Sexually mature male CAG question

[thekarens]

So, some of you know we had a male grey that died a few years ago at about the age of 14. Well, last year we adopted Corky, a DNA tested (we had the blood tests run) male CAG. We don't know his exact age, but somewhere between 10-15 years.

Corky has come a long way with us. He had previously lived in a dog crate for about 7 years and before that he was relegated to a storage room when his owner passed away. Since we've had him he will step up for my wife (when he feels like it) and allow her to give him scritches and he seeks her out. Me, he like to snort at like a pig, pin his eyes, fluff up and charge, but that's besides the point.

He's started a new behavior that I'm not sure what to do about. When I get home I let all the birds out (including Corky the terror.) Up until recently he would happily play on on the top of his cage where we have toys hanging. Now, he comes out of the cage and heads for underneath the couch. He's chewed a hole in the fabric underneath and climbs up in there and just stays.

To me it seems like nest building, but I thought that was more a girl thing. Maybe it's both? We never had that issue with Beau, our previous grey. I'm not sure what to do because I can't turn my back for a second without him crawling in under there and then I have to wait for Karen to get home to get him out because I value my fingers. I hate to leave him locked up even though he has a huge cage with lots of toys. It's not really "bothering" me to have him under the couch. I'm just not sure it's good to encourage that? Or maybe I shouldn't worry about it, if he's happy I should be fine?

 

[wrench13]

I wouldnt sit on the couch when he is in there - they are full of springs which compress when you sit on it. Odd behavior.

 

[thekarens]

I wouldnt sit on the couch when he is in there - they are full of springs which compress when you sit on it. Odd behavior.

That's not an issue. It's a sectional and he's on the side I don't sit on.

 

[plumsmum2005]

So, some of you know we had a male grey that died a few years ago at about the age of 14. Well, last year we adopted Corky, a DNA tested (we had the blood tests run) male CAG. We don't know his exact age, but somewhere between 10-15 years.

Corky has come a long way with us. He had previously lived in a dog crate for about 7 years and before that he was relegated to a storage room when his owner passed away. Since we've had him he will step up for my wife (when he feels like it) and allow her to give him scritches and he seeks her out. Me, he like to snort at like a pig, pin his eyes, fluff up and charge, but that's besides the point.

He's started a new behavior that I'm not sure what to do about. When I get home I let all the birds out (including Corky the terror.) Up until recently he would happily play on on the top of his cage where we have toys hanging. Now, he comes out of the cage and heads for underneath the couch. He's chewed a hole in the fabric underneath and climbs up in there and just stays.

To me it seems like nest building, but I thought that was more a girl thing. Maybe it's both? We never had that issue with Beau, our previous grey. I'm not sure what to do because I can't turn my back for a second without him crawling in under there and then I have to wait for Karen to get home to get him out because I value my fingers. I hate to leave him locked up even though he has a huge cage with lots of toys. It's not really "bothering" me to have him under the couch. I'm just not sure it's good to encourage that? Or maybe I shouldn't worry about it, if he's happy I should be fine?

Hi I feel that he is just being s*d parrot, mine is at times and unfortunately you are a prime target for naughtiness. Two possibilities come to mind if he won't play nice with you and that is try and block off the bottom to stop him accessing the couch (blankets rolled up, boxes, books) or he waits for Karen to come home. If you do manage to block off and still let him out is there anything he really, really likes that you can engage in with him, a positive, playing for example? CAG's are so intelligent so if it is possible to try to steer that to something else if possible. I understand if you are muttering under your breath "but you aren't here!" LOL GOOD LUCK