Post by scook20 on Jun 15, 2007 12:25:31 GMT -7
So I haven't been on in a while and I just wanted to write about how proud I am of my little Grey Sammie.
First off, he has never been away from home. Whenever we went on vacation (for a week at the most) he has always had someone come and take care of him. But this past month my fiance and I went to Ireland, Scotland and England for three weeks. Months before hand I was fretting taking my little guy to someone else's house even though I knew he was going to be in good hands (the woman I left him with used to be the president of our local Hookbill Association and has three macaws and a cockatoo of her own). I was worried that he was going to start plucking or get really stressed out with all the commotion from the other birds. Well when we returned she said how wonderful he did. He even became good friends with a the VERY large birds she had (including a Hyacinth). He even gained weight (which he needs to- just a little)....
We also just moved to a different city and he has gotten comfortable in our new place already. We have been here for only three days and he is already walking around like he owns the place =)
So all this talk about African Greys being horrible with change and new environments I think is somewhat of a myth. When he was there he was in a different cage with new toys and he was fine. I think sometimes we as owners (myself included) are almost too cautious with our birds. I'm not saying put them into a new situation everyday- they have to have some sort of routine. But ever since all these changes have occurred I have seen Sammie blossom as far as confidence goes.
As usual he never ceases to amaze me.....as I'm sure all of your greys do.....
First off, he has never been away from home. Whenever we went on vacation (for a week at the most) he has always had someone come and take care of him. But this past month my fiance and I went to Ireland, Scotland and England for three weeks. Months before hand I was fretting taking my little guy to someone else's house even though I knew he was going to be in good hands (the woman I left him with used to be the president of our local Hookbill Association and has three macaws and a cockatoo of her own). I was worried that he was going to start plucking or get really stressed out with all the commotion from the other birds. Well when we returned she said how wonderful he did. He even became good friends with a the VERY large birds she had (including a Hyacinth). He even gained weight (which he needs to- just a little)....
We also just moved to a different city and he has gotten comfortable in our new place already. We have been here for only three days and he is already walking around like he owns the place =)
So all this talk about African Greys being horrible with change and new environments I think is somewhat of a myth. When he was there he was in a different cage with new toys and he was fine. I think sometimes we as owners (myself included) are almost too cautious with our birds. I'm not saying put them into a new situation everyday- they have to have some sort of routine. But ever since all these changes have occurred I have seen Sammie blossom as far as confidence goes.
As usual he never ceases to amaze me.....as I'm sure all of your greys do.....