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Hi gang. On Saturday I will be moving into a new apartment. It is actually in the same building I am in now, except it will be on the first floor (I am currently on the 2nd floor - no elevator - 14 steps ). This will make life a lot easier for me, as I am disabled and have difficulty carrying things (like groceries and laundry) up and down the steps. Anyway, the maintenance people are spending most of this week fixing up the apartment I am going to move into. They always clean and repaint before someone new takes occupancy. I am worried about the repainting, though. Will the smell of fresh paint - the paint fumes - harm my bird?

I would indeed be concerned about that, can you leave Boh Boh with someone for a few days perhaps?
If it is just water based paints it won't be so bad but it's the oil based ones that are a concern!

Sandy, could you talk with the person in charge of the painting about the danger of fumes? If so, ask if you can pay any difference in cost for the use of no-vol, water-based paint. This means using no oil-based primer or trim, so you may need to negotiate over the cost to repair damage attributed to lack of primer.

The only problem I've had in my 15 years of living in this house with birds is in one bathroom, where the water-based paint didn't want to "stick" in one small but highly visible spot. It's only about 6x9 inches, but the paint just sort of forms dilute little circles, where I presume the oil-based paint underneath (from prior paintings) kept it from going on smoothly. I put several coats on, but still have little circles. That's the only such place in the house, so my guess re cause might be completely wrong. Perhaps more knowledgeable others will chime in here soon.

Since apt managers probably buy paint cheaply, switching to no-vol paint might be more costly than boarding your bird for a few days, until you no longer smell the paint fumes when re-entering your apt. Once the fumes have dissipated, there is no danger to your boy.

I hope it works out well for you and you enjoy the new place!

I agree with everyone about boarding you bird for a few days. Also after the place is painted open the windows up to air the place out.
Three years ago,I had painted my "bird room". I used la ow VOC (paint "Al Gore" paint that is environmentally friendly). It is called Harmony but it is very expensive. It is $40.00 a gallon compaired to $12.00 a gallon.it is also thin and runny so you have to do 2 coats. There are more low VOC paints out now that you might consider. I had moved the birds in another room and opened the windows periodically to keep the air fresh.

If you do board Boh Boh or have a friend keep him for you, take advantage of his vacation and run the self-cleaner on your oven! If my home were bird-free for a few days, I'd burn candles and incense, use original Windex (not the vinegar formula) to clean my windows, and spray oil onto squeaky door hinges Don't I know how to have fun??!?!!