danmcq

Sweet Anise you mean? If so it is perfectly fine for your Grey.

African Greys go through personality changes as they age. The changes predominately take place in the first 5 years of their life. I can not count the posts received on this forum from new Grey owners wondering why their cuddle muffin baby all of a sudden is no longer that compliant little feather pillow they brought home at 12 to 20 week old baby. They thought they had somehow just done everything right and they had socialized and raised their baby in just a few months to a point they thought they would not experience the behavioral issues read about in books and online forums.....WRONG!!!!! This important information is not really covered in the books or online articles most seek out to be prepared for their new Grey. Why this is not common in these resources really baffles me. Due to the unsuspecting owner wondering what is happening with their baby Grey. Hopefully, by reviewing the age and behavior changes below. You will not be surprised to find your Grey doing and acting like a normal Grey growing up in a wild flock where they reside with their parents up to age 2 and then continue to learn from a larger flock of 100 or more until they reach sexual maturity at around 5 years of age. These magnificent birds have a life span of up to 50 or 60 years. It is perhaps easier to think of how a human ages and learns. Those first 5 years are the formative years, like a human child. These first years will determine their mental, physical, personality and life coping skills for the rest of their many decades of life. Changes to expect timeline: Months 4 to 6 - They will have Black Eyes, blackish coloring on the ends of their tail feathers and most will be fairly docile, cuddly, watching your every move, depend on you like a baby child ( as they are actually), make baby sounds and normally not seem to have a will of their own. They are making contact calls, learning some whistles etc. Enjoy these precious months with your "Baby". Some Greys may even start talking as early as 4 months old. TAGs are known for this as the seem to mature at this stage faster than CAGs. Depending on how they were brought up and socialized by the breeder. They may be stand offish, growl, scream and yes bite when you first bring them home. Only you can tell this by watching them closely the first few days and noting their comfort with the new cage, home surroundings and people there. Go slow and don't try to force yourself on them. It is all about building their trust in you and their new home. Patience is the key here. You can lose trust quickly if you push yourself on them and experience a set back in how long it may take to get their full trust. Some may just be a friendly cuddle muffin the day you bring them home. Each bird and circumstance is different. There is no cookie cutter concept that fits each Grey. They are all individuals with different upbringing and experiences they bring with them. One note on the beak. It is the way they learn and test everything around them. A soft beaking is just their way of feeling things, letting you know they love you and maybe want you to stop what your doing. Soft or even firm beaks are NOT a bite. They should have fledged or are fledging to build those flight skills, coordination, confidence and Neural pathways that will remain with them the rest of their lives. I can not stress enough the importance of a bird being allowed to properly fledge. It does not mean the breeder allowed a flight or two before clipping their wings. That is NOT fledging. Fledging is learning not just that they can actually fly. It means they learn how to control lift, turns, slowing down, hovering, good landing spots and bad landing spots. They also learn what windows are and will not fly into them once they know they exist. If possible, do not allow the breeder to clip your birds wings. They were made to fly and their entire cardio vascular system, brain and self confidence is all linked to this wonderful capability only birds have. It is their natural instinct, keeps them safe and from harm by other critters like dogs and cats....It is what they were made to do. It is also almost unheard of for a flighted bird to pluck. 7 to 12 - Their eyes are lightening now to an iris color slowly changing from dark to silver. They will start trying to let you know when they really do not want to do something by running away, avoiding your hand and not listening to commands such as step up. They will normally just go a head and comply though. They are still fairly docile, not as cuddly (atleast not for as long) and are exploring on their own. The baby sounds have lessened quite a bit. Be prepared for molting out of all those down feathers!! You'll have enough to make a pillow out of! They are picking up sounds from phones, alarms, dogs, cats etc. and MAYBE a word or two, most will not speak at this early age. Especially CAG's, TAGS seem to start a little earlier and may have mastered some words a sentences. They may also start occasionally biting in these second six months as they learn desires wanted outside of what you wish. They are "Aware" of themselves, likes and dislikes. Just maintain consistency in your actions and requests. Do not try to punish your bird by ways you may think of how you relate to a dog or even a baby human. They only understand the "Moment" and how you react to it. Taking some kind of disciplinary action a minute later will not be linked to that moment of incorrect behavior. If you are married or their are other people in your home. The other members need to be aware that the baby chick is gone and it has also latched on to the "Favored" person. The favored can pet, scratch, cuddle and do many things with the Grey. Others may have had this privilege previously, but are now starting to get bitten and they grey is not wanting to spend as much time with them. This is normal and their is nothing the less favored person can do about it. The important thing to do, is remain consistent in mannerisms, helping feed, water, clean etc. as a joint member of the Flock. Remember, Greys pick one mate and it is for life. The others in the flock are just part of the community and not on the same personal as the mate. The good news, is they are not finding a mate at this point in life and may very well choose a different person in the later years of maturing. They have simply decided on a "Favored" person and that may or may not change as years go by. Years 1 to 2 - Eyes iris is now fully silver. They have grown in agility, speed and confidence. They also now have their own will showing through more (even stubbornness) and using their beak to let you know it. Be prepared for the heaviest molting at times during this year as the Tail, Secondary, Primary and most medium sized feathers all start coming out. If your Grey was clipped from the breeder. They will now probably be starting to gain flight capabilities as those clipped feathers molt out. By the time they are 2, they will be fully flighted. They will get attitudes at times of anger, jealousy etc. that you have not observed before with such intensity, as they are developing their own individuality and personality. They will have their favorite spots to perch on T stands, top of cage etc. and may become very possessive of that area. You should respect it to certain degrees, but if it's time to move them, do so. They must learn that you are always consistent in your actions, words, tone and facial expressions. They will soon know when it's not a request and is not negotiable. However. it is your responsibility to learn and know their body language so you are prepared for the reaction and attitude they are showing you through feathers possibly fluffed, eyes pinning or head down. If they truly are going to comply with out a struggle, most will lift one foot to step up if you have trained them carefully during the younger years. They have mastered a plethora of whistles, sounds and some words and phrases, along with a good concept of what they mean if you have carefully used words in association with things and actions. They are a hoot though and will have you laughing and shocked with what they may come out with verbally... be careful of what you say around them. 2 to 3 - OH BOY, the terrible two's! The eyes are now a pale straw colored yellow.. They are gloriously colored with that solid red tail now. They are SOMEBODY! Watch them strut! They no longer require much cuddle or scratch time with you except in the evenings once they are tired and every one is winding down. Be prepared for a Grey you can not keep an eye off of for even 1 second. They are into everything! Every thing is MINE-MINE-MINE!! If it's mine, it's mine, if it's yours its mine, if its guests it's mine, if it's the dogs its mine and on and on. They will not listen many times and will bite the crap out of you if they decide they do not want to step up. They will also bite more often when playing and even for no apparent reason at all. They are truly testing the boundaries of what they can get away with and you better be consistent (Which hopefully you have been all the way to this point). Yes, you will have to put them back on that stand 20 times in an hour. Yes, you will be putting them in their cage for time-outs many times a day for giving you a good bite. Yes, they just tore your purse, cellphone, keyboard or anything else they could get to into pieces of useless garbage...BIG FUN!! They may start showing more attention to someone else in the household other than the "Favorite". This is not a consistent tendency that can be claim as the "Rule" as some suggest. But, be aware it can start happening. 3 to 4 - Their eyes are now a light straw yellow. Ok, they are settling down now and getting with the "Flock" plan of proper etiquette, rules and understanding that life is some give and some take. Atleast hopefully they are. This truly depends on how you have interacted with them in the previous years. They tested their boundaries and you tested theirs. They are becoming a mature flock member (in their own eyes) and have become more of a functioning member that understands that we all have likes, dislikes, off limit places and items and we respect each others "Space" when appropriate. They will still bite the crap out of you if you invade their space at the wrong time or try to take something that is clearly theirs. They are getting close to starting to reach sexual maturity in this 4th year and you need to watch for and be careful of sexual behavior. It is a strong driving force and you just need to leave them alone. If they start acting out on it by dropping their wings, moving around and perhaps making a few strange noises, leave them alone, do not touch them further and just let them cool off. Note: They can start a sexual behavior such as this at much younger ages, but now the hormones are truly kicking in as they approach sexual maturity which normally is 5 Years old!<br><br>Post edited by: danmcq, at: 2009/10/23 19:53

Pulling this back up for newer members to take part. :-)

Here is a photo of an overgrown beak....

Normal standard Windows block a high percentage of the UVB and a lesser amount of UVA. Thus the slight tanning effect if you sit in a car or in front of a window for hours in the sun coming through. However, the amount coming through is reduced to a point that the UVB does not do the job for your bird in terms of vitamin D3 production. Now if you can open the window and let the sun pass through the screen into the room, your getting high levels of the entire UV range into that area. If you have dual pane windows treated as most newer homes or old homes with window upgrades. The UV range may possibly be block entirely by the inner window coatings. This stops the furniture and curtains from fading due to the low levels of UV coming through the window over years. The bottom line is, a bird sitting in front of a window does not receive enough UVB for D3 production naturally.

The offer to send samples from all these bird food companies is a great one. It gives you the ability to find from a plethora of different foods and treats what your bird likes and hates. It saves you a ton of money by not having to buy the commercial package at full price only to find you throw it all away. :-)

Congratulations Char!! Bragging rights are certainly appropriate upon this occasion. :-)

Now thats a smart breeder using todays technology to keep clients informed and happy from a distance. Hey - Got the webcam link? You know we all are now dieing to see that Grey too. :-)

Cute video and congratulations on Emma finally deciding to say "Good Job". :-) Thanks for sharing this.

Unless he is sick, he will eat enough. It will take time to get him on to Harrisons, if that is your goal. Try soaking the pellets in some apple juice to flavor and soften them, it might help. Don't give him too much apple, grape or others types of fruit. 2x a week is enough and in small quantities, like just a few small mouth size cubes or a grape cut in halves. Get him used to seeing and being close to the scale by leaving it out and near a place he perches a lot. You really can not tell much without being able to weigh him. Does his scale have a perch mounted on it? If not, it makes it mush easier for them to except it and step right up.

Great idea Msvoluptous!! I have photos of my Grey that journals every week from 6 weeks old on. A photo album is going to get made along with his birth certificate, DNA results etc. Karma to you for this posting this. :-) The link you referenced gives some good ideas in laying out the book pages. <br><br>Post edited by: danmcq, at: 2009/03/20 15:50

Your Grey is maturing and starting to assert his will just like a human child going through their teen years. You are going to need to give more attention now to his body language and eyes pinning as you start to have him step up or give a scratch. You'll be able to tell if a bite is coming and either respect his space or push on forward and take the bite IF you must move him or put him up.

Wow Gary, what a wonderful 1st Day!! Harley was certainly raised in a great environment at the breeder. The socializtion and inquisitiveness she displayed on Day one is evidence of that. Congratulations on getting your long awaited baby Grey. :-)

Judy is right on. It is VERY DRY in heated homes during the winter. A humidifier works wonders along with plenty of showers/misting. They also go through a pretty heavy molt in these last few months, which exascerbates the scratching and itching problem with all those new feathers coming in. I have showered\misted my Grey in the morning and that evening see him leave a dust imprint on a black sweatshirt where he sat. It seems to return very quickly.

It sounds like Tons of love for you guys, that your Grey is displaying. It won't be long before Ursula regurgitates for you, which is the highest honor. :-)

As the others have said, pass on the Birdtricks help and $$ you'll spend. They give bad and sometimes dangerous advice. You could end up damaging your Grey for life using some of their techniques.

Darwin is one beautiful birdy. :-) Thanks for posting these.

How heartbreaking for that owner. I hope and wish for a quick return.

Thats great news!! Looking forward to the so to be home coming. :-)

It's good to hear of the increased affections Tyco has for you now. Nothing like the thought that someone else may be a competitor to kick in the lovey dovey foo foo kissy kissy attitude of Amore' once again. ;-)

Congratulations!! It's good to hear you were picked and the trip went well for that new baby Grey. :-)

Good Article David and interesting. What I wish to know, is the answer to "We now want to study how the observed changes in stress hormone response relate to any behavioural changes observed, and in turn to birds’ long term health and survival.” The dynamics of this though, is I am certain the answer would depend upon WHERE the stress came from, such as a predator, weather etc. rather than artificially produced through chemicals. Many of us and critters face stress of different types that dictates how we react over time to other stressful situations and if we handle them well through past experiences. Like people , some react to stress by jumping into action and getting it "Fixed", some run in circles like chicken little and the sky is falling, others become frozen in fear etc.

Great stuff!! I don't suppose they have a website we could oreder from? If not, then would they take an order over the phone and ship it?

Nice photo of your beautiful Grey. Thanks for sharing it. :-)

What a nice photo, thanks for sharing it. :-)