New Gray, Georgie

[xkevinbondx]

Hello, everybody!

I am a first time owner (not really owner, didn't pay for him, really kind of rescued him from a previous caregiver charged with finding someone ELSE for the original owner) of an Congo African Gray parrot. I am going to need some help from seasoned Gray owners in the community as I welcome Georgie into my home and begin to interact with him.

(I think if the image here doesn't appear all you have to do is right-click OPEN IN NEW TAB/WINDOW)

Last night was our second night together, our first night he slept at the edge of my bed, in the morning I had delivered a large cage suitable for my new bud. Georgie is going to require a lot of good attention, fun and stimulation because he has developed some bad habits. I myself have been a happy, successful owner of a black pooch, having raised him from a pup and interacted with many other animals amicably. I've rescued many, rehabilitated a few, and fostered some as well.

A bit more about Georgie. The woman I adopted him from couldn't be sure that his name is actually even Georgie. He is roughly twenty something, it's believed he's in his early twenties. He has led an extremely transient life up until now. I expect him to be in my care for a very long time. Due to his transient life he has developed a bad habit of plucking. Around his legs he is bare, his chest has bare patches, and where the shoulders would be on a person, on his wings is where he has plucked the most. By my observation and the observation of my roommate, Georgie is a smart, sweet bird, and not at all aggressive. He IS, though, very skiddish. Quick movements make him panic, he begins breathing heavily, and will on occasion reel off and fly into something. I don't think he likes when the lights are out. Around my room I have string christmas lights strung, and after having killed the lights and those string lights he flew from the top of his cage (which he has still yet to venture INTO, choosing to remain on top where I have provided him with food and water and toys and paper, all of which he has indulged in) crashed into my record player and finally flew to my bed and landed next to me. He crawled up my leg and from the light of my laptop seemed comforted. I turned on the string lights again and the little guy spent the night sleeping cozily (or as cozy as I have seem him sleep) by my head at the end of my bed. This morning almost right after the sun came up he left my bed and headed to the top of his cage where he has been for about the last hour or so eating a couple peanuts, drinking water, preening himself (I wonder if he's plucking at all) and chirping, beeping, and hollering very loudly, louder and more vocal than i have seen him since I met him the night before last.

A few other things I can think are is that the woman I adopted him from informed me that he hates females. I am starting to think that was her own opinion based on her own experience because when my female roommate has interacted with him he seems to come to life and seems very intrigued by her. He'll become more vocal. Also, I have been playing music for him a ton since I've brought him home. Mostly jazz music a la Lester Young the famous saxophonist. I also started playing for him some M. Ward at which point I started playing the nearby ukulele. When I started playing the ukulele he seemed to really like it. So I killed the jukebox and played him a song of my own, singing, plucking the strings, and whistling all the way through. He seemed to LOVE it.

That's Georgie as far as I know him this morning. I'm hoping some of you can answer my questions about rehabilitating him properly and helping him become comfortable in my home and achieve his maximum potential.

First of all I am wondering what sort of feeding schedule to get him on. Right now he has a bowl filled with some cheap seed and peanuts I was given by the previous caregiver. This morning I intend to pick up some Zupreem feed. I mainly have provided him with this food in bulk to make him comfortable. But I know it's not the best for him. Also what combination of fresh fruit, veggies, and feed should I provide him with when he eats. He is eating a lot right now as I write this and I would like to quickly get him on a routine, healthy feeding schedule. He's so messy!

Finally, my approach so far has been one of mostly observing without touching or attempting to touch. I have been talking to him a lot and inviting my roommates in to talk with me in my room. I see that it's allowing him to get used to us and hearing us chatter and be cordial and friendly around him.

That's all for now. If anyone has any comments I'd greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

 

[Katiejayne]

Congratulation on your new grey unfortunately I'm new owner kt so can't offer much help but from what I've read on here before ur doing the right thing by allowing him to get comfortable with u before trying to touch him etc. also there's a few people on here who's greys won't settle in the dark so they use nightlight sorry similar to comfort them.
Sorry wasn't much help I'm sure someone with more knowledge be comment soon

 

[KeroRocks]

I give my grey a chop of Broccoli, Apples, Grapes, carrots, and Pasta. I leave it for a couple hours then remove it. Usually in the afternoon.
He has access to Zupreem and Harrisons pellets all the time. He seems to prefer the zupreme but I saw him snacking on the Harrisons.
I also have a bowl with a store bought parrot mix. It has mixed nuts, dried fruits, dried veggies, and a small amount of seeds.

I'm worried that he's not in a cage. Where is he when you leave the house? He should be in a cage when you leave the house. A bird can chew electrical wires etc. I also would cage him when you are sleeping. He's probably afraid because the cage is new. Sometimes you have to put them in it and let them get used to it for a few days before you let him out. His cage should be a safe comfortable place for him but if you don't let him get used to it he will be afraid of it.

 

[Zumaria]

Awww!! Congratulations! You've just made a new best friend

I have had two African greys. My current African Grey is the same as Georgie, very skiddish. I've had several weeks now and we are working on building up her confidence. I've found that doing some sort of training - at your stage even just synced head bobbing (get him to dance with you) - is really beneficial and I feel like we've upped our progress of growing trust. One on one interaction is really good. You're also socializing beyond you which is also really good. Keep it up! and keep it slow!

I do show Kero's concern though about the cage. If you're not home he should be put up unless being supervised by your roommate (i.e she is playing with him), also I wouldn't let him on the bed while you sleep (if i'm understanding your situation correctly), its very risky that you might accidentally hurt him or he flies and you squish him. Totally let him sleep in your room - but either in his big cage or a travel cage / sleeping cage.

Diet is most important. Switching from seeds to pellets is quite a task. I've had Jenga for almost a month now (Sunday!) and I sometimes catch her snacking on the Harrisons,and she does occasionally actually 'eat' the zupreem but if I don't put the seeds in there she will just go hungry until dinner and that's not healthy either. My tips are to crush up the pellets and keep some whole and add that to the seeds. As far as introducing veggies / fruits I always eat some in front of Jenga to show her that it's delish. Be super animated, if you don't feel like a fool you're not doing it right! More veggies than fruits. Birds can also be silly about texture / temp so try everything! hot, cold, warm, crushed, mixed, soaked, crumbled, moist, cooked into something else... scrambled eggs is always good for slipping healthy stuff into Also, add crushed egg shells to their diet sometime, its a good source of calcium.

Again, congratulations! Please don't hesitate to ask if you need something

 

[Zumaria]

Oh, and also if you haven't already learn the no-no's:

Chocolate
Caffeine
Human spit
Booze
Avocados