New African Grey, did I do the right thing?

[benlaus]

Well I picked up a Congo African Grey 3 or 4 days ago from her owner who was moving back to his home country. Jasmine, is 6 years old and has a light feather chewing issue, which I presume is from the previous owner feeding her a bad mix of food and not bathing her, but she was offered to me for $500. She can talk and is quite the sweetheart. I realize that it may take them a while to get used to you but I've had the cage open with a perch on the door for the past few days when I was home. I've fed her treats, played her music, and tried giving her scritches, which she is nervous about, but enjoys. I've tried saying up a few times, and she repeats saying up but does not want to go onto my hand, which is entirely understandable. Whenever I attempt this I try to give her space and be cautious about her and her surroundings. Today, when I briefly went to the rest room I came back and she was on the top of her cage. I put my hand out and said up, and she suprisingly came onto my hand. Now I know it probably would have been best to just put her back into her cage, I brought her to my desk (which is fairly close to her cage) and let her explore me and my hand, as well as my desk. She was very nervous but I gave her a few treats and she seemed to calm down a bit, but she would occasionally give me a growl (or some sort of deep vocalization) when she got a bit too uncomfortable. Eventually (after about 5-10 minutes) she fluttered off my hand onto the floor. I let her roam around a little bit before attempting to pick her up. She once again climbed onto my hand with no complaints. I decided it was best to put her back into her cage, but on my way there she flew again except this time into the TV ( I hope it didn't hurt her). I had to get her out of there so I stuck my hand out and she climbed up but immediatly began flapping her wings which made me have to hold her chest with my other hand so that she wouldnt fly and hurt herself. I put her back into the cage and gave her a treat. I left her alone for about 30 minutes before I approached her and talked to her some more, she didn't seem any more nervous than usual and I gave her another treat. Did I handle the situation properly? Was it okay for her to be out of her cage so early?

 

[faeryphoebe1]

It sounds like you're doing great! You're being patient and sensitive to her needs and watching her body language. The trust will come with time. Congratulations on your new friend.

 

[benlaus]

Was it okay to take her out? I'm worried that attempting to do so will only further trust issues, and its been about an hour now and shes picking at her feathers.

 

[MonicaMc]

I would say that for the most part, you did pretty well! If she flies off scared, don't chase after her! Don't run over to her! But do calmly talk to her, and if she doesn't appear too stressed, slowly walk over to her and continue talking calmly.

If she shows she's getting nervous or afraid, see if you can return her to her cage. If she steps up for you, try and interact with her! Give her treats, see if she likes scritches, feed her food, etc. Make it a positive experience!



The more she gets comfortable with her new environment and person, the more she'll open up! It took me a few weeks before I could even get my new conure off of her cage - if hesitantly. Over three months before she started accepting my hands enough to step up onto them from her cage. Before then, she'd bite the snot out of my hands or arms! We're now into the fourth month and she happily climbs aboard! No longer hesitant but very eager! And if I have a dish of food in my hand that she really likes, she will make a mad dash down the front of my shirt to get to the food! First time she did it, I laughed a little because she would not stray from my shoulder (we haven't gotten to the part of her stepping off my shoulder onto my hand - but I can lean against something and she'll climb onto it) very much unless it was to go back to her cage.

Jayde has a huge enthusiasm for food! She has a great appetite and simply loves food! I just never thought she'd rush down my front to get to a bowl of food! She's usually very cautious and nervous about new things so it was a bit of a surprise! Also, she usually just waited for me to put the food into her cage before going to eat it, rather than being impatient!




You do need to keep in mind that your grey is in a new home. New stresses. It would be a good idea to take her to an avian vet to make sure she's healthy, give her a good soaking bath and try to distract her from feather destructive behavior.

 

[bob1]

I (rookie mistake) took Chico out on the first day I got him and we have never had a bond or trust yet (knock on wood). I feel as long as you do it in moderation a little hand time is fine.

 

[benlaus]

Jasmine hasn't stepped foot out of her cage again. I'd like to take her to a vet just for a checkup but since I can't even get her out, what should I do? I think I may have scared her too much on her first time out

 

[MonicaMc]

It may set you back, but if a vet visit is required, you just gotta do it. You can try bribing her out with treats and put her into a small cage or carrier.

 

[benlaus]

Update: well she's doing better now, she likes to come out of her cage and climb around the outside of it, and she does respond to step up after I give her some time to look around. Am I pushing her too much by taking her out of her cage too often? i.e. will taking her out stress her out too much? Or is she just getting used to her surroundings more quickly than the average african grey? She seems to like sitting on the back of my desk chair and watch me while I work.

 

[benlaus]

For those of you interested, here is a picture of Jasmine

 

[MikeyTN]

I (rookie mistake) took Chico out on the first day I got him and we have never had a bond or trust yet (knock on wood). I feel as long as you do it in moderation a little hand time is fine.

I actually train most of my birds from day one! But it just depends on much experience and confidence you've got to train one from day one. But if your not sure and not know how, its best to take it slow.

 

[Zumaria]

Oh my gosh! I just brought my new darling CAG home (her name is Jenga) and her feathers looks exactly like Jasmine's!

Think they are just chewing on them? Jenga's flight feathers look a bit rough too. How are Jasmine's?

Jenga came home yesterday (Saturday) and I've been moving her around the house with me. She does protest step up a bit (sometimes bites), but eventually does it. We've been trying out new food - she had a BLAST with the pomegranate. She told me today she needed a bath

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yOPafsQI80]Jenga bathing - YouTube[/ame]

 

[antoinette]

Jasmine is gorgeous
You are doing a fantastic job, time does heal

Keep up the great work !!!

 

[benlaus]

Oh my gosh! I just brought my new darling CAG home (her name is Jenga) and her feathers looks exactly like Jasmine's!

Think they are just chewing on them? Jenga's flight feathers look a bit rough too. How are Jasmine's?

Jenga came home yesterday (Saturday) and I've been moving her around the house with me. She does protest step up a bit (sometimes bites), but eventually does it. We've been trying out new food - she had a BLAST with the pomegranate. She told me today she needed a bath

Jenga bathing - YouTube

Yes that is her chewing from what I understand. Jasmine is still chewing, shes not pulling her feathers out but occasionally she will remove part of a feather. She seems to love chewing paper so I made a makeshift toy with a paper towel roll and printer paper, and she loves it, but she still chews. I'm guessing a vet visit will give us more information about why shes still chewing? Her stress level around me is significantly less than it was when me and my girlfriend got her a few days ago, but she isn't taking kindly to my girlfriend at the moment, she will still nip at her when she tries to pick her up. Is there anything I can do to show Jasmine that my girlfriend is okay and trustworthy. Jasmine was intended as a gift for her, as shes always wanted an african grey and I want her to be able to handle her dream bird. What can I do to get her more accustomed to her? She spends tons of time with her and always talks with her but she will only step up onto me. My girlfriend loves Jasmine but she's getting frustrated that Jasmine took such an easy liking to me and not to her. She has been bit HARD a few times on occasion, while Jasmine has only ever given me a semi hard nip. She gives her treats, talks to her softly, and spends all of her free time with her and it kills me to see her an the bird not getting along. On a side note, it also seems that the previous owners used a spray bottle to discipline Jasmine, and she shouts NO NO NO STOP JASMINE whenever I bring it near her. She does desperately need a bath, what do you guys suggest I do to get her clean?

 

[Birdman666]

Feather picking with CAGS is a bit more complicated than just a diet and bathing issue. (Though that is a component of it.)

These are flock birds, with very high IQ's, and that can be on the nervous and neurotic side... In the wild they have lots of other birds around, and lots of stimulation. In captivity, they tend to become isolated.

It's funny, but the pluckers I've worked with are so night and day different than the bird I raised from an egg, (with a flock of amazons and macaws... )

Introduce things to him slowly and gradually. Gradually get him used to changes. Too much change, too fast may cause him to pluck...

Also, these birds require stimulation, boredom and perch potato-ing don't do well for these guys. Foraging toys, and things that stimulate him usually help. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. Just a box in the bottom of the cage, with paper to shred, and foot toys, and treats hidden inside. Try to stimulate his natural curiosity.

A lot of the pluckers I worked with simply didn't know how to play, or were so spooked by the toys that they became neurotic and chewed themselves.

Introduce them to toys, and play. I used to do this on my lap... The bird would see it many times, and become comfortable with it, before it was put in his cage.

 

[MonicaMc]

Jasmine will require training and socialization to get along with more people.



As for bathing, here's some bathing techniques you can try....

• Try luke-warm water
• Try cold water
• Try ice-cold water
• Try a spray bottle
• Try a plant mister
• Try in the sink with the water running or just some water in the bottom
• Try in the sink with the sprayer
• Try in the tub with some water in the bottom
• Try a casserole dish or similar with some water
• Try the dish with ice
• Try the dish with foot toys
• Try the dish with some leafy greens like endive or other types of lettuces that may create a "natural" bowl
• Try the dish with a vacuum cleaner
• Try in the shower with you - watching you having a blast getting wet!
• Try dancing the bird into the shower with the water already going
• Try spritzing yourself, and have fun doing it! Then spritz the bird
• Try outside in an empty cage large enough to spread wings during a nice rain shower
• Try outside in an empty cage using the hose with a mist/shower attachment

 

[Zumaria]

All of the above suggestions are good for baths, as far as getting her to like your girlfriend...that may be a long hard road especially with you in the picture. Your girlfriend will just have to invest extra time trying to bond with her. Food, singing, talking (have her read her a book) etc. also, you could show Jasmine that your girlfriend is OK (hugs/touching) and has your approval