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From: bamford@cbnewsd.att.com (harold.e.bamford)
Newsgroups: rec.birds,rec.pets
Subject: Re: PARROT ADVICE NEEDED!
Summary: Keep The Bustard!
Message-ID: <1991Jun18.214215.1944@cbnewsd.att.com>
Date: 18 Jun 91 21:42:15 GMT
References: <1991Jun18.063720.26518@clipper.ingr.com>
Distribution: na
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 31

In article <1991Jun18.063720.26518@clipper.ingr.com> dole@clipper.ingr.com (Harry Dole) writes:

< description of African Grey Congo deleted >

>QUESTIONS:

>5) Can a Gray eat TOO MUCH apples, kiwi, strawberries, corn, etc.,
>in proportion to seed?  The Bustard is frisky and gives every other
>sign of good health, but his breastbone is too sharp. (A thorough
>veterinay exam and 45-day quarantine would be mandatory for both 
>birds, which further limits my funds and my ability to give enough
>attention and socialization to either bird during their respective
>crucial periods).

Given that NO seeds is the correct amount (IMHO), then the answer
to the question is "no."  I recommend pellets as a supplement to
fruit, corn, etc, rather than seed.  Conversion is touchy (harder
on the owner than the bird, however) but once converted, birds
often prefer pellets to seeds.  I will not cover all the
exceptions.  As for The Bustard's breastbone being "too" sharp, be
aware that Greys often have sharp breastbones.  If he is eating
well, behaves normally, has been examined/blessed by an AVIAN vet,
then there is no problem.

>7) WHAT SHOULD I DO? 
>
>Any advice will be most appreciated - although I expect all you
>Gray fans to tell me to keep the Bustard and forget about my Eclectus!. 

Keep The Bustard!  Being passed from owner to owner isn't easy on a
bird...