Should I get a TAG?

[Riyam Alenezi]

@Gypsy well our country discovered oil so compared to USA I suppose you could say its a rich country, there isn't really a cultural way of keeping pets, we all go about our own business differently. In USA you probably have this universal way of treating pets like your own children which is amazing! Mainly because everyone there is VERY educated on the best way to raise pets, perhaps you learn this at school, or on TV or in the pet stores you have the same routine of how to care for pets.

But here traditionally we focus less on leisure and concentrate more on work, family, job etc. Kind of like the Asian culture in which people aim to be very succesful. So pets come towards the end, people here aren't as educated on that, but that doesn't have to mean we cant raise them properly. Generally what makes it easier for us is we have maids and service men and money isn't an issue (no tax here!) Its a whole different way of life, but people who do know English get their good source of education from the net, others who don't get information from the pet store for example! Bare in mind we have many many immigrants that come from LEDC countries just to make $$$. So they sell pets w/ ignorance. I cant really put a link to show you my local pet store from youtube because I blocked Ytube off my pc to spend more time on AG research but you can search ''Friday market pet store kuwait'' Its the first 2 videos, and also the 7th and 8th.

 

[Lady Jane]

As far as other greys sounding like Rosie I really do not know. Will have to get opinion of other grey owners for that. @Greycloud

 

[Hankmacaw]

LOL - no I have met some of our - the USA - American military members who spent time in Kuwait while staging for the war in Iraq. Two of my Grandsons are in the military, so I meet lots of our guys and gals in the military.

If you have large hardware stores like the Lowes and Home Depot in America, they will carry a large selection of misters.

So glad your family is on board with your getting a AG - they are a wonderful companion and I'm sure everyone will love Him/Her.

Macaws aren't any different than most other parrots, just larger and louder decibels when they hollar.

 

[Riyam Alenezi]

@Hankmacaw Ohh that's why, haha today I saw a bunch of tanks everywhere because the pres of Egypt flew over for a visit. Things are more protective now.
Tell the militants thanks for saving my country.
And I first showed my dad a bunch of videos and photos of AG's before asking him.
@Lady Jane thanks for that! Ill ask the person, and also how consistently loud is your Grey? Like is it just at mornings and evenings orrr...?

 

[Hankmacaw]

They were glad to kick Saddam out - you are good friends of the USA.

I saw this on the internet: Kuwait Birds for Sale Free Classifieds Birds for Sale Post Classified Advertising Kuwait

 

[Nikomania]

I'd also recommend checking into whether or not there are any avian vets in your area. There are so many posters from other countries who have lost their birds simply because they couldn't find a vet who specialized in parrots. Just another piece of your research to consider.

 

[Hankmacaw]

Don't forget us Riyam. Keep us updated on your search.

 

[Gypsy]

When looking at birds, baby or adult, let it choose you. They pretty much look the same anyways. If your choices show any interest in you by coming closer or showing interest in your conversation, go with that one. That will start your bonding process. We did that with a bird for my daughter. Best friendship ever.

 

[Riyam Alenezi]

@Hankmacaw thank you for the link I read your responses, sorry I couldn't reply, had school. Definetly will update as often as I can.
@Nikomania oh wow that's so true, my friend told me she kept an AG but it died of illness.
@Gypsy I will take that into account certainly! That's actually a really good piece of advice I think I will try that- let the bird choose me.

 

[Riyam Alenezi]

I have a question I don't want my AG being a 1 person bird because he might choose someone else over me, so my schedule is to have not just me but also 5 other people to verbally interact with him weekly, is this okay? Or does he need more people + new people as well as physical interaction. Oh and also on the weekends usually if I have time I go over to my families farm so I could bring him over to play with many people and explore new things... Is this fine? Any ideas? Advice? Anything I should add?

Why do AG's become one person birds in the first place, is it because of trust and interest?

 

[Hankmacaw]

All parrots (almost) are one person birds and chose their favorite person. It is definitely not an exclusive AG characteristic.

 

[QBird]

Hi, I have kept birds in the UAE and Qatar and I have also spent a few years in Ahmadi (Kuwait).
You seem like a very responsible person for someone under college age. Whilst no one can really predict what the future holds and we would all love to be able to provide for our birds making the best plans we can for them there are several factors you may wish to consider. (I'm not going into the TAG or other type of parrot debate as you are probably in the best position to decide what is the best breed for you).
Firstly please do make sure that the rest of your family do not mind living with a parrot otherwise it could be the start of something much more challenging in your home life - read above pleased your father is backing this
Second with regards to bird keeping in the middle east and this is mostly my own humble opinion;
1. You will not be able to keep it outside full time unless it has a fully constructed aviary with air conditioning for the summer and heating for the winter (that the parrot cannot get to as it will dismantle things). The desert nights can see a low temperature in the winter as a matter of fact I am currently feeling the cold here (Qatar) in the evenings too. In the summer the temperatures can get to 50 degrees Celsius and sometimes more with humidity again this must be considered. I was not so worried about the small air particle pollution in the UAE but in Qatar it is very troublesome for people so I do have reservations about keeping a bird in and outside aviary for a real length of time, that being said my bird cages do go outside for sunshine about once a week when the weather permits. You will probably need to ensure the bird is safe from rodents and other vermin as these are still common in the middle east.
2. Buying a bird, give me a message if you need contacts as some of the parrot breeders/owners here are often dealing with Emirati, Saudi and Kuwaiti importers so may be able to find a healtheir bird for you (although it will cost a bit more then a souq) that being said PetZone may have a good reputation. PBFD is unfortunately extremely common in the middle east given the standard of parrots imported and lack of care or consideration with quarantining new birds.
3. It would probably pay off to have a vet run a full check on the bird including bloods, disease and bacteria, this will help ensure he or she is well when he comes to you (UAE cost about AED 1,250 average and QAR 1,500 - this varies slightly from vet to vet and depends on which labs they send to, usually Europe or South Africa).
Thirdly, all brids can be loud and will be loud at times, but I would advocate harness training for safety and encourage parrots to be introduced to many different people and places it helps keep them entertained and confident, just don't push things faster then the bird seems comfortable with.

 

[QBird]

one more thing, in the middle east I have found good vets come and go from the countries, if you are able to use one of the expat forums you will probably find a parrot owner who can tell you which vet is the most reliable for birds, in addition if there is no avian vet you could ask the vets directly, I did this and have now been advised one of our vets is trying to locate and employ and avian specialist

 

[QBird]

One more thought,

You would do well to look for a ring and retain the receipt or even better if imported get a copy of the import permit, it will make for easier export should you decide to move abroad at a later date

 

[Piggy'smom]

Lady Jane, I am in LOOOOOVE with Rosie! What a lovely little girl!

 

[Lady Jane]

Thank you Piggy'smom that is nice of you to say. She is a lovely, well behaved grey for sure.

 

[Riyam Alenezi]

News.
I got my little grey 2 days ago, from a really good pet shop, we ended up getting a congo though which is funny! He is 4 months old almost finished with formula, eats handfuls of solid food and YES I did say formula, I was completely nervous on getting a baby grey on formula so I told the keeper I didn't want one on formula since its too tricky and he was like noooo you just need to follow the instructions and I was like but what if its too hot/too cold/ too thick/thin what if he gets crop burn? What if I have to feed him every 4 hours or so? I sure as hell didn't want him to be on formula because I have had little experience.

Turns out this formula is a piece of cake. Just mix boiling water with the formula powder, mix thoroughly for 2 minutes wait for it to settle a moment and then serve He gets it in the mornings, afternoons and before bed not more nor less. If anything I contact the keeper ASAP for guidance or help or anything at all. My dad helps, gives him a feed in the mornings. I asked the keeper a trillion questions and especially about the formula. I don't know what type you guys use but ours is safe and easy. We feed him by the syringe type of feeder instead of the spoon method.

He was a nipper and a growler when I got him home but the next day with some time, and training he settled. We have spent a LOT of time with him. We keep him indoors in the living room with the TV open every day. We have fallen in love with him already. I'm extremely cautious about everything but so far so good, he seems x50 more relaxed then when we first got him home, now I can pick him up with my hands on his body and he wouldn't mind
Any advice though since he is still young and what to expect from him when he gets older?

Oh and he is definitely not going outside until he at least gets his iris in because he needs to be kept warm at the moment as he is still a baby.
We now plan to keep him with us every day in the living room, his cage is at eye level too. He gets out to play very often and there's a stand on top of his cage.

But my research hasn't stopped Still asking some pro's I got in contact with and looking for more improvements and adventures.

 

[sunnysmom]

Congrats on your new bird! (We love pictures!)

 

[Hankmacaw]

That is so heart warming to hear that your Dad is feeding him once a day. He will fall in love with your new baby.

Get a thermometer so you can make sure that formula isn't too hot/cold.

Does the baby have a name yet and where are the pictures of him?

 

[Nikomania]

Not sure what kind of formula you have, but the ones we have here only need very warm water from the tap to mix and thicken. Perhaps using a thermometer would be a great way to go to make certain that boiling water has sufficiently cooled down before feeding your new baby.

We're all waiting for pictures, so please post some for us soon! And congratulations on your new little grey!