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dreamer69

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Jul 3, 2016
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Hello everyone, I just joined this forum because seems like I could get a lot of help here. I just recently purchased a 4 year old African Grey. He is not tamed to step up or anything. The recent owner had him pretty much locked up in a small parakeet sized cage. The reason they sold him is because they had a female and he is a male but he was acting like he was a dominant male. When we got there he was in that little cage all squatted down and food bowl and water bowl was just plain nasty. I got him anyways because I felt sorry for him and I figured I could train him. I used to have cockatiels and I would force them to submit and perch on my finger. But as I read about these parrots that it is not a good idea to make them submissive. He has learned to say hello since I have had him. It has been 2 full days that I have had him. I know it takes patience but he whistles and seems to be happy here. I let him out of his cage everyday and he has a play ground and wonders on that. I can get close to him and talk to him and he does not try to bite me. But as soon as I try to see if he will step up he acts like he will bite. He likes me to rub his neck thru the cage when he puts his head down. I better not do it before that or he will try to nip me. I got gloves to see if that helps but he is terrified of the gloves. He is just a whistling and saying hello now as I type this. Any help or information would be greatly appreciated. Oh he loves the red grapes too. He eats those right out of my hand. I figured as much as I have given him and treated him that the trust would be there by now. I have never owned a big or medium sized parrot so this is a first for me. Thank you.
 

LeaKP

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Aug 11, 2014
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Congo African Grey
Welcome and thank you for taking in a grey! Such circumstances as he comes from most likely have molded him into an untrusting bird. But it sounds like you are on track with building trust. Don't rush him, take time. Greys do recover. I had a 9 year old male grey that I rehabilitated after some serious abuse. It took time but in 9 months he went from untrusting to stepping up and receiving head scratches and talking. There are lots of threads on the African grey forum, please browse them as well as researching YouTube for training and rehabilitation advice.

Greys need lots of stimulation, toys, and time. Their food also needs to be fresh fruits, vegetables (more veggies than fruits), nutriberries, lots of variety. Find their favorites and use them as rewards.

Also, greys need to bathe. In a few days, try spraying him with water from a spray bottle. Later on you can graduate to showering. Their feathers are dusty and need the water as in the wild they would be in forests where there's plenty of rain.

If he doesn't step up for a while, it's ok. The most important thing is for him to know you are the source of treats, food, and he is safe. Soon he will be ready to train. Once he gets into training, it's awesome!

Congratulations!
 
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dreamer69

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Jul 3, 2016
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LeaKP, thank you for the reply. I forgot to add that after the second day I got him a spray bottle and showered him every morning since. He loves it.
 

Allee

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Oct 27, 2013
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U2-Poppy(Poppy lives with her new mommy, Misty now) CAG-Jack, YNA, Bingo, Budgie-Piper, Cockatiel-Sweet Pea Quakers-Harry, Sammy, Wilson ***Zeke (quaker) Twinkle (budgie) forever in our hearts
I can't add to the excellent advice you've been given by LeaKP, just want to wish you well. You have a very special companion, the rewards for the time and effort involved will be well worth it. Try to move at his pace until you've earned his trust. What is your bird's name? We'd love to see photos.
 
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dreamer69

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Jul 3, 2016
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Alee, thank you for your comment. His name is LoLo as I got him from a hispanic family. He does not speak spanish so I do have that advantage. He did let me pet him earlier this afternoon without biting. As far as pictures go I do not know how to post pics on here yet but I will try to figure it out. I thought about changing his name but not sure if I can do that with a 4 year old grey.
 
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