frostbug
Baby Bird
Joined: June 2017
Posts: 22
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Post by frostbug on Jun 27, 2017 3:52:45 GMT -7
Hi all I'm new here but have really injoyed reading all about other people's birds.
I have recently brought a 3 year old AG who has had it kinda rough she was dropped accidently by a man (so dislikes men) then her owner dyed suddenly (which started her plucking) then went from being handled a lot to none at all for afew months ( was moved around abit) then sold off to me and this is just what I've been told about.
So needless to say I knew she was going to take a lot of time and love. It's been about 2 months and she will come out of cage to me loves scratchs wants to be with me all the time.
My problems are she's a little hand shy so step up is abit pain full for my arms unless I wear sleeves. She's still quite nippy I've tried telling her no stop it but she just mimics me.
I also can't get her to eat anything other than seeds pellets apple or walnuts won't even look at anything alse I'm worried she's missing out on important things she needs in her diet
She is still plucking her chest is no longer completely bare chested but I'm worryed she will pull the new feathers.
She also won't have anything to do with my partner and daughter I'm hoping these will all come right in time but any help would be much appreciated.
She really is a sweet little bird
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Post by Jane on Jun 27, 2017 10:03:35 GMT -7
Hello and welcome to the forum.
They do often choose a favourite person and have a different relationship with each family member. You can try getting your partner and daughter to offer her treats but Greys can be very determined about who can do what with them. Some will chose a favourite person and won't allow anyone else to feed them or touch them.
She might be reluctant to step on your hand because she is uncertain about the security of it so make sure your hand is as firm and solid looking as possible with all your fingers held tightly together. It is good she is eating pellets because it can be difficult to get them to eat pellets. Offer her veggies when you are eating them.
Jane
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patch
Weaned Todd
Joined: June 2017
Posts: 28
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Post by patch on Jun 28, 2017 15:18:51 GMT -7
Hey frostbug, you have inherited a lot of problems from other people's poor treatment of your girl! Patience, patience, patience! Greys are quite jumpy and nervous, especially in new surroundings. Put her cage where she can observe the family's interaction, but not in traffic, where she must constantly be on alert! Most Greys will begin to talk more when you seem to ignore them and go about your business as if they aren't there. About trying new foods, keep offering healthful selections, it may take many tries. If she sees YOU enjoying a treat of fruit or vegetable, she may be more inclined to try some. Watch for her eyes to "pin", a sure sign of pleasure!
In our house, the rules are: no sudden or loud noises (no yelling!); no sudden moves; when we leave or return, we acknowledge the bird (and each other). You are doing a wonderful thing to give the poor girl a chance at a happy life after all she has been through.
Greys live very long lives, like humans, and are quite adaptable. Good luck!
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Post by Adele on Jul 11, 2017 20:35:37 GMT -7
Has there been any progress? Sometimes it takes them months or even years to come around. If she is biting when you try to get her to step up, I would try a different technique. You want to avoid being bitten. That hurts a lot, and it makes us flinch and react, which might be entertaining for the birds.
Maybe try giving her a big nut, like an almond or walnut, then while she is holding the nut, have her step up to your hand. Then she won't have a beak available to bite.
I definitely would try learning their body language. If they don't want to get picked up and you put your hand close, their pupils will get small and often my guys fluff the backs of their necks. That is their initial warnings. If I don't listen, they will fluff their whole bodies and start side-stepping or backing away. At that point, I have to get a treat to get them to step up, or I leave them alone until they are ready to come to me.
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ruby
Just Hatched
Joined: July 2017
Posts: 7
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Post by ruby on Jul 11, 2017 21:19:29 GMT -7
Hi, It is great that you are rescuing this lovely girl. You just need to be patient and give her lots of room to adjust to new surroundings. Also she will have to learn to trust you completely. My family rescued an Amazon that had been rehomed so many times that when we took him for toe trimming and clipping he would stop all interacting and cower in the back of his cage for a few days. We went on a vacation and boarded him at a local pet shop where he'd been left several times before we took him home with us. When he realized we were taking him there he let out a cry that sounded like a human infant crying. It was heart breaking. We'd left our other eight parrots there with him so he had familiar company while we were away. Once we came back brought him back home he became a different fellow. He begun to climb down from his cage and walk all around the house like the king of the castle. It is like he knows that he has a forever home now and is very confident. That only took about five years, a one week vacation and a return to the same home. I guess you can tell we are all about rescuing since we have accumulated 8 birds. Between my Sister and I we now have nine parrots. I have One Grey mine, two Quakers, and two parakeets. My sister has one blue crown conure, one Yellow Crowned Amazon, and two more parquets. Three of these birds are rescues.
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ruby
Just Hatched
Joined: July 2017
Posts: 7
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Post by ruby on Jul 11, 2017 21:36:39 GMT -7
Hi, It is great that you are rescuing this lovely girl. You just need to be patient and give her lots of room to adjust to new surroundings. Also she will have to learn to trust you completely. My family rescued an Amazon that had been rehomed so many times that when we took him for toe trimming and clipping he would stop all interacting and cower in the back of his cage for a few days. We went on a vacation and boarded him at a local pet shop where he'd been left several times before we took him home with us. When he realized we were taking him there he let out a cry that sounded like a human infant crying. It was heart breaking. We'd left our other eight parrots there with him so he had familiar company while we were away. Once we came back brought him back home he became a different fellow. He begun to climb down from his cage and walk all around the house like the king of the castle. It is like he knows that he has a forever home now and is very confident. That only took about five years, a one week vacation and a return to the same home. I guess you can tell we are all about rescuing since we have accumulated 8 birds. Between my Sister and I we now have nine parrots. I have One Grey mine, two Quakers, and two parakeets. My sister has one blue crown conure, one Yellow Crowned Amazon, and two more parquets. Three of these birds are rescues.
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ruby
Just Hatched
Joined: July 2017
Posts: 7
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Post by ruby on Jul 11, 2017 21:40:09 GMT -7
oops! Don't know how I posted the same comments twice but will get it figured out eventually so I don't make those errors again.
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patch
Weaned Todd
Joined: June 2017
Posts: 28
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Post by patch on Jul 12, 2017 15:46:31 GMT -7
Adele is right about "if I don't listen". She's not talking about hearing, she means watch for body language. Parrots will generally always warn before they bite. I've had birds for 40 years, my Grey is 15 years old, and I still get bitten regularly. It's MY fault. I will be in a hurry, wanting him to go into his cage so I can leave, or wanting him to station on his perch when I have work to do in the kitchen.
You need to tune into what HE wants. Also, my bird's cage is his castle, and things you can do with him out of the cage are NOT permissible when he in his territory. Fingers, and especially, faces should not be in or too near his home when he is in residence!
Good luck and remember to have PATIENCE!
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frostbug
Baby Bird
Joined: June 2017
Posts: 22
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Post by frostbug on Jul 13, 2017 2:50:04 GMT -7
Thank you for all ur advice and interest I've found this site so help full. I bairly get bitten now she's becoming a real sweet heart still only likes me but let my partner give her a scratch for the first time today he was amazed at how soft she is. Has slowed down on her feather plucking and finally has some soft down feathers growing on her chest Doesn't like to be in her cage tho still plucks but now only when she's put away so when I'm at work or night. Using walnuts as a treat food. Has become very chatty .
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