Your advice needed - adopting a 10 year old cag this saturday-want to do things right

[birdlover74]

Hi there - I am adopting a 10 year old CAG this Saturday. He comes from a very loving family who has had him 8 years but the husband just got a job where he travels from pennsylvania to texas frequently and they have two children under 4 so felt they wanted to do what was best for him and give him a home where he will get more attention and time out of cage. They say no behavioral problems, he's pretty mellow and laid back. Has travel alot. Original owner took him traveling on trips in their RV when he was young. The husband is the one the bird is most bonded to now but previous owner was female and he was bonded to her. That's a quick background, I need advice from experienienced Grey owners on what I should or shouldn't do the first few days/weeks. Do I leave him alone and the cage half covered? Do I sit near and talk to him? When do I try to get him to step up and come out? I just want to start out right with him and although I've had birds all my life they were parakeets and cockatiels this is my first parrot. Can you please give me words of wisdom? Thanks.

 

[MickeysMom]

My best advise would be to let him lead how fast things go.....

I would start by sitting next to the cage, if he is curious...maybe try petting through the bars....if he backs away, try offering treats....He'll let you know what he's comfortable with.

I would try having him step up, when you go to pick him up...it will give you an idea of whether or not he is comfortable enough for you to perhaps handle him from the start. Grey's are notoriously shy/guarded....so it may take some time. Then again he may decide you're the coolest thing ever and bond..... Junior is shy/standoffish with me.....but he bonded to hubby within days (he will fly to hubby and sit and groom him, and get scritches, and nuzzle hubbies neck, and talk like they're old friends) He will step up for me, and sometimes allow scritches...but much prefers hubby.

 

[MonicaMc]

Leave it up to the bird.

If he feels like coming out of the cage, allow him to come out.

It's a big change, so if he doesn't feel like coming out, give him a few days to settle in first.

If he's scared, it may help to put him in a quiet corner, maybe half cover the cage. If he's not, put him in an active area. Try and judge things by his behavior.


It would be a good idea to start out by sharing food with him, and if he's comfortable with you, sitting near him as you do your own thing. Watch his behavior and see if he's curious or not.

 

[KBEquine]

Greetings from a fellow Grey owner right down the road! (Carlisle).

Our Grey was naked-chested (plucked) when he arrived & stressed from losing his 1st owner (we got him from his 2nd owner, who took him in when his 1st owner of 8 years passed away). He was to be my bird. Fortunately, my husband really wanted an articulate speaking parrot (because THIS Grey is a man's bird & the two of them are great friends - and I'm pretty much the cook/housekeeper/maid, as far as the Grey is concerned).

As others have said - let the bird decide how fast to go. Our Grey would step either to hand or to a perch very quickly (in contrast, our cockatoo still won't step up to me, although it has only been a couple months).

Also, there is a rescue in Harrisburg where you can get good advice, if you like. PM me for contact information.

Best of luck and enjoy your Grey!