tiffanyh

Thank you for the quick and kind replies. I am suprised how much better and determined they make me feel. Nothing really changed around 6 weeks ago....although apparently to him it did. Danmcq--he does stop screaming when taken out and put on my shoulder. THe kids dont every scream at him, they just run around playing and yelling. But I see what you mean. I understand the screaming with the kids. I really dont mind it but this scream is a bit different than the one he does with them. I never really thought of him seeing that as our call and trying it out for attention....makes sense. He does come out about 3-5 hours daily. Originally he was out ALL day on top of his cage. I am going to work it out so he comes out again in an enviroment I can clean up after more efficently. HE definatley enjoys that more. Sometime I guess I feel like everything needs me-and it can be overwhelming. He was a rescue thrown at me from a sick friend. I had always wanted one but had planned on waiting til a less hectic time. What about a time out of sorts too? I have considered putting a cage in our bedroom for when he gets way to loud. I need to be able to anwer the phone occasionally or talk occasionally and he screams loud enough now that that is impossible. Has anyone ever tried that--just moving him for 30 minutes or so during his loud times---or covering him briefly?? Will this help to show him he gets removed from what he enjoys when he does an undesired behavior?? I really want this to work .Consistency is hard when you have two kids, work and everyday is a bit different but I think he is smart enough to have the daily adjustments once we get back on track. It was GREAT for a while. PLease keep the ideas coming!! I REALLY NEED IT!<br><br>Post edited by: tiffanyh, at: 2008/02/05 18:43

Hi everyone. I am struggling with my grey. We have had him for 4 months or so. About six weeks ago he started screaming/shreeking-this kind of screaming the is painful to hear, very high pitched. He also does the noise from a fire alarm that is losing its battery. Problem is ,he goes this CONSTANTLY--all day, every hour. Here is some background. We have two loud children and he yells along with them--that is fine. He seems to enjoy it. He getting feed seed, fruit, veggies, eggs, etc. and has fresh water. He was coming about all day until about a week ago when I could not keep up with the amount of bird feces everywhere. Now he has two cages set up, one in the living room, one in the kitchen. he moves back and forth between the day to where we are. He has toys, music, treats and a soothing waterfall background to listen to when we are not home. Oh, also my mom is my daycare provider so someone is home almost all day everyday. Now. This all started about 6 weeks ago. You cant be in the kitchen with him, you can walk by his cage, you cant talk on the phone, you cant sleep past the sun rising. And it is PAINFUL to hear. It literally hurts when he does it. It did not coicide with the leaving him in his HUGE cage for more hours. It started before that. I read posts and tried ignoring him for about 4 weeks. But now it is driving me batty! I now try to scold him for it, as I would a dog, but obviously it has gotten worse since I am then giving him attention and reinforcing his bad behaviour but I dont know what else to do! I understand parrots are loud and need attention, but he also needs to blend in with our family needs, which seemed to be going very well until recently. ANy advice, besides ignore it, would be SO VERY Appreciated as I am considering calling his previous owner or rehoming him. I hate teo say it, but I dont even want to be around him right now because he hurts!! Although, I sure that is part of the problem. As I write this, it took me 10 minutes, he screamed so many times that I now have a piercing head ache as he is sitting next to me. I cant seem to wait to get out of the house because at least he is not screaming at my job! Please dont bash me! I am writing because i need help and want o make my bird and myself happy and have no idea what to do. Thanks.

I teach at a college so I am off now for 6 weeks. My mom watches the kids (and bird) 4 days a week while I work. He does do well playing alone for a while. Good point though, he does have to know how to entertain himself here and there, didnt really think about that.

Alright, I am feeling a bit guilty and need your opinions! My grey, who I acquired 2 months or so ago, is doing well. He was a rescue per say, and although I had always wanted a grey I planned on waiting 5 to 10 years because I have small kids now who take most of my attention. But here I happily am..... He spends most of the day with free range on top/inside of his cage. He talks, looks out the windows. My mother is my "hired childcare" , so she is here during the day when I am not. She chats with him, gives him treats here and there also. If no one is here, I play some music for him which he chirps along to. In the evening, he comes in the living room on his perch with us and watches TV or sits on my lap and gets his head scratched. Eventually, he gets to loud (screams) and he heads back into his cage for bedtime (usually 9:30 or so). FInally my question: Is this enough time for him? I feel guilty knowing he is such a smart little guy and feel like he needs more. He has toys which I change around weekly, some talk to him. HOw much time to you give your greys and what extracurricular acitivites do they seem to enjoy? Thanks, Tiffany and Higgy

Hello all! I already posted once in the AFRICAN GREY section but thought Id introduce myself. Im Tiffany and I just aquired a CAG named Higgins (higgy). His previousowner is quite sick and her doctor recommended she rehome the bird since she is having probelms with her lungs that they cant seem to fix. So my BFF (:laugh: ) called me and asked and of course, having wanted a Grey since my first meeting one at the vet hospital YEAR ago--I immediatley said yes... I am a 31 year old, certified vet tech but after 10 years at vet hosp and 6 years of college, I work full time teaching chemistry at a local univeristy. I am new to parrots but have birds--chickens (and am a loyal member of backyardchikens.com ), quail, and have done wildlife rehab for years before my cert ran out. We have goats, rabbits, dog, cats, etc...I spend a LOT of time cleaning my house and yard up! Higgy is a 12 year old guy. He is quite friendly and is a bit nippy but overall adjusting well. He is already mimicing my voice (didnt realize I sounded so annoying and naggy). He is home with my mom who is my hired daycare during the day and of course, with my husband, myself and two children in the evening. So far...love having my bird and am grateful for forums like this where I can be neurotic and constantly check to make sure my bird is acting normal!! Look forward to chatting with you all! Tiffany and Higgins

Thats what I figured--he is chatty and all, just doesnt want to come out. To bad, I want to hang out now that he lets me scratch his head and rub his beak. Guess it will have to wait until he is in a better mood.

hi everyone! This is my first post. I am new to my grey, he has lived here for 2 weeks today. He is my first parrot although I have had smaller birds for years and am a Certified Vet Tech so medically I know birds, but not so much behaviorly. so-i humbly ask your advice. My grey-Higgins- has been quite active since arriving. He talked from the get go when I expected there to be a longer adjustment period. He spends time during the day between the top of his cage and his perch in the living room. Well today, he has been in the cgae all day-seems a bit quite or depressed. He will chat with me each time I go in there, or sing. And I just went in to sweet talk him and he comes out, but otherwise he doesnt feel like hanging out on top of his cgae today. He is eating okay. Is this normal? I figured such an intellegent bird would be prone to good moods and bad moods. I also though maybe he is still lonely for his last owners (who is quite sick and couldnt keep him after 10 years). I guess I just want to be sure he is not feeling ill and I might be overlooking it..... I did clean his cage today, although I have done that quite a few time since I've had him, but I moved something. So, are your birds moody sometime? Or shoudl I be on the look out??? Thanks a ton!<br><br>Post edited by: tiffanyh, at: 2007/11/26 01:55