Cag 101

[jcharbula]

My Smokey is a Timneh, same for them? Are they considered flock birds also?

 

[Tami2]

My Smokey is a Timneh, same for them? Are they considered flock birds also?

I just did a search on an African Grey site and it did not mention anything about them being flock birds. But, it did on the CAG section.

 

[DRB]

Flock Behavior: How It Affects Our Companion Parrots

This is a helpful read for understanding flocks and behavioral stuff

 

[Janet]

Wonderful information everyone!! Thank you so much! I have a CAG in waiting (being weaned) and still a few months away before coming home! I plan on having him/her (should know in a few weeks) in a room with 2 IRN’s and a GCC. From the sounds of it, I should probably set up a place downstairs too. My husband works out of the home and has a full-time and part-time assistant here during the day. Would it be too disruptive for my CAG to move from downstairs and upstairs? Or should I instead plan on having the downstairs as his permanent setting with his cage and all?

 

[Tami2]

Hi Janet,

I have two cages in my primary home. He has a large macaw size cage downstairs & a smaller play top cage upstairs. He does well with both.
He even sleeps in the upstairs cage occasionally.
He’s fine with it. I also tell him prior to moving him around, just out of respect.
No, let me rephrase, I ask him. If he doesn’t want to go upstairs I don’t bring him. Eventually, he wants the come b/c he doesn’t want to alone.

 

[Lbabylee]

Also a good tip is place a chair but his cage, turn a little music on and read him a book. Whether that be a kids book or the novel you are reading. If possible take his cage in the room where you are you going to be.
The key thing is PATIENCE. He will soon show signs of trust and begin training YOU. The most important thing is give him time to adjust. In no time you will be best buds. You have a greyt attitude. Much

Oh My - I am so sorry. HaHaHa. Oops.
Ok - I was dancing in my seat because I had to go to the bathroom and I was waiting to escort someone who was on their way to our building. I'm so sorry. But thank you for posting your remarks.

About all I've done with my new guy is - whistle back to him when I'm in the kitchen. Talk to him through the cage. (He backs away from me all fluffed up when I ask him to "step up" so I'm not pushing it.) He will let me touch his feet and once his beak. I've had him less than a week so I'm not worried. Just so excited to have him. I do open the door and give him opportunity to explore the outside of his cage if he wants.

 

[Littleredbeak]

What s great post! Definitely worth a read!

 

[CraigH]

Left hand poison! YES! And yeah, clumsy to the point of comedy. I love my grey.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS THREAD! I'm potentially getting a TAG and I'm very nervous about having a bird bigger than a cockatiel, or bigger than my Pionus. You helped me understand Greys better!

 

[rheashard2]

This is a wonderful post! Everything is so true. CAG have a basic mind set. The key I've found is using that as a foundation. Nameliss can tell when I'm upset, migraine, and more. She'll spend a high amount of time blowing kisses and talking softly to me. When I'm in an upbeat mood: I have to deal with red-tailed hawk in her room and the one dive bombing the back yard. Then I turn my attention to fried or roast chicken, chicken and dumplings, cooking with chicken broth. I believe that my subconscious is pondering parrot pot pie! Anyone who is considering a CAG needs to read these posts. Especially anyone new to larger parrots!

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

Greys are loud, volume-wise. NO really. They are LOUD. That's my first lesson in CAG ownership, LOL! The upside is that they don't use their voices very often, and if they do, they prefer to mimic noises or talk. Mind you, please take this with a grain of salt, as I've had Yvons for a grand total of 4 days, LOL! There are dogs in my apartment building, so people shouldn't complain about the noise.

 

[rheashard2]

Greys are loud, volume-wise. NO really. They are LOUD. That's my first lesson in CAG ownership, LOL! The upside is that they don't use their voices very often, and if they do, they prefer to mimic noises or talk. Mind you, please take this with a grain of salt, as I've had Yvons for a grand total of 4 days, LOL! There are dogs in my apartment building, so people shouldn't complain about the noise.

You named a reason why I have chosen a CAG over other species. Yes, CAG voices are loud. And seem louder in a confined area, like apartment. But they rarely scream unless mimicking something. Smoke, car, fire, clock alarms, hawks, dragons, sirens are just a few. Unless learned the duration is rarely long. And, a lot depends upon human and animal responses around them. Ignore the undesired and reward the positive. This is very important for all animals. Dogs want to please their people. Parrots tend to do things to get their people to do what they want.