Have Senegal. Have added Congo Grey. Q's.

[theocnoob]

Hello everyone. My name is Pablo. I have a Senegal, and now also an African Grey. Why you ask?

I went by a pet store, and noticed him quite frightened in a cage low to the ground surrounded by much larger birds He is missing a toe (looks parent removed at birth) The ownder of the pet shop went to yank him out. I told him to stop and gently asked teh bird out. IT instantly bonded with me and I felt I had to buy it and save it. It SEEMS healthy. I was told it is, and it appears to be, about five months old. It has not been sexed.

Given the ordeal, the bird is confused and stressed. It goes from begging to cuddle to wanting to flee. But only slightly. It mainly seeks cuddles. It will beaklock with me (I know, brave and or stupid of me), will eat but has not drunk water. It gently has bitten but not the "I want to hurt you bite", rather the "I am frightened bite".

He has made several attempts to talk to me. He looks like he'll be a good talker one day. He already says hello perfectly at such a young age.

Here are the gentlemen parrots. Any advice, of any kind is appreciated and I am impossible to offend. Say anything you like.

The grey I 'rescued' today.

The Sen I've had almost four years (his age is 4)
He's wonderful and a great family member with zero issues. I do believe he wishes to mate with my mum though ... ...

Please comment and help me with relaxing and calming the grey as it seems somehow traumatized. I realize this was either honorable or stupid but it is done. I do plan of course to keep both until I am no longer on this earth.

 

[nofearengineer]

Well, first off...you need to quarantine him...for your Senegal's sake. Make sure you wash your hands between birds. Avoid the urge to feed/clean up both cages at once to save time.

That could actually work in your favor, because most parrots, and Greys especially...respond well to peace and quiet. Obviously, don't shut him in a room alone for a month, but you get the idea.

If he sees you playing and socializing with your Senegal, it would be good for him. That will help build trust.

By the way...he does look to be in fine feather. If he's truly healthy, that's a great start.

Make sure your Senegal doesn't get territorial with him or jealous of the newbie.

 

[BirdieNumNum]

It sounds like you have a great start with your new grey!! I'm so happy you rescued the poor baby, that pet store was no place for him. How long have you had him? It sounds like you got him very recently, so I would say he is warming up to you quickly! Just spend time with him every day because he definitely wants to be with you. He's just scared, which is understandable because he was mistreated at the pet store and he had nobody. Now he has someone who cares for him, but he still doesn't trust humans completely (at least I know I wouldn't) so give him some time and I think he will be a great friend . He sounds like such a sweetheart! I feel so bad for him that he was stuck in that pet store with the mean pet store owner. Thanks again for saving this baby and offering him a better life. I look forward to hearing about his progress !

 

[theocnoob]

Well, first off...you need to quarantine him...for your Senegal's sake. Make sure you wash your hands between birds. Avoid the urge to feed/clean up both cages at once to save time.

That could actually work in your favor, because most parrots, and Greys especially...respond well to peace and quiet. Obviously, don't shut him in a room alone for a month, but you get the idea.

If he sees you playing and socializing with your Senegal, it would be good for him. That will help build trust.

By the way...he does look to be in fine feather. If he's truly healthy, that's a great start.

Make sure your Senegal doesn't get territorial with him or jealous of the newbie.

The problem is I live in a 500 square foot flat. This is about 160 meter square. I can have him in my bedroom maybe. Not even sure if it will fit. Quarantine may be impossible and I feel like a fool for not thinking of it. The birds at the store ALL looked healthy and were in perfect feather. He is in perfect feather. I will attempt more photos tommorow. He was eating Zupreem brand. I did not ask what formula he had been fed. I did see a basket of 'questionably fresh apples' (I assume for birds ) but it was otherwise 'kosher' at the store.

Now I am super worried about this quarantine issue.. What do I do guys????

Also I think the damage may be done as I held the grey then the sen seperately before quarantine occurred to me I feel so stupid now......

 

[theocnoob]

It sounds like you have a great start with your new grey!! I'm so happy you rescued the poor baby, that pet store was no place for him. How long have you had him? It sounds like you got him very recently, so I would say he is warming up to you quickly! Just spend time with him every day because he definitely wants to be with you. He's just scared, which is understandable because he was mistreated at the pet store and he had nobody. Now he has someone who cares for him, but he still doesn't trust humans completely (at least I know I wouldn't) so give him some time and I think he will be a great friend . He sounds like such a sweetheart! I feel so bad for him that he was stuck in that pet store with the mean pet store owner. Thanks again for saving this baby and offering him a better life. I look forward to hearing about his progress !

I have had him now for 7 hours. Scared is an understatement
the man who owned the store tried to pull him out by the feet and the bird screamed when he refused which is why I stepped in and asked the bird if itd come with me. I took a big risk, put my face in the cage with my eyes closed, and let it touch my nose with its beak,to let it know I was a friend, and he let me take him out and cuddle him and even beaklocked with me within 10 minutes of meeting me.

when I walked it back towards the bird room while waiting to pay it cried and clutched itself against me as if begging to be taken elsewhere.

Understandably he fears having his feet touch and getting him to learn step up will be a challenge. I felt I should have received a discount (bought the bird at full market RETAIL (ouch) price) due to the missing toe but the man refused and I just had to get that bird out of that place....

OH PS my Sen's tail featheres are rotted because he always left them in his water bowl. When I finally noticed it was too late so they will have to grow back.
(nap)

I hope to learn much at this forum. Any way to help the sen and grey become friends, given they have decades to live together? Might as well love eachother.
My friend has a conure and grey that love eachother, sleep together, preen eachother, play together... anything is possible. The Sen is a PERFECTLY behaved bird. Does all things one expects of this species. He is wonderful and outgoing and friendly. But he is DEFINITELY jealous of the grey. And looks at it spitefully.

Please give me all your advice guys and thanks again.

PS the cage for the grey is 1 meter by 1 meter by 2 meter. Is that large enough? That's like 3x3x6 in feet. I had to buy all these things in a hurry as I had to house this fellow. It's a nice wrought iron cage and everything. I didn't skimp out. More photos tommorow.

 

[theocnoob]

midnight local time update-


He was put to bed with a sheet at the same time as my sen around 9 and a bit. I looked up under the sheet he doesn't seem to be sleeping. Sort of dozing in and out. Poor guy must have had it very rough.
Big difference from my Senegal who's more trusting than a man who'll buy the statue of liberty off you for a dollar.

 

[theocnoob]

He is not allowing me to enter his cage today. He makes a threat sound and pecked my finger. Poor guy likely woke up confused. Here are pictures from this morning. His feather looks good. He has alternating flesh and black colored toe nails I noticed.

He is preening himself and ate a tiny piece of egg.

I have named him Oscar like from sesame street.. Partially because he is unhappy atm, partially because I saved him from a trash bin.

He has spent some time perched on only one foot, showing SOME level of comfort, but not alot. I feel bad for him. I wish he was just a friendly little puppy like my Senegal and we could all be happy.

Please help I'll do everything I can to make him happy!

 

[mtdoramike]

It seems pets stores are rarely owned by pet people or people who love animals and want the best for them. It seems the pest store you bought him from was owned or run by an idiot. At least now, he will get the care that he needs and deserves.

No matter how small your flat is, you really do need to seperate the two birds. Birds can look healthy from the outside and for quite some time before they start showing illness. It would be a shame to adopt your Grey and lose your Senegal in the process. This has happened quite often.

 

[theocnoob]

It seems pets stores are rarely owned by pet people or people who love animals and want the best for them. It seems the pest store you bought him from was owned or run by an idiot. At least now, he will get the care that he needs and deserves.

No matter how small your flat is, you really do need to seperate the two birds. Birds can look healthy from the outside and for quite some time before they start showing illness. It would be a shame to adopt your Grey and lose your Senegal in the process. This has happened quite often.

What do you recommend. My flat is Kitchen entrance to 'den/living area' then a door to the washroom and a door to the bed room. I will follow any suggestions.

The grey IS eating, he also gave me the 'im semi ok with you' two wings up greeting. Have yet to get the 'i accept you' one foot one wing out. He has been standing on one foot a lot indicating relative calmness. He still does not really want me to touch him.

Stupid pet store had him on a mostly seed mixture. bloody idiot. I'm glad I rescued him I want to give him a long happy life full of cuddles and joy... Poor little man...

Currently the cages are in the main room with 10 feet (3.1Meter) distance. I already broke the quarantine rule before reading this post so that damage is done (I AM SO SORRY)..
I have been washing my hands between touching cages/feeding. Holding the senegal who loves to cuddle infront of the greys cage appears to make the grey happy and calm. He sees I mean no harm.
Oh I'm so worried about my senegal now. How do I tell if something is going wrong?? I could not have foreseen this. nobody told me..

How about I put the Senegal in the bedroom. It barely fits they're in big cages but I can manage. The grey stays in the living room. Which is also a quieter area. The sen hates quiet and loves to jump on the keyboard and nibble and talk in my ear and explore so the bedroom is more ideal for him while the living area suits the grey who prefers quiet. How does that sound?? I will move them when Im home tonight.

 

[theocnoob]

Otherwise the grey DOES appear in perfect feather, right? And does appear 5 to 6 months of age? I think so but need second opinions. You guys are great glad I found this message board. The bird IS eating normally and in significant amounts already so that much is good. I am weening him off that garbage seed mixture to a proper pellet. Which do you guys find highest quality? I was told to use Zupreem by my Sen's breeder 4 years ago and have been.

 

[suncon97]

Zupreem is good food although I use Pretty Bird,African Special. The breeder we got Pearl from recommended it. If you have been using Zupreem that long and you like it then I would keep using it.

 

[theocnoob]

GOOD UPDATE! Gave the one foot one wing "I accept you" signal. Has a major step up problem that needs to be adressed, but also accepted more food, both from hand and mouth (beans). Improvements today .

 

[nofearengineer]

Be patient with him and don't rush.

I haven't seen too many truly good homes where a young parrot doesn't eventually come around. They're flock animals...genetically programmed to fit in.

In other words...give love, and he will return it.

 

[theocnoob]

!!!!

All he needed was love. I clipped his wings right down for safety. The reason is that he kept trying to fly but is a grade Z flyer cant fly straight, steer, or land. At ALL. Its like watching a plane hit the ground without landing gear. He shows signs of being roughly handled and traumatized. He loves hugs. He has trouble with step up and fears it but we worked on it and he
is starting to get it. His mind is sharp like a razor. He repeats words after only 10 times hearing them. He learned "Im sorry" because I kept saying Im sorry you are so sad to him and as we cuddled he said I'm sorry PERFECTLY. At five months, that tells me I'm going to have a grey with a huge vocabulary, and that's wonderful.

*Odd--

Grey is afraid to be taken out of his cage and shrieks but once he's out, he just wants to kiss and cuddle and complains about being returned to the cage. Definite trauma. Poor guy.

My Senegal is the oposite and says HIIIIII and jumps right out onto my hand and says KISS KISS. Love that guy.

The lady who bred my Senegal, I call her "Bird Whisperer". All her birds are perfect. She owns dozens. They don't fight. Amazing. She breeds sens and various conures. I'd share her pics but I have no permission. I'll ask.

*Question- should he have shall we say not poor, but sub par and grip at this age? He is a little tipsy. He hangs on, but not perfectly while I walk around like my sen does. He seems like does not have his full balance yet. Again though he was five months of age. Keeping in mind he is missing one toe.

Thanks again Any and all advice welcome.



In other words...give love, and he will return it.


Completely agree. I only took him out because he was ASKING to come out and trying to reach my shoulder but he fears hands for some reason. As soon as he's out he pushes up against me to cuddle and makes the 'i am comfy' beak scrape parrot noise. lets me touch him anywhere. Loves cheek beak and head stroking. Loves to cuddle. I think he's going to be alright?

Please give ANY advice. I don't care about the cost. These animals deserve to be happy. TY again.

Also do these greys have any special allergies? I avoid teflon pans, sources of smoke, hairspray for my sen. Anything extra for the grey?
Also is 20c (74?)F ok? I have it at 22C (77F) ATM just incase.

 

[lene1949]

Did you clip his wings yourself?

 

[suebee]

yeah on the new birdie

hummm if i was to move one bird to another room, i'd move the gray, only because with having a sene, and knowing how jealous she can get, i'd want to avoid that and your sene came 1st


but seriously??? relax

start the gray on fresh fruit an veg, NO apple seeds, advacados (BEST TO LOOK UP ANY NEW FOODS) same as for your sene, if his not a drinker, he can get moisture from his fresh

also there is the honeymoon period, not sure if all birds have it?? but nut went mental after 2wks and some others on here have had theres go bitey etc after a great start, there true personalities come through

 

[theocnoob]

Did you clip his wings yourself?

Yes. Got terible lines but took me 3 seconds. No trauma. I've been clipping my sen for 4 years and only recently stopped as I never open the window anyways and he's on my like glue regardless.

 

[theocnoob]

yeah on the new birdie

hummm if i was to move one bird to another room, i'd move the gray, only because with having a sene, and knowing how jealous she can get, i'd want to avoid that and your sene came 1st


but seriously??? relax

start the gray on fresh fruit an veg, NO apple seeds, advacados (BEST TO LOOK UP ANY NEW FOODS) same as for your sene, if his not a drinker, he can get moisture from his fresh

also there is the honeymoon period, not sure if all birds have it?? but nut went mental after 2wks and some others on here have had theres go bitey etc after a great start, there true personalities come through

Thanks for the comments. Sadly the grey can not move his cage is too massive to fit thru the room door. I barely got it through my front door. Sen or nothing

 

[theocnoob]

Please advise on cage seperation?

 

[theocnoob]

GREAT Improvement today. He came out of his cage by himself then stepped up on me without my asking. He already has perfect step up response as well. He was grooming me and we kissed and he went back on the cage. He is acting much, much happier.