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Aug 8, 2005 6:32:45 GMT -7
Post by Andy on Aug 8, 2005 6:32:45 GMT -7
Please help we have a african grey however he loves me but my wife and daughters can't go near him as he bites them.They have done nothing to harm him so why is this.?
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Aug 8, 2005 8:10:28 GMT -7
Post by Jane on Aug 8, 2005 8:10:28 GMT -7
This is something which comes up a lot. Greys will often favour a particular person, sometimes even one gender over the other, and they will bite the other people in the household. Sometimes this is due to jealousy, or it can be a defensive/protective thing. The body language will tell you when he is likely to bite so that your wife and daughters can avoid it in the first place but if they do get bitten they must try not to react because this will encourage him.
Jane
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Meliawen
Weaned Todd
Joined: June 2005
Posts: 52
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Aug 9, 2005 7:51:57 GMT -7
Post by Meliawen on Aug 9, 2005 7:51:57 GMT -7
That's what I keep telling my fiance and his daughter. Every time Chivalry bites them they jump and yell at him. I keep telling them that if they react it will only make him continue to bite.
But on that topic, is there a way you can enforce the word "no" when they aren't on your hand?
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Aug 9, 2005 9:19:25 GMT -7
Post by lidiam on Aug 9, 2005 9:19:25 GMT -7
You might try giving him the 'evil eye' in conjunction with a strong 'No!'. Eye contact is very important to flock birds like CAGs, and can be used to enhance bonding as well as to emphasise what you're trying to convey to the bird (such as, "don't bite"). If he persists and bites, put him back in his cage so he associates biting with being put back there. Don't punish him though, or speak angrily with him, 'punishment' doesn't help (or work). As Jane said, the reactions to his bites by other people are reinforcing his bad behaviour. CAGs are drama queens and the more reaction they get out of you, the more they will do whatever behaviour triggers that reaction. They are awkward little buggers! Lidia
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Aug 10, 2005 5:20:38 GMT -7
Post by andy on Aug 10, 2005 5:20:38 GMT -7
Thank you all for the advice.
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Aug 20, 2005 12:09:36 GMT -7
Post by JK on Aug 20, 2005 12:09:36 GMT -7
I know I keep doing something wrong. I get bit all the time from Irma in less she is in her room. Drew blood twice this morning, makes me so sad and disapointed in myself that I can't get it figured out.
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Aug 30, 2005 12:31:35 GMT -7
Post by Deneen on Aug 30, 2005 12:31:35 GMT -7
I know it does hurt your feelings and makes you feel like you are doing something wrong. Rosey was really mean to me this weekend by trying to bite me every chance she got.... I kept thinking what am I doing differently??? I know with her she is testing me for a reaction because she knows exactly what she is doing... Because she says I am sorry.... I was her best friend last night because I gave her pasta.... Five year old CAG... It is her way or no way at all with her.. ;D Plus with Rosey, the family consisted of Mom, Dad and two kids and the only one that interacted with her was the Dad... So she is very leary of me but that is getting better daily... I just have to learn that she does not want to be with me all the time...
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Aug 31, 2005 7:04:59 GMT -7
Post by Jane on Aug 31, 2005 7:04:59 GMT -7
I think this is very true actually. Mitzi will sometimes want to be out having a cuddle or sitting on my lap, other times she just wants to do her own thing and just sit quietly in her cage or preen.
Jane
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Aug 31, 2005 11:17:21 GMT -7
Post by Deneen on Aug 31, 2005 11:17:21 GMT -7
Now last night she flew off her cage and walked over to the dining room chair, crawled up my leg into my lap for the second night in a row she ate supper with us and was nippling off of my plate. My boyfriend is amazed... Not really being around birds at all... He said, you treat that bird like a human being... I said she is... ;D
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Aug 31, 2005 11:35:45 GMT -7
Post by lidiam on Aug 31, 2005 11:35:45 GMT -7
I was once accused by an ex of loving Joshua more than I loved 'people'. I said I loved Joshua more than some people and as much as others!
Lidia
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Aug 31, 2005 14:20:30 GMT -7
Post by Jet on Aug 31, 2005 14:20:30 GMT -7
:we just got Fred an african grey this morning and i am a little intimidated by him.I,m hoping in time it will get better.He goes to my husband better but i will keep trying. Jan
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debdans
Just Hatched
Joined: August 2005
Posts: 7
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Aug 31, 2005 20:36:00 GMT -7
Post by debdans on Aug 31, 2005 20:36:00 GMT -7
I am going through Jojo is my first bird did have a cocktail years back. He has been with me about 3 1/2 months spent first 2 scared would not come out of cage on his own and did not play. Would bite me a lot and Dan Husband a little getting him in and out of cage. In last 2 weeks he has come a long way. Crossed the bed 1/2 way tonight to let me pet his head a first, Hew came to Dan part way the 4th week, Jojo was a tottaly plucked bald bird from abuse Abandonded in a 2 foot high and wide cage no toys and petting, It took 2 weeks for him to even look at a toy. So hang in there that can get better. Jojo will kill for Peanut butter in a spoon or P butter cup but remove most of the chocolate, and that has made him come part way if he wants his treat he comes if not no treat. In 2 days he came for P butter, But has been months and he finialy came for a petting his head only, any father and he nips. Deb
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Sept 24, 2005 17:11:47 GMT -7
Post by Vega8342 on Sept 24, 2005 17:11:47 GMT -7
Hello my name is Josh.I am 17 years old. I want to get an african grey.I was wandering what is the best way not to make an african grey bit you or make him not trust you. im new to these birds so any advise will be helpful my SN is vega8342 so im me anytime thank u very much.
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Sept 25, 2005 1:31:41 GMT -7
Post by Jane on Sept 25, 2005 1:31:41 GMT -7
Josh There is some info in the FAQ section which should be of interest. African Greys are intelligent birds and if you are straightforward, gentle and caring with them they will respond and form a rewarding relationship. They can be strong willed but a baby will look for guidance from you as you will be replacing the role of the parents in the wild. This means that the use of positive training (rewarding never punishing) from an early age will help to develop and strengthen this bond.
Jane
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chloebird
Baby Bird
Chloe without a cause
Joined: November 2005
Posts: 15
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Nov 14, 2005 19:59:23 GMT -7
Post by chloebird on Nov 14, 2005 19:59:23 GMT -7
I just joined this forum a few days ago (got my CAG a month ago -- 12 months old). It's very helpful to read the posts about biting on here, and even helps me to count my blessings a bit. My grey is basically very sweet-tempered, and shy. The thing is, Chloe likes to be petted a lot -- my friend says she acts like a cat being petted, obviously loving it so much.
But what strikes me as a bit strange is that, occassionally, while sitting on my hand with her neck and head feathers fluffed as if she's very comfortable, and her grinding her beak and looking very relaxed, sometimes when I slowly go to pet her head, she'll out-of-the-blue give me a bite instead. Not a hard bite, but a definite warning bite. It doesn't matter how softly I'm speaking to her, or how gently I reach toward her. Even though she absolutely loves to be petted most of the time, sometimes, she will simply have none of it, no sir! Is it what it seems like: a kind of human dignity? That's all I can guess. She's simply made up her mind, and BECAUSE she's made up her mind, she won't allow it. Self-determination in pure form from a bird! ;D
Everyone says to watch for the signs that your grey is going to bite, but she gives me the opposite signs -- those of enjoyment -- then without warning, bites.
Well, in any case, I know what to do: just respect her wishes when she warn-bites.
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