JanMarie

Thank you Katana, I appreciate your experience so much! I am so green at this and from the bottom of my heart want her to be happy and healthy. I'm glad I am not alone! Jan

Me again...Dolly hasn't had a bath in years....should I mist her while in the cage or just wait until she will come out then offer a shallow dish or shower? I don't want to traumatize her.

Hi Greywings...I will get Barbara Heidenrichs books...any particular one to start with, she has a few....going on Amazon now. Thank you!

Hi Birdhouse...the crouching and wing act seems to happen now when I am eating or have a snack at hand, her feathers are not fluffed (although she does do that occasionally to look ferocious?) I think she wants what we have and I have given her a bit of hard boiled egg that she took nicely from me....seriously it's the little things that make me so happy!

What exactly does crouching head forward wings slightly out to the side mean? When my Cockatiels did it they were excited to see me...Jan

Birdhouse...thank you! I have ordered several recommended books from Amazon. I would have done this PRIOR to getting Dolly but this was a take her now or she is going to the pound situation so we had to act fast. I will do as you say with the toys. I guess I wanted to her to have all the things she didn't all at once. I will take it slow and I am so glad to know that her chitters whistles answering machine beebs and SMOKE ALARM sounds are a good sign. I think the last owner must have burnt a lot of food. Everyone has been such a blessing on this site for someone like me. I don't feel alone in this journey.

Hi Jeff...Thank you...I am going to post my progress with Dolly.

I want to say thank you to everyone. I sincerely don't feel alone and cherish the warm welcome and all the wonderful advise. I really need you all! Jan

Hi Timbersmom! She is chirping and whistling now so that's good? I will go slow with her and let her call the shots. I found out she was purchased from a flea market pet store. oh boy. I can't imagine. I have always got my cockatiels from a breeder who lovingly raised them. I'm praying she feels the love.

Hi Katana...I am doing just what you said sitting and talking to her. We have an open floor plan so she can see into family room and kitchen all at the same time. I put a toy in her cage this morning (maybe it was too soon) and she seriously went into attack mode on me. Also while sitting and talking to her, she put her head down by the cage bars for scritches and when I slowly move to her she bites HARD...again maybe to soon? The previous owners mentioned that she wouldn't let them touch her either, Dolly would do the same thing. Is this a habit that is unbreakable? I laughed when I read "what have I done"...that is exactly the same thought I just had last night. She also just sits in the same spot on this rough thick perch until she eats....normal? She is making squeak and microwave noises now...even to me that's a good sign. I seriously have never been so insecure ever...I really really want her to be happy.

We just got Dolly home. Re-homed. She has been cage bound for many years. She is 7. Luckily she has NOT pulled her feathers out because she has been ignored for so long. The previous owners said she bites...she does. She wants me to scratch her head then she bites if you if you reach for her. I am talking gentle to her and I don't expect miracles but I don't know what to expect. She has every feather fluffed on her head and neck...this is bad right? I've ordered books and have been reading every post on this sight...and I'm sure I'm the only one with a NEW GREY that doesn't know what the heck they are doing..right? LOL I welcome all the help I can get to do right by her.

We just got Dolly home. Rehomed. She has been cage bound for many years. She is 7. Luckily she has NOT pulled her feathers out because she has been ignored for so long. The previous owners said she bites...she does. She wants me to scratch her head then she bites if you if you reach for her. I am talking gentle to her and I don't expect miracles but I don't know what to expect. She has every feather fluffed on her head and neck...this is bad right? I've ordered books and have been reading every post on this sight...and I'm sure I'm the only one with a NEW GREY that doesn't know what the heck they are doing..right? LOL I welcome all the help I can get to do right by her.

Hi...no we haven't brought her home, it was supposed to be last Friday. It will be this Monday now. Her owner was busy. AND...I know this grey has a few choice "F" words it likes to throw around...anyway of changing that or just try and incorporate new words...when people walk past her cage she yells "shut up F*%&$#!"YIKES ANY SUGGESTIONS! I know the previous owner thought it funny but I don't. JanMarie

Thank you everyone for your help! I love having the wonderful support for this journey. JanMarie

Hi...I'm new to the grey world...I have always had cockatiels so this is a big move for me. I will be getting a 7 year old grey this Friday who has been in her cage without any attention for months. She has had the same original owner from infantcy who says "that you must let the bird know who is in control" this statement really bothered me because I don't want to treat a sensitive intelligent bird ever like that...respect is what I think is needed besides love and lots of attention...How do I even begin with birdie? I am sure she will be very leery of me. Any advise on where to start with her? I want to do this right by her and not make it worse. I don't think she has been socialized as the previous owner wouldn't take her out of the cage because he said she doesn't like women and will bite, she may have been manhandled... I'm worried. HELP!!