Developments with my CAG

MTG

Member
May 22, 2019
34
22
Cambridgeshire, UK
Parrots
Quaker Parrot,
Congo African Grey
Hello Again,

Since my last post, I have been working hard with Zelda (my CAG) to build up trust between us and also to build up her confidence. For the most part, I think it's going well.

mtg-albums-pets-picture22017-whatsapp-image-2019-11-11-21-26-19.jpeg


I have had her for approximately 11 weeks now. I have been working with her every day, with target training, and out of cage time.

She will still not step up onto my hand from inside her cage, but when she climbs out of the cage she will step up no problem. She will also step up just fine from her stands, just not from in the cage. She used to be very cautious out of the cage so I tried hard to make any out of cage time very positive and reassured her all the time. She now seems to enjoy sitting on her stand by me eating some snacks and playing with toys, but after about 20 minutes or so she will get a bit fidgety and want to go back to the cage so I let her.

In the last couple of weeks, I was honored to be trusted enough for her to ask for head scratches. She seemed to enjoy this for 2 weeks or so, but just recently changed her mind and now wants none. Is this 2 steps forward 1 step back pattern normal with greys? My Quakers' development with me was very different.

She and my Quaker seem to be getting along ok when out of the cage together. I monitor them very carefully when out together and always supervise. I compare them to siblings, in that if Yoshi (the quaker) gets too close to what Zelda is eating she will push him away, and vice versa. I feel like Yoshi just wants to be friends with her as he is always trying to edge close but she wants none of it at the moment haha, she just about tolerates his presence. There has been no real aggression between them though, just the occasional bickering which is good (i think).

For the most part, I think it is going well with Zelda. I am trying to avoid Yoshi getting jealous, but to be honest he seems pretty obsessed with her.

Any further tips from anyone? I feel like I'm doing ok but I just want to do the very best I can for her.
 

Flboy

Well-known member
Dec 28, 2014
12,598
4,101
Greater Orlando area, Florida
Parrots
JoJo, 'Special' GCC, Bongo, Cinnamon GCC(wife's)
Nice! Hey, I noticed the egg shaped latch is upside down! Wide down to prevent getting a foot stuck in the narrow end!
 

Squeekmouse

Well-known member
May 31, 2017
840
337
Illinois
Parrots
Yoda, Green Cheek Conure - Trigger, Congo African Grey
In the last couple of weeks, I was honored to be trusted enough for her to ask for head scratches. She seemed to enjoy this for 2 weeks or so, but just recently changed her mind and now wants none. Is this 2 steps forward 1 step back pattern normal with greys?

Sounds like you are describing my Trigger!! ;)

I have to assume this is totally normal for CAG's, my GCC love scritches always. Trigger likes skritches on his own terms... sometimes...

On the bright side, when Trigger DOES come over and lower his head for skritches it is THE most wonderful and special thing :)
 

DRB

Well-known member
Jan 23, 2016
1,024
75
Ohio
Parrots
Perjo - Female CAG hatch Nov 2015
They will make marketable strides then all of a sudden throw you a curve and not want to progress.

I’ve been teaching Perjo how to count, she seems to be interested one day then two days later she acts as if she’s never seen the proofs I use.
 

bigfellasdad

New member
Sep 21, 2017
925
Media
8
20
NorthWest England
Parrots
Enzo - adopted Female CAG circa 2004. A truly amazing young lady!
Why be concerned about stepping up within her cage? Its not a biggy and at the end of the day, its her space. Id just respect her on that one.
For interest, if i get in the cage with Enzo (upper body only of course) she gets flirty with me so i try not to do that. She does like me to put her up to her top perch at bed time 'night night' and that's about the only time i have to put my arm/shoulders in now. Its her space remember.
 
Last edited:

janesommers

New member
Dec 12, 2019
1
0
Hello Again,

Since my last post, I have been working hard with Zelda (my CAG) to build up trust between us and also to build up her confidence. For the most part, I think it's going well.

mtg-albums-pets-picture22017-whatsapp-image-2019-11-11-21-26-19.jpeg


I have had her for approximately 11 weeks now. I have been working with her every day, with target training, and out of cage time.

She will still not step up onto my hand from inside her cage, but when she climbs out of the cage she will step up no problem. She will also step up just fine from her stands, just not from in the cage. She used to be very cautious out of the cage so I tried hard to make any out of cage time very positive and reassured her all the time. She now seems to enjoy sitting on her stand by me eating some snacks and playing with toys, but after about 20 minutes or so she will get a bit fidgety and want to go back to the cage so I let her.

In the last couple of weeks, I was honored to be trusted enough for her to ask for head scratches. She seemed to enjoy this for 2 weeks or so, but just recently changed her mind and now wants none. Is this 2 steps forward 1 step back pattern normal with greys? My Quakers' development with me was very different.

She and my Quaker seem to be getting along ok when out of the cage together. I monitor them very carefully when out together and always supervise. I compare them to siblings, in that if Yoshi (the quaker) gets too close to what Zelda is eating she will push him away, and vice versa. I feel like Yoshi just wants to be friends with her as he is always trying to edge close but she wants none of it at the moment haha, she just about tolerates his presence. There has been no real aggression between them though, just the occasional bickering which is good (i think).

For the most part, I think it is going well with Zelda. I am trying to avoid Yoshi getting jealous, but to be honest he seems pretty obsessed with her.

Any further tips from anyone? I feel like I'm doing ok but I just want to do the very best I can for her.





Well I think it's a bit normal for greys to get in to some sort of mood swings form time to time, it depends on how much interaction she gets daily. However, your experience seems pretty unique and wouldn't have any predefined manual. It would definitely take some time for Zelda and Yoshi to really rub off each other so maybe take it gradually and consistently. Seems like you've got sweet birds altogether. Wish you all the best from me and my 2 CAG's Tiki and Bill.
 

DRB

Well-known member
Jan 23, 2016
1,024
75
Ohio
Parrots
Perjo - Female CAG hatch Nov 2015
Perjo been with me for nearly 4 years and she doesn’t always step up for me in her cage, remember they’re extremely intelligent and they probably view that cage as theirs and they’ll do as they please when they please. Sometimes she’s more than willing to step up for me inside the cage other times eh. Usually I don’t need her to bc once I open the cage door she walks over and wants to come out or interact.
 

bigfellasdad

New member
Sep 21, 2017
925
Media
8
20
NorthWest England
Parrots
Enzo - adopted Female CAG circa 2004. A truly amazing young lady!
Just a thought. I have recently mounted a perch on to her cage door and if enzo wants to come out she goes to the perch and lifts a foot. I find this so much easier to get her in and out and she is now a lot more relaxed about me bringing her in/out
 
Last edited:

DRB

Well-known member
Jan 23, 2016
1,024
75
Ohio
Parrots
Perjo - Female CAG hatch Nov 2015
I’ve done that as well, Perjo spends a lot of time on her perches on the outside of the cage.
 

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