loviechick

On very rare occurnces I've heard both my Greys fall off their perches, I'm not sure if it was out of fear or loss of balance, but by the time I rush in there they're usually back on their perch

Both mine do it naturally on their own....I've never heard of causing them to go off balance to do it. Running with them yes but shaking no??

Hey there!! Must be something in the air, as this happened to one of my Greys last week!!! I grabbed about a tablespoon of peanut butter and I would get a little bit between my fingers and really rub it into her feathers. I took her and threw her in the shower with warmer water, but obviously nothing that would scald her. Then I pulled her out of the shower and rubbed the bits of peanut butter left and dry off the feathers. I repeated this twice a day for 3 days, and it helped, and now it's gone!!! My Grey loves the shower now LOL

I think you're expecting a bit much too soon.

Your sun is so cute BMustee!!! As far as shoulder perching is concerned, it's a personal choice. My birds are all alowed on my shoulders, just not while I'm cooking or cleaning, primarily when I'm online or watching TV, typically when I'm sedentary. I don't recommend it for people with unpredictable birds, or birds that bite!

I've finally gotten mine to accept the shower and they don't growl or bite anymore, but neither of mine like the water bottle they full out scream when they see it, so who knows maybe it was a form of punishment in their prior homes!

Mine all try to get in my mouth, for the most part they don't succeed, but in the event that they do I've got antibiotics in the freezer I give them just in case. Very rarely does that happen though!

Hmmm this is interesting. IS he attacking all people? Have you changed his environment? New toys? Moved to a new location in the house? New house? someting different in his diet? Weather changes? Has something changed with you? Maybe a new Shampoo, hair cut? I notice that my birds specifically my Greys do NOT tolerate change very well at all. I can't wear my hair down at all around them they will attack me in a heartbeat! Also I would maybe consult a vet to see if there is an underlying illness associated with his aggression. good luck!

One of mine LOVES hanging upside down, and my other one hardly does it!!!! I've always wondered why! She's adorable though!

Both my birds were rehomed/rescued, in fact my 13 year old CAG was owned by an old couple and she was cage bound for at least 4 years, she was only fed sunflower seeds, and occasionally got some fruit. So I'm seeing similarities here. However I worked VERY hard to get where I'm at with my Grey, she will now step up on command, and always give kisses when asked. But I also gave her, and still do, her space. My other Grey is more like velcro always wanting to be around me. If you're wanting them to come hang out get a tree gym or something where they can be near you, but still have "their" space. I'm not sure if you're just trying to put them on your couch next to you, or on the floor, but get a neutral space for them that they can have. I bought a huge manzanita tree for Red, and everytime I was in the kitchen/living room since they're connected I would have her on her tree. I'd make no attempt to touch her other than to get her from point A to point B. I also noticed that it made her a LOT less jumpy to other noises in the house. Now you have my 3 cents, I would get a neutral zone with something for her, in the event that you already don't. Treats go a long way, so don't forget that!

Tin, you already know my two cents LOL just make the drive up here, and the guy can get ya one for around 400 bucks!!!!

If you find a way, please let me know LOL I live alone, and boy my birds won't go to hardly anyone unless I put them there. Now my Senegal, and my Sun Conure, they are quite social and will go to anyone, but with my Greys, forget it! I would suggest that while you are home only you spend time with the bird and not your partner. If your partner is already hanging out with the bird more often, PLUS while the both of you are home, the bird is still getting a dose of one person more than the other. Reward the bird for hanging out with you, and don't encourage the "defensive" behavior if they get nippy, put them back in their cage for a 5 minute time oue, and then bring them back out and reward them for being good!

I work 8 hours a day, and live about a mile from my job, so I can go home and check on my birds for lunch daily. They all get 3 hours out of their cages at night during the week, 8-12 hours on the weekend. No kids, no other pets. I can't say this is a good or bad schedule for a Grey, there is no "right" schedule, I worked nights for 4 years, and while that was a bit less consistant, my birds still had the same amount of out of cage time. It's whatever you think you can do, however I don't recommend getting one and letting it out "when you can" They need a semi consistant routine, otherwise there can be a lot of problems with it emotionally, constant coming and going and no routine much like children, isn't good for them.

Personally if it were me, I wouldn't rehome him. I worked nights for 2 years and went to school full time during that 2 years. My birds didn't have more than an hour out of cage night, and they are all fine, they survived it for two years, I know this Grey could handle it for 6 months. However I am in Oregon, Salem to be exact, if you would like I can watch him for 6 months, but to warn you he will be more emotionally scarred from uprooting to a strangers house, than he would be just staying in your home and not getting much time for 6 months. Bear in mind yours is young and more than likely to be more resilient than one that has bounced from home to home like mine! I would be more than happy to keep Tank, but I would not be able to pay for him, all I can guarantee is a happy home. If you're wantin to recoop your "losses" I won't be able to help you out, sorry, I don't support anyone rehoming a bird and making their money back.<br><br>Post edited by: loviechick, at: 2008/01/14 18:04

When I rescued Red, her name was Ted. They thought she was a boy. She struck me as a girl the minute I met her, so I started calling her Red and she's learned her name, and has never said Ted in my presence. Zsa Zsa ws originally named General and was also thought to be a boy. My mom actually named her, and her full name is Zsa Zsa Gabird LOL