Help with Grey

[LisaandTeddie]

Hey Ya'll. 4 weeks ago, I brought home an Congo African Grey. He is now 3 and a half months old. everything is great with him, except, he will not go into his cage at all. At night when i go to put in, its a struggle. When hes finally in there, He will not perch. He climbs the cage for severeal minutes and then, He stands on the bottom of the cage and literally stomps his feet . I have changed the cage out, i have tried different perches, i have changed the location of the cage. He will not perch. During the day, He perches on several different perches, with ease. He eats well, he is very active and is pleasant. Can anyone tell me what the reason for this may be? I really am desperate for a solution. What am i doing wrong? helllppp... i really love this little guy....thank you. i am currently, trying to find and purchace a nice perch for his cages. One cage is 31.5"L X 23.625"W X 61"H the other one is 61"H X 42"W X 25" D...the choices and decision is overwhelming to me and i cant choose. any suggestions ya'll, ii would greatly appreciate!!

 

[Vampiric_Conure75]

Have you tried giving him a treat he gets ONLY when it's time to go back into the cage? My guy will practically do backflips for peanuts. I show him the peanut and put it in a foraging box at the bottom of his cage. Once inside, I cheer like he's won the Olympics and close him up.

 

[wrench1375]

Greys are very smart, so you must be smarter. Keep tweaking the conditions until you hit upon the right one. afa Perching at nite, he was likely raised in a tub or tank, so he is used to sleeping on a flat surface. I'd have a perch at ground level, see if he selects that at nite. If yes, gradually raise it.

 

[AMD75]

Welcome to the forum! I agree try showing an putting treats in the cage, and lower his perchs. Would love pics!

 

[osklvste81]

Welcome to the forums. As above. Greys are among the smartest parrots out there. The goal of all parrots especially CAG is owner training! There's no way around this. He's not very old either. Since he's climbing all over cage he csn climb in it. If he's eating treats, his food and veggies put a little in cage. CAG's are curious and entertainer themselves. Toys hanging just out reach near the entrance. One play. One very easy to destroy. Curiosity, investigation are a baby and adult healthy CAG's #1 priority. Some babies take a bit longer to be comfortable to sleep on perch. If he's used to sleeping on the flat put him there. Leave him in it. I got my CAG at about the same age as yours. She stayed in cage all day playing eating etc. At night she wanted out. I put her in an Amazon box. At sunup she wanted cage. One evening left lights on because of errand. She stayed asleep in cage. So discovered she wanted a small night light. The amount that comes under door at night. I figured that maybe there was a light on somewhere for breeders to check or feed other chicks. While he's comfortable being in a box like structure. Get him used to being in a travel carrier. Vet trips, unexpected travel etc. Being comfortable there will decrease stress on both of you. Take your time. Patience.

 

[LisaandTeddie]

Have you tried giving him a treat he gets ONLY when it's time to go back into the cage? My guy will practically do backflips for peanuts. I show him the peanut and put it in a foraging box at the bottom of his cage. Once inside, I cheer like he's won the Olympics and close him up.

I have tried, ONCE, to get him to take a great when he was in his cage, no luck. But, I will try and try and try again. Thank you so much

 

[LisaandTeddie]

Greys are very smart, so you must be smarter. Keep tweaking the conditions until you hit upon the right one. afa Perching at nite, he was likely raised in a tub or tank, so he is used to sleeping on a flat surface. I'd have a perch at ground level, see if he selects that at nite. If yes, gradually raise it.

Thank you. Yes, I have a perch almost on the floor of his cage. No luck. I put in a corner, flat platform perch no luck. I also have him a rope low on his cage as well, no luck.

 

[LisaandTeddie]

Welcome to the forums. As above. Greys are among the smartest parrots out there. The goal of all parrots especially CAG is owner training! There's no way around this. He's not very old either. Since he's climbing all over cage he csn climb in it. If he's eating treats, his food and veggies put a little in cage. CAG's are curious and entertainer themselves. Toys hanging just out reach near the entrance. One play. One very easy to destroy. Curiosity, investigation are a baby and adult healthy CAG's #1 priority. Some babies take a bit longer to be comfortable to sleep on perch. If he's used to sleeping on the flat put him there. Leave him in it. I got my CAG at about the same age as yours. She stayed in cage all day playing eating etc. At night she wanted out. I put her in an Amazon box. At sunup she wanted cage. One evening left lights on because of errand. She stayed asleep in cage. So discovered she wanted a small night light. The amount that comes under door at night. I figured that maybe there was a light on somewhere for breeders to check or feed other chicks. While he's comfortable being in a box like structure. Get him used to being in a travel carrier. Vet trips, unexpected travel etc. Being comfortable there will decrease stress on both of you. Take your time. Patience.

 

[LisaandTeddie]

Thank you so much for all the great tips and suggestions. Yes, ii 100% agree. They are very smart! Im thinking, Hes already has me trained. I have had his food in there before, but i probably didnt give it enough time. (it was at the same time that ii was weaning him from formula) i will give that another try. Ive also tried putting his favorite toys in there as well. hmm.. i have the small carrier that he came with, i will try that as well. yes...ii also left the hall light on so some light would come through the bottom of the door. Thank you again. This is a great forum!! very helpful for sure.

 

[LisaandTeddie]

Welcome to the forum! I agree try showing an putting treats in the cage, and lower his perchs. Would love pics!

 

[osklvste81]

What kind of style of cage and location? Some can be picky. My CAG wants back side only against wall. Been that way forever. She doesn't like domes either. Found that out with a back up cage for a 6 wk trip. Consider those. #1 Why is your baby afraid to go into the cage? Is it that cage or any cage? Is it a size so he can grow into.? So his baby mind has made it something else? Your baby is still very young. Is there a way for you to make a baby bird safe area sleeping spot included next to cage? Have few short perches and different small toys scattered outside, in and around cage in easy reach. This will encourage his interaction. He'll build trust at his pace. Have everything as close to cage as possible. Make it his decision to go into box or sleeping area safely. Keep a few various treats just out of reach in cage. If possible different cups set below his eye level. Bit of fruit, veggie, different types of nuts. That's to avoid your youngster getting hooked on one thing. Watch him, pay attention to his behavior. Learn his body language. How does he look relaxed, playful, afraid, nervous. Birds talk with a combination of their whole body. Now the hard part. Genuine fear, nervous? Toddler tantrum, owner training? A combination. That's why patiently observing and learning is so very important. You want to earn and keep his trust.

 

[osklvste81]

Your baby is so cute. Looks like he's having fun.

 

[LisaandTeddie]

Your baby is so cute. Looks like he's having fun.

he is for sure having fun! thank you

 

[LisaandTeddie]

What kind of style of cage and location? Some can be picky. My CAG wants back side only against wall. Been that way forever. She doesn't like domes either. Found that out with a back up cage for a 6 wk trip. Consider those. #1 Why is your baby afraid to go into the cage? Is it that cage or any cage? Is it a size so he can grow into.? So his baby mind has made it something else? Your baby is still very young. Is there a way for you to make a baby bird safe area sleeping spot included next to cage? Have few short perches and different small toys scattered outside, in and around cage in easy reach. This will encourage his interaction. He'll build trust at his pace. Have everything as close to cage as possible. Make it his decision to go into box or sleeping area safely. Keep a few various treats just out of reach in cage. If possible different cups set below his eye level. Bit of fruit, veggie, different types of nuts. That's to avoid your youngster getting hooked on one thing. Watch him, pay attention to his behavior. Learn his body language. How does he look relaxed, playful, afraid, nervous. Birds talk with a combination of their whole body. Now the hard part. Genuine fear, nervous? Toddler tantrum, owner training? A combination. That's why patiently observing and learning is so very important. You want to earn and keep his trust.

thank you. i am currently, trying to find and purchace a nice perch for his cages. One cage is 31.5"L X 23.625"W X 61"H the other one is 61"H X 42"W X 25" D...the choices and decision is overwhelming to me and i cant choose. any suggestions ya'll, ii would greatly appreciate!!

 

[osklvste81]

No round. Reported CAG's have higher incidence of becoming neurotic with feather plucking and other vices. Otherwise the largest you can afford that can fit in your space. One with room for a good wing stretch at least. Preferably for a flap. Measure your preferred area and check for drafts. If you ger it make sure to squeeze the bars send it back. Large parrots have strong and sharp beaks. That won't hold up. Fewer places are selling in store. On line with AI altered pictures be cautious. Check here for exact bar measurements. Food and water dishes are dependent upon your CAG. My isn't a chewer. She's a disassembly expert. At 5 mo she decided food, water dishes were entertaining on the cage bottom. She played with them there. Pellets are expensive. I live in South Texas so water is kinda necessary. Chop she usually eats before throwing dish. My solution. A pellet food house and water bottle. Notice she's being contrary. Removing pellet one at a time. Your little one could have be even more inventive. Not every thing will work. I don't know how much I spent and internet searching. A pic with both. For birdie reasons. She takes a pellet at a time out, nibbles and repeats.