African Grey's bad behavior

[Rick. L.]

He's a recent adoption. A great companion bird. Loves laps, chests, and shoulders. Very sweet. He sounds like a real treat except if he's on the loose he gets into everything and chews it to pieces. Moldings, bottom of doors, garbage cans. I've put hook and eye locks where I can do he just chews what he can. I don't like to confine him to his cage, but he doesn't seem to be learning "no". Any suggestions?

 

[wrench13]

Rick that is just a part of parrot ownership. Some birds LOVE to chew any and every thing. try redirecting to acceptable toys. Keep trying different types, and rotate them.

 

[nkrbkr]

What kind of toys does your Grey have access to? Be sure he has lots of toys that can be chewed, chipped, shredded, etc. An appropriate toy is one that the bird can easily destroy (pine, balsa, sola, mahogany pods, vine balls, woven seagrass, hardwood beads to snap, cardboard, etc.), and should help reduce his interest in chewing your house. Some birds like harder materials to chew, others prefer softer materials. Experiment to see what your guy likes.

 

[texsize]

Our grey Bella has destroyed the door molding on bathroom and bedroom doors and kitchen cabinets.

Best bet is don’t let them land/perch in those areas.
Put up blocking material PCM (parrot counter measures).
I give Bella cardboard boxes to destroy but she sometimes chooses no no material anyway.
And even if they do learn NO by the time you can say it the damage has already been done.

 

[Rick. L.]

Thanks so much guys for the great suggestions. It is a little upsetting but bottom line, end of the day, its just a molding. PCM's sound very good. Guards too. He likes his hangy swingy toys with some cardboard in between the slats. He likes ropes, braided heavy twine things, balls of sticks with prizes in the middle. He has a pretty good variety. He may need some toys when he's out and about to play with. He has a floor stand with perch and cups and Nicktoons he likes. Very cool, affectionate bird.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

A few of my budgies have taken to landing on the stationary wood ceiling fan blades 11 feet overhead and chewing them up. Not good! I feel for you.

 

[wrench13]

Salty has a length of heavy plastic chain going from one side of the room to the other, and we hang most of his toys etc from that. He's been liking shreddy baskety type stuff for a few years now. Used to be med colored wood toys. And his bell.. God, he loves that bell. And puzzles, Salty loves puzzles; solves them much too quickly and he has lots of them. But I think most of all he loves doing trick training with me. This bird literally runs to the training area when its time. Keeps him busy and sharp.

 

[rheashard2]

My CAG is primarily a disassembly expert Re channeling is your best option. Choose toys with a variety of textures, shapes and colors for the foundation. You want easy to get and destroy. Mixed with very difficult to get at and destroy. Foot toys and hanging toys. Switching toys around also helps. But... for parrot reasons given a chance they'll find something to destroy with out of cage time. Nameliss my disassembly expert doesn't go after molding and such. She goes after removing the door knob, hinges, stitches from clothing in her reach, screws etc. Find out what your bird prefers. Check out bird toy stores that sell individual items. Buy what you can in bulk and make your own. CAG's seem to require a lot of mental stimulation. I believe that is true of all parrots CAG's are the more infamous.

 

[Rick. L.]

Our grey Bella has destroyed the door molding on bathroom and bedroom doors and kitchen cabinets.

Best bet is don’t let them land/perch in those areas.
Put up blocking material PCM (parrot counter measures).
I give Bella cardboard boxes to destroy but she sometimes choosesww no no material anyway.
And even if they do learn NO by the time you can say it the damage has already been done.

Will look into molding protection (PCM's). I'm finding new spots regularly. They like variety.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

My wood ceiling fan blades are just big chew toys to my budgies.

 

[Macawdamia Nut]

Birds like their thing. My macaw is not so much into chewing wood as he is into plucking carpet and rugs. Most of my house has hardwood and tile, but if there is a carpet or rug, he has investigated it and found his favorite spots for plucking! Birds do bird things. I blame myself for not watching him more closely.

 

[Rick. L.]

My Grey likes wood and cardboard, paper products. I tossed a cardboard box just large enough for him to easily fit inside. It's just the best toy for now.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Most parrots enjoy destroying cardboard egg cartons, too.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

I save the cardboard drink trays for Yvons, my grey. And Happy Meals boxes from McDonald's. I stick them on the bottom of his cage and fill them with treats. He's always looking for something new to devour!!

 

[rheashard2]

Nameliss enjoys chewing cardboard boxes. I bought a cardboard roll from a bird store. I have to present it as a not to be chewed on item. Bird logic insists that items presented as " ok to destroy" aren't near as much fun as do not touch items.

 

[Rick. L.]

Salty has a length of heavy plastic chain going from one side of the room to the other, and we hang most of his toys etc from that. He's been liking shreddy baskety type stuff for a few years now. Used to be med colored wood toys. And his bell.. God, he loves that bell. And puzzles, Salty loves puzzles; solves them much too quickly and he has lots of them. But I think most of all he loves doing trick training with me. This bird literally runs to the training area when its time. Keeps him busy and sharp.

Salty sounds like a great bird. I think I enjoy the bond we develop with our little guys most. Now that Storm is established he's turned to teaching me. He lets me know where he wants to go and do. He's learning "no" better now as long as I keep an eye on him and ears open for crunching or too much quiet. Someone suggested cardboard egg cartons. He likes those alot.

 

[rheashard2]

All parrots train owners. It's a fact of living with them. CAG's seem to love using their brains. So don't let easy to destroy become too easy resulting in mischief. I also have my mind set to listening for the sounds in the quiet. Glad things are getting better.

 

[Mulligan]

He's a recent adoption. A great companion bird. Loves laps, chests, and shoulders. Very sweet. He sounds like a real treat except if he's on the loose he gets into everything and chews it to pieces. Moldings, bottom of doors, garbage cans. I've put hook and eye locks where I can do he just chews what he can. I don't like to confine him to his cage, but he doesn't seem to be learning "no". Any suggestions?

Birds chew for beak exercise. Not bad behavior - it is birds way of life. I open cage and allow her to stand on top, but get her everytime she gets down. Feel bad, but value my furniture and moldings, etc.