Say hello to Kinji the CAG

[Featheredsamurai]

Now that I consider Rosie completely rehabilitated mentally and physically, and she is truly doing amazing, I pondered on the idea of adding another flock member. Although I was expecting to wait a few years and buy a weaned baby I still kept a eye out.

This week I had been talking to a local couple through email. They posted their Congo African gray and blue and gold macaw, on Craigslist to look for a new home. After screening the emails for good one's I got to come in for a interview on Thursday to meet Kinji. They are a wonderful couple who have had Kinji for 20 years(Kinj's whole life), it was great to talk to them but I'll admit I felt they would pick the person who owned a walnut farm lol. I wasn't expecting a answer until Sunday, but Friday morning I got an email that they had picked me to be Kenji's new caretaker. We talked on the phone and they drove over with Kenji to get him settled in. It was very sad, I can tell they are heart broken that they are unable to keep their fids.

One thing I am elated about is that his parronts took him to the same vet as me, so they have all his records, and that he's grown up eating Harrison's pellets and healthy foods.

We just ended our first day together, we didn't interact much but each interaction got better and better. Mostly I just talked to him and let him know everything was ok. When he started to talk and whistle, and do his impressive blue and gold impression, I offered him one of his lafeaber nutri-an cakes and he gladly took it from my hand. I am very excited, but I know it will take time for Kenji to open up for me fully and trust me. I adopted Kenji because I know I'll give him a great home, but I am also happy that I'll be able to keep Rosie and Kenji in the same room so they have company if I am out and about. Rosie enjoys having another parrot in the same room, as long as they don't get on her cage, and since Kenji is coming from living with Zachery the blue and gold I think he will do well with the change.

If any African gray parronts would like to throw in any tips please feel free to do so.

*edit*

I forgot to post his photo. I took this when I went to visit him

 

[OOwl]

Oh, that is such a nice story! I have a Galah and Grey, and they have grown up together. Although they aren't preening buddies, they are (and have been) caged next to each other their entire lives (both came to me, a year apart, as babies). They repeat each other's best sayings and copy one another's behaviors. You'll love having that combo of parrots. My Galah is my comedian; the Grey is the intellectual. You get just about everything parrots have to offer with this combination.

Unlike my Galah, who chews wood like he's getting paid to do it, my Grey more prefers puzzle toys. Get out your credit card, because they will master every foraging toy made. My Grey can figure them out in minutes and empty them faster than I can load them. You get super creative with making some, and rotating your hoard of devices. Just keep your Grey busy. He looks perfect. So happy you got a well adjusted, happy guy. Heartfelt congratulations!

 

[tab_xo]

Oh wow, congratulations!! Looking forward to reading stories about him!

 

[Featheredsamurai]

@OOwl
That's great to know! Rosie isn't a big chewer, but she is a very social girl and loves seeing new things and going new places. She also doesn't even bat an eye if I completely reorganize my room. I expect Kenji will be a little shy and prefer one on one interaction.

I'll definitely keep him busy, I am going to order some things for him from my safe bird store. They said he is pretty good with new toys, he is worried for the first few days then starts playing with them. It's amazing how different this will be from Rosie. Rosie is my baby, I feel like she was reborn when she came into my life and we have such a amazing bond. If Kenji and I share even half of that bond it will be incredible. I'm very excited to see we're we will be in half a year.

@tab

Thanks Tab you know me. I'm always up for sharing Rosie's stories and Kenji will be no different.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

This morning Kenji has been talking and whistling away. He also did his macaw call then said "whats wrong, sorry".

He is really great at taking food from my hand. And I gave him a big fright this morning when I walked over with a newspaper to put under his cage, but I made up for it by giving him a piece of a walnut.

 

[Grinder]

Congrats on your new CAG - that's a terrific picture of him. It's wonderful that his former owners picked you.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

Congrats on your new CAG - that's a terrific picture of him. It's wonderful that his former owners picked you.

Thankyou so much

 

[Jtbirds]

Congrats on your new feathered friend, the only advice I can offer is if you find a toy that he loves make sure he always has that kind of toy. My African grey always needed to have a cardboard toy or she would start plucking again. So cardboard boxes were not wasted at all in my home.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

Congrats on your new feathered friend, the only advice I can offer is if you find a toy that he loves make sure he always has that kind of toy. My African grey always needed to have a cardboard toy or she would start plucking again. So cardboard boxes were not wasted at all in my home.

He didn't come with many toys, but he has a foraging toy he likes and he is said to like coconut. I just ordered a planet pleasure toy for him that I hope he will like. It has coconut, bamboo, cuttle bone, oyster she'll, and leather

 

[JerseyWendy]

Kenji has undoubtedly found THE best home possible! I am SO very happy for you, Ashley!!! There is little doubt in my mind that Kenji will trust you soon enough, and that you, Rosie and Kenji will be VERY happy together.

 

[SandyBee]

That's so awesome, congrats!!!