Lovelylew

Our house is relatively quiet. I put the radio on during the daytime, and I'm in and out of the kitchen chatting to the birds throughout the day. Today, I cleaned and had the music up pretty loud while cleaning their cages (two cockatiels in the kitchen as well in their own cage), spraying them, cleaning the floor, etc., but she still remained quiet. When I came home tonight after my sewing class, the house was quiet because my husband worked late. When I flipped on the lights and walked over to her cage, I heard her make a sound which sort of sounds like step up, but that's it. Hopefully, she will become chatty and start making some sounds. The cockatiels are noisy, but Obi doesn't chatter or make sounds back at them either.

I have a question, Obi seems so content and well adjusted, yet she hardly makes a sound. I've been working with her ever single day and she's making good progress, but she's so quiet. Is this normal?

Hmmm, don't know much about fertilization or hatching of eggs, but I thought if one egg was fertile, they all would be. Did you put a deposit on the egg?

That was really cute! LOL

Hi Lesley, welcome to the forum. WOW! I can't believe you have 10 Greys plus all the other animals you have. What a special person to house all of these pets. Do all of the Greys live together? Again, all I can say is WOW! LOL I have two cockatiels, a keeshound, and just got my first Grey (three weeks ago). I'm sure you have a ton of knowledge to share. Again, welcome to the forum.

I've recently been lowering my voice and speaking to Obi in a soft manner, trying to reassure her that she's safe and I'm safe. Today, I had some leadway in that she let me pet her head, scratch her neck, and pet her head and neck. YAY! I was really happy with the progress we're making. It's taking time, but we are moving forward. Thank you for the suggestions, parrotlady. Raposa, I hope you make some progress too. I know when I look at videos on Youtube and see how some people handle their birds, flipping them over, etc., makes me wish Obi did those things now, but I guess that comes with time and patience.

I tried mixing applesauce in oatmeal, but she wouldn't even try that. I'm going to have to try and get her to eat more pellets, guess I'll try soaking them or something. I guess I could try putting them in applesauce and see what happens. Thanks for the suggestions.

Thanks to both for the helpful information. I can't get my Grey to eat the pellets. The seed blend I purchased (2 different kinds that I mix together) have some pellets. The mix that the breeder sent me home with had a variety of seeds mixed in. Since Obi is only 4 months and ate the breeder mix like crazy and mine only some, I thouht I would add hulled oats and safflower to my mixture. Obi will eat grapes, carrots, lettuce, and a variety of fresh fruits and veggies that I also give on a daily basis. I give a mixture of dried banana, yogurt peanut/raisin (which she really goes nuts over but only give like 3-4 per day yogurt) along with coconut mixed in. I also offer a soy bean mix (breeder had me soak and boil the beans and mix with frozen veggies that I warm each morning) but she's not really eating this either. I tried oatmeal to no avail. Can you offer any suggestions to get Obi to eat more pellets? I really didn't want her to go hungry, so that is why I just placed the order for hulled oats and safflower to mix in with the sunflower/pellet mixture I already have. Thanks for answering, and also fairymyst, thank you for the link. I did place an order.

Can you just order safflower seed to mix in with my other mixture? The breeder gave me mixed seeds with safflower mixed in, and the only plain safflower seed I can find is wild seed. The breeder told me not to feed her wild bird seed. I thought I would mix extra safflower in with my mixture since that is what she seems to enjoy. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

It has been three weeks now since Obi has been with us. I'm so excited because this morning when I took her out of her cage, I talked with her very softly and reassuringly that she is safe with me. Well, I asked if I could pet her head and very gently was able to pet her head and neck for several strokes. It's funny how small things like this can make you happier than all get out - lol - my husband works in an office in our lower level and I couldn't wait to tell him that she finally let me pet her head - YAY! Just one more thing to brag about - lol - again, I'm new at this, and very proud at how well Obi has done thus far. Obi will step up on command every single time now. When she's on the top of her cage, she used to run to the other side (where I couldn't reach) so I used the empty paper towel cardboard to prevent her from running over and would get her to step-up that way instead of chasing her. Well now, I hold one hand up and use the other hand to give the step-up command, and it works like a charm every single time. No more chasing or paper towel cardboard - lol - When she sees my hand raise, she knows it's time to step-up and go back into her cage! WOO HOO! I can't wait as each new step and new command is learned. I'm really looking forward to being able to train Obi and have lots and lots of fun with her. She's a wonderful addition to our family! Sorry for the lengthy post, but I'm so excited! Woo Hoo! {Feel-good-0002006E}

I am a relatively new (3 weeks now) first-time African Grey owner. I can attest, that patience is the key. I'm so glad I found this forum because everyone here emphasizes patience. I have been very very patient with my baby, spending hours on end sitting by her cage, talking to her, reassuring her that I am a safe place for her. She's getting it, but I realize now exactly how much patience you truly need. If you want to dedicate the time and make the commitment, the African Grey is truly an amazing animal. I'm loving ours more and more every day. Good luck to you!

Siobhan, what beautiful pictures!

I'm so sorry this happened to you and Friday. Thank you so much for sharing this. Thankfully, you discovered the tube was missing, swept the floor, etc., and took action immediately. Hope Friday is fine now. Please keep us posted.

Should have said guys/gals, you're funny! LOL Love it here! {Feel-good-0002006E}

LOL - you guys are funny! {Feel-good-0002006E}

Thanks for the tips, Tracy! I had Obi on my finger for about 3-5 minutes before, standing by the screen and letting her listen to the sounds of the birds outside. She listened so intently to each sound, and the bees on the deck were flying near the screen, so I just talked and reassured her that she can trust me. After that little while, I then put her on the top of her cage, her favorite place. I'm doing little by little and making progress. I do want to train her to do tricks as well. How long does it usually take before you can work with them/have them respond? I realize that each animal is different, but a guestimate would be good. I watched the little video where the trainer has the bird waving as he trains the bird with the clicker. I don't think Obi is quite there yet, maybe in time. She will take some food from me, but sometimes she'll just toss it. Again, thanks for the tips/advice. I'm trying to learn everything I can learn about this magnificent CAG.

LOL - you're right about that, Dan! Being a female, God certainly gave me the gift to gab for sure! LOL My tiels are males and much more verbal than the female I had who only seemed to squawk from time-to-time; she's in bird heaven now, so I have two males. I hope Obi chatters up a storm because we can't wait. Thanks again for the congrats! Proud mamma here - lol

Thanks Judygram! LOL I'm really excited! She's a good little bird, very quiet still. I went down the bird farm near our home the other evening, and they had a CAG around the same age as Obi, but much smaller. It was fun seeing another CAG now that we own our own. I'm so happy, guess you could say I'm a proud parront! LOL Bye for now and thanks for the congrats.

Obi is a girl. LOL We thought for sure he was a boy. LOL We're excited either way. From what I've read, not really much difference in male or female by way of intelligence or ability to talk. Just wanted to let you all know our great news! Have a wonderful weekend! {Feel-good-00020069}

What beautiful photos. Amazing! I would love to be able to experience this even if only once. I had a cockatiel that laid eggs, but the male never fertilized them. What a wonderful experience that must be! Thanks for a great room in the forum! Love it! {Feel-good-000200BB}

Tracy, the information you posted is very helpful, thanks so much. My Obi (CAG) is 4 months old. He's been with us almost three weeks now. He's stepping up nicely, loves to be on the top of his cage, and I'm trying to get him used to touch now. The past two days, I have been able to touch his beak with a slight pet. He will use his tongue to touch my finger. Of course, too much touching, he gets nippy and I tell him very sternly "no" "no bite." He seems to like it best on the top of his cage, and that is where he would rather be than on my finger; however, I'm starting to walk a little bit around the kitchen/living room with him on my finger each morning, but not for very long. Are there any suggestions you can make so that he will get used to touch, petting, etc.? Basically, what I'm asking is where do you go with training after mastering the step up command? I don't want to push myself on him, but I do want to work with him and want to be able to train him. I realize he's still in the "getting comfortable" stage, although he seems very well adjusted, plays with his toys, etc. Very quiet, though, not much sound. His cage is in our kitchen, which is large, along with two cockatiels (of course caged separately). I'm the main caretaker, mamma, however, my husband wants to be able to interact with Obi as well. My husband is taking it very slow with him, though. Thank you for any information. Have a great weekend!

Hi, welcome to the forum. I've been here almost three weeks now. Lots of very helpful information. Love the name, Adanna!

LOL LOL - Dave, you're too funny! LOL LOL I'm still giggling over that one! LOL - I run my dishwasher and I have two cockatiels and now an African Grey, no problem whatsoever. I spray air freshener in the bathroom off my kitchen, and that's not a problem either, as long as you don't spray it directly near them. Have a great weekend! {Feel-good-00020069}

2Girls, your pictures are great! Josie looks like she is having so much fun! Thanks for sharing them.

That's so cool about Oggie. I hope he talks your ear off now - lol - my Obi is very quiet. Every now and then I'll hear something that sounds like step up and a minor shrill whistle, so I'm hoping that he'll start talking soon. Have a great day!