Katyo91
New member
I just need some advice from bird people! lol
I currently have two parrots: a sun conure and an IRN (and I love them to death)! I have been toying with the idea of adding a medium-large bird to my family for a few months already..and had originally thought that i would get one a few years from now. But an offer came up and now I can't stop thinking about it. haha!
I have always been intrigued by Greys--Especially after reading Alex and Me by Irene Pepperberg
Also, I am a big fan of adopting rather than buying from a breeder. That is how i got my current fids!
Here is the email I had received from the lady who currently owns this Grey. His name is Ole.
"I got him about five years ago and he was at least 20 years old. My friend that worked at the MN Zoo in the aviation department bred African grays. Ole wouldn't breed with the females and seemed more of a pet type Despite not really being able to be handled. I know if he was someone's pet that spent time with him he would be. Since he is wild caught the person taking him would have to be aware of this factor. He says quite a few things and picks up new things in his new environment. He is well adjusted and I would include his cage and some supplies of course. He is currently on Harrison's organic pellet dry food and frozen mixed vegetables and various fruits daily. Use to also give him seeds in the mix but I haven't done that for a while. I will send you a picture via text today -that is his story and all the history that I am aware of. He has started a little bit of feather picking but it is not at all a problem yet"
Now there is no rush to get him or anything, she is willing to keep him as long as I would need to prepare so time isn't much of an issue. Here are some things im worried about:
-gaining his trust..seeing as though he is a bird who hasnt been handled much in his past or present, this would be a challenge for sure. I will be working an 8-5 job and I hope I have the time he would need.
-stopping the feather plucking before it becomes a problem....I'm worried that the move (it'd be from MN to Oklahoma) would stress him out. I just have heard about how tricky greys are...I'd love some feedback.
-quarantine from my birds..how do I split up my time and do a good job with quarantine?
-intros with my birds..especially since he would be a larger bird. I know I should put them in a neutral area after at least a month of quarantine...but anything else I should know?
-I know this is always a controversial subject, but do you clip wings? I have my 2 free flight right now, but they are smaller birds. I just want to know what the general consensus is on your greys!
I just want to know people;s thoughts and if he sounds like he might be an okay fit for me or if you think I'd be in way over my head? I have read a bunch of the tabs on African Greys and am constantly researching! lol If you need to know more background by all means ask me!
Thanks everyone!!
Oh and here's pictures of him! i just wish I wasnt so far away otherwise I would visit him to see how untame he really is or if we had a connection. Have any of you been in a similar situation?
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?u...01838096&rm=148804d6dbdd4534&zw&sz=w1256-h555
I currently have two parrots: a sun conure and an IRN (and I love them to death)! I have been toying with the idea of adding a medium-large bird to my family for a few months already..and had originally thought that i would get one a few years from now. But an offer came up and now I can't stop thinking about it. haha!
I have always been intrigued by Greys--Especially after reading Alex and Me by Irene Pepperberg
Also, I am a big fan of adopting rather than buying from a breeder. That is how i got my current fids! Here is the email I had received from the lady who currently owns this Grey. His name is Ole.
"I got him about five years ago and he was at least 20 years old. My friend that worked at the MN Zoo in the aviation department bred African grays. Ole wouldn't breed with the females and seemed more of a pet type Despite not really being able to be handled. I know if he was someone's pet that spent time with him he would be. Since he is wild caught the person taking him would have to be aware of this factor. He says quite a few things and picks up new things in his new environment. He is well adjusted and I would include his cage and some supplies of course. He is currently on Harrison's organic pellet dry food and frozen mixed vegetables and various fruits daily. Use to also give him seeds in the mix but I haven't done that for a while. I will send you a picture via text today -that is his story and all the history that I am aware of. He has started a little bit of feather picking but it is not at all a problem yet"
Now there is no rush to get him or anything, she is willing to keep him as long as I would need to prepare so time isn't much of an issue. Here are some things im worried about:
-gaining his trust..seeing as though he is a bird who hasnt been handled much in his past or present, this would be a challenge for sure. I will be working an 8-5 job and I hope I have the time he would need.
-stopping the feather plucking before it becomes a problem....I'm worried that the move (it'd be from MN to Oklahoma) would stress him out. I just have heard about how tricky greys are...I'd love some feedback.
-quarantine from my birds..how do I split up my time and do a good job with quarantine?
-intros with my birds..especially since he would be a larger bird. I know I should put them in a neutral area after at least a month of quarantine...but anything else I should know?
-I know this is always a controversial subject, but do you clip wings? I have my 2 free flight right now, but they are smaller birds. I just want to know what the general consensus is on your greys!
I just want to know people;s thoughts and if he sounds like he might be an okay fit for me or if you think I'd be in way over my head? I have read a bunch of the tabs on African Greys and am constantly researching! lol If you need to know more background by all means ask me!
Thanks everyone!!
Oh and here's pictures of him! i just wish I wasnt so far away otherwise I would visit him to see how untame he really is or if we had a connection. Have any of you been in a similar situation?
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?u...01838096&rm=148804d6dbdd4534&zw&sz=w1256-h555
