My CAG Coco is on the way to South Ozone Park,NY

My CAG Coco is on the way,need advice with quarantine and introduction

Hello everyone,first of all I would like to thank you all for the great detailed information I've been gathering over the past couple of weeks. What a great forum ! Everyone deserve a standing applause
About myself, I'm 33,living in South Ozone Park with my parents and brother,he's 26. Yes still single,but I have my B&G Elvis, who's turning three this weekend, whom I've had since he was 3 months old. I have a thread of him,since he was a baby. He is housed in a large Kings Cage,in the basement where I live and has daily interaction with my family,and of course myself.

So I always wanted an African Grey,not because of the talking and etc.
I just know that they are just a wonderful companion. I did lots of research on the forums regarding them , youtube videos etc.
I found one pretty local to me, about 10-12 years old, a girl name Coco, I'm not crazy about the name,but I'm sure it will grow on me.
I am picking her up this weekend, and I'm super excited. I'm planning to house her in the same cage that I'm getting her in. She will be in the basement with me and Elvis,but most likely in the other end of the room for quarantine purposes. I am aware of the dust and dander they produce,so I'll keep her moist and get a good air filter.
A little bit about her, the owner is not too sure of the age, maybe between 10-12 years old. She came from an abusive owner and is doing very well now,for numerous years.
She only deals with the male owner, and not anyone else. Never been to the vet as well,so I need to find a good vet in NY, any ideas would be great.
So as for advice, I'll take anything you all can give me.
I'm wondering how can I make the transition smooth,from the previous owner to me, I'm hoping she doesnt get stressed.
Anything else I should do ?

Thanks in advance

Good luck with her! If you don't like her name, change it to something similar sounding. Like Toto, or Hobo, or Jojo. I've done that with re-homed birds, with good success.

If she's going to be in the same room as your macaw, that's not quarantine...

Nevertheless, I wish you the best of luck in introducing her into your home!

Thanks Bill, I'll shall see. Maybe I'll stick with Coco,that's been her name for over 7 years
Hi Monica, thanks . How can I start the quarantine process ?

A proper quarantine is a separate room (if not an entire building) with a separate air supply. Toys, food, perches, dishes, etc are all separate from your current birds stuff.

Any time you leave the room/building, you change clothes, change shoes, wash your hands and maybe even take a shower.

You would do this for 30-90 days, preferably 45-60 days min because some diseases take a while to 'incubate' and actually show up. Once or twice during this process, the bird should be vetted with blood work. Always handle the new bird last!


Unfortunately, not many owners have the full capability of pulling off a proper quarantine. Space restrictions, lack of separate air space, funds, or what have you... (I am one of those people, lack of separate air space/a separate building) here are some articles about quarantining.

How To Quarantine Your New Pet Bird
How to quarantine a new pet bird - ParrotChronicles.com Feature Story
Quarantine - Amazons - Joannie Doss



Hope that's enlightening, as dreadful as it sounds...

Re: My CAG Coco is on the way,need advice with Quarantine and Introduction to my home

Monica,thank you very much for those links. Honestly after reading them all, I couldnt sleep last night, I was up for hours doing extensive research about the quarantine process,and right now I'm extremely worried about everything. Kind of the excitement I had with the arrival of Coco is gone
I live in the basement with my parents,and I have no room avalaible for a Quarantine. Its a finished basement,and its like a studio apartment, I have those fold up doors dividing my bedroom. So I was going to quarantine in there. Coco is coming from an owner of 7 years and never went to the vet and I know I will get bashed for this on the forums, I never took my B&G Elvis to the Vet, and I've had him since he was 3. I don't know what to do everyone ? I'm lost

Any way you could take (and afford) Elvis to an avian vet with basic blood work and fecals?

And have the current owner of Coco do the same, with you paying for the vet visit? That is, before you bring Coco home, and have that vet send the records to your vet? (unless it's same vet)


It's not any sure fire way or guarantee, but it's something. I don't mean to scare you, but it is quite the eye opener about some of those nasties out there!

Thats a great idea ! Any idea on prices or where I can find a good Vet in NY ? Well I arranged to pick up Coco on Sat, so I would have to get Elvis done before Fri afternoon ,and Coco after I pick her up. I wonder how much ?

Walking in the door could be $45-$90 out of pocket... basic blood-work would be $75-$160 (typically). Per bird. Fecals/gram stains may be $15-$60.

I have heard of some good a-vets but can't think of them off the top of my head... maybe this'll help?
The Association of Avian Veterinarians | Association

I don't think you'll be able to get results in such a short time frame, as many a-vets must send blood work out to labs. Fecal/gram stains may be able to be done 'in-house' but may also require to be sent out...



Wouldn't hurt to get an avian vet now and start discussing things! Find an a-vet willing to sit and talk to you!

I really hate the fact that I'm on a budget with a living breathing parrot,that means the world to me You have really good points Monica, and I really appreciate the help. The time frame is ticking on me. I'll check the link for a nearby vet. I was also looking around the forums for a NY Avian Vet, but my search wasn't succesful

Worse case scenario, you adopt Coco, then get both birds in to an a-vet to get both checked out (when money allows), and hope for the best!

Have you heard of or do you use Care Credit? If you qualify for it, it can help to pay for veterinarian bills, although not all vets may accept it... mine did, but I don't have Care Credit.

Monica ! You are absolutely the best. I do have Care Credit,and I'll totally forgot that they do cover veterinarian bills. I will definitely go that route. What kind of tests should I perform on both birds ? And how should I introduce Coco to my house ?
I was thinking of keeping her on the other side of my basement in my room,separated by the folding doors . Also my local groomer for Elvis offered to see Coco after I pick her up,for a quick check. She is really good and the best in the area. It's For Birds Only in Minoela,Long Island NY

Minimum you'll want is the basic exam and fecals. I do recommend getting basic blood-work done as well.

I have read that if a vet office doesn't accept Care Credit, you can always contact Care Credit and see if they can get something set up with the vets office for payment. Some offices may even offer their own payment plans, although this seems to be geared more towards current customers who pay off their bills rather than new customers. It varies.


First and foremost is find an a-vet! Get an appointment, discuss the situation with the vet, and talk about things that should or should not be done! If you find a great a-vet, they'll be understanding and caring! They'll work with you!

Thanks for all of your help Monica, I really appreciate it,especially from someone as experienced as you. Maybe when I take Coco to my groomer after I pick her up this Saturday afternoon,I'll ask her if she knows a good Vet. So should I setup up her cage in my bedroom, or i shouldn't because its not really a Quarantine ?

I'm picking her up tomorrow,here are some pics, she's about 10-12 years old, and I'll be her 4th and last owner She's been on a strict sunflower seeds and regular parrot food from the pet store diet for about 7 years. So I have a challenge ahead of me, to try and get her onto different foods
I was wondering if anyone knows what kind of cage is this ? And should I upgrade down the road ? Thanks,enjoy the pics

That diet and that cage, I wouldn't be surprised if Coco is malnourished and something is off. She looks healthy enough, but blood work may say otherwise.

If you have a carrier you can put her in or a small cage, I would suggest doing that while you completely scrub down her cage inside and out! Sanitize it, etc. What can't be cleaned (wood items) should be thrown out! (and replaced)

Main thing is, don't take that cage inside your home until you have it as cleaned as you can get it!

Not sure of the brand of cage, but the metal handle is kind of distinctive. I've seen it before but don't know the brand off hand.

Minimum cage size requirement (IMO) is a 32x23 cage for a grey, so I would definitely recommend an upgrade if you have the money and space for a larger cage!

Thanks Monica,the owner said she is very healthy. He has housed her for about 7 years,but on that seed diet,with no fruits,yes the blood work will say different :/
I do have a carrier and she'll go in there and to my groomer for a check up. I hear her nails and wings need to be trimmed,but I don't know if I should do that now, or wait till she is settle in,any opinions ? I will thoroughly clean the cage,but I'm still looking for a bigger cage, her cage is 24 X 22. Should I placed her in my bedroom away from Elvis tomorrow afternoon ?

Place her as far away from Elvis as you can.

I'm curious to know if she flies or not... because if she doesn't, she wont need her wings trimmed (IMO).

Good luck on your new addition. I take my birds to Ida as well. My greys have been on seed diet but i have been adding roudybush to their bowls. As for the vet pet haven animal hospital has an avian vet.

She is beautiful. I would scrub clean the cage thoroughly before bringing it in.