Grey and thus gaining extremely valuable experience along the way that will ultimately give both you and your Grey the best possible outcome in the longterm. Yes I know impatience extremely well and there are many birds I would like myself YET due to all other considerations I place on myself and my lifestyle these birds remain out of my reach.............for more their sake rather than mine. I certainly wish I had the sort of "after school" job you must have so I could afford to spend roughly $6000 on 1 bird though LOL..........but I'd just spend that sort of money on a huge incubator and a pile more chooks anyway,ohhhhh and amazing pens LMAO |
|
|
|
Post by abby-oldaccount on Jan 28, 2008 7:47:07 GMT 10
I've pm'd Bicki's mum with advice on 2 great books. I gotta agree with you mostly Seb and I'm back tracking a little. I'm assuming that you aren't talking about getting a grey like next weekend. I spent 20 years wanting my guy during which time I finished Uni, got married had children blah blah. I do wonder if I could have given a grey the attention it needed during those times if I'd got one when I was 16yo. I'm certainly not saying don't do this. I think you've done very well with Bicki, but just imagine spending a month trying to introduce a new toy to a bird. I'm not kidding. Arthur still has grey hysterics at his rainstick toy if it's within 6 inches of his cage. They are extremely clever birds but the vast majority will not perform on cue. If anything they take great delight in making you look like a complete moron for saying how clever your bird is.  Now if you're talking about getting a grey right now, like next weekend I'd be saying umm, please think about this alot more. You have done well with Bicki with training etc. I think you'd do well as a grey owner, just wait a bit, not necessarily 20years. Do a whole lot of reading and really ask yourself why you want this bird. Be honest. I'm certainly not saying that you're doing this but please keep in mind they are high profile birds and many people do get them as status symbols only to be disappointed that they aren't all like Alex or Einstein. I also need to point out that you can add another $1000+ into your budget to get the correct size and type of cage, perches, toys etc etc. |
|
|
|
Post by grego on Jan 28, 2008 10:07:30 GMT 10
Have to agree with Seb and Mary  Like l can see you have done a wonderful job with Bicki ,it's a big jump in class to a African Grey...Great birds thou  l personnally am happy just for people to have one best friend(bird) when it comes to birds and the behaviour, for they are time consuming also as you would know with Bicki Good luck in your decision and keep us updated with Bicki |
|
|
|
Post by vankarhi on Jan 28, 2008 11:57:44 GMT 10
An african grey can be a lot of work.........like all birds.........but these birds like eclectus (which I do own one) are prone to feather plucking, stress, and other problems. They are wonderful pets and extremely intelligent........my ekkie girl can talk in context and when she talks she sounds like a human.......when she rings like the phone she sounds like the phone and she does a few different tones too depending on if it is a mobile or a land line phone. Even with all the best intentions my ekkie girl has started to pluck.......with her it is partly due to hormones and partly due to a shocking moult..........but I am trying everything now to try to stop this plucking.........so far so good as I have seen no new feathers for about 1 week.
We are not telling you not to get a grey........just make sure you really do know what you are getting yourself into............I mean really really know.
I only paid $800 for my girl which is far different to $5000 for a grey but it is a lot of money to pay for a pretty ornament if things go wrong.
|
|
|
|
Post by bickitrainer on Jan 28, 2008 16:59:55 GMT 10
Thanks for all of your advice, suggestions and support everyone, I really appreciate it.
I'm going to take your advice very seriously, I'm not going to get a grey soon. I've researched on them, asked questions and it really does seem like hard work, Bicki is already very attention demanding let alone a grey. Still, even though they are on the top of my most wanted pets list, you are all right, seeing Bicki is my first ever parrot, I just haven't got the experience. And starting my final years of high school very soon I wont have the time. They are my favourite animal and I really really want one but its just better to wait. I wouldn't have thought of this decision if all of you hadn't advise me and I'm thankful for it.
Besides, I don't even have the bloody money!
|
|
|
|
Post by abby-oldaccount on Jan 28, 2008 17:42:26 GMT 10
It will happen when the time is right.The money will be there and you'll be in the right stage of your life whenever that may be. I really think getting my guy earlier in my life would have been a bad decision plus I didn't have the money. Now I'm a stay home mum to school age kids even with my handraising I have the time to devote to a bird such as a grey. There's no way I will have any more children (if you lived my 3 boys you'd understand :  so another human baby won't take up my time and energy either. I'm not saying that you need to be a home body to own a grey, just have the time and patience. Kudos to you for being so sensible about this. |
|
|
|
Post by zooyouthben on Jan 28, 2008 17:46:38 GMT 10
i spent all of year 12 with possums down my shirt and a roo joey on my back lol, But i am exceptional!
|
|
|
|
Post by xoxoEbzxoxo on Jan 28, 2008 18:00:35 GMT 10
When I was in primary school, my teachers used to let me bring my birds and my pet rats I used to have to school, by doing that they learn't to socilise with other people.
|
|
Karen
Addicted Member
Posts: 97
|
Post by Karen on Jan 28, 2008 20:56:25 GMT 10
I am glad you have made a very mature decision is waiting. You will know when you are ready. One of these days (hopefully in this lifetime) I am going to get myself a Caique. |
|
|
|
Post by clara on Jan 30, 2008 6:00:26 GMT 10
All is said and i agree helas. They are very cute, adorable but to sensible, to esclusive ...to complex..
Amicalement
|
|
|
|
Post by abby-oldaccount on Jan 30, 2008 7:25:16 GMT 10
One of these days (hopefully in this lifetime) I am going to get myself a Caique. hey Karen maybe you can buy one from me. Hoping to have a pair in the next 5 years. Come on birdies get breeding, mummy wants a pair of caiques. ;D |
|
|
|
Post by vankarhi on Jan 30, 2008 15:33:04 GMT 10
Geesh Mary talk about putting pressure on the birds before they are even ready............not even hatched yet. Their grandparents are probebly not even hatched yet. ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by abby-oldaccount on Jan 30, 2008 16:51:33 GMT 10
LOL. Nah parents are there and gorgeous. Beautiful looking birds. I think Karen would be waiting for a couple of years even after I get my young pair for them to be ready to lay if and when. Gotta remember the saying never count your chicks until they're hatched or until they're weaned and in the new owners possession.
|
|
|
|
Post by vankarhi on Jan 30, 2008 17:02:11 GMT 10
yeah ;D
|
|
so another human baby won't take up my time and energy either. I'm not saying that you need to be a home body to own a grey, just have the time and patience. Kudos to you for being so sensible about this. 
