Journeyman

Hey everybody, I have a question about pin feathers. Cosmo has 3 quills in the back of his neck that are bothering the heck out of him. You can't see them, I noticed them one day, a few days ago while I was giving him a neck rub. I was wondering why he was so cranky lately. He'll let me get a hold of them, but with a lite tug, he'll yelp like a puppy. Since I noticed them, he knows that I know they're there so every once in a while he'll motion to me with one of his claws-rubbing it on the back of his neck where the pin feathers are. I tell him "I don't want to pluck them out, Cosmo, they're in to tight". He periodocally he will try to free them by scrapping his neck up against what ever he must think will help him remove them. He'll be three years old in August and these pin fethers are his first. Is there something I can do to help Cosmo get them out?

I'd be careful with things that are non-toxic. I'm a bit unfamiliar with what is poisonous to parrots except the commonly known (I.E. household cleaners, air fresheners, etc.) What I have done so far, until I come up with something better, is putting a little "bitter apple" on the nuts and bolts. It's something they use to use on parrots who "plucked" their feathers out (I guess in frustration, thank God Cosmo doesn't do that!). I haven't seen Cosmo try to get out that way in a while. He only unscrewed the nuts off the bolts that holds his cage door on when I would lock him down completely. (It's kind of confusing, but I have several methods that I use to at least, make it difficult for him to come out when HE wants to). My only concern is him coming out when I'm not home, Which has happened on several occasions. He has a full play area outside his cage for him to enjoy, so it's not that he's cooped up in his cage too long, he enjoys his freedom so much he's taking advantage of me, I guess. Cosmo's only about 3 years old (I've had him since he was 13 weeks old). I've read that Congo African Grey's are mentally mature at around 5 years. So maybe in about 2 years he'll either give up out-witting me, or I'll be the one in the cage, trying to figure out how I can get out!

I've tried Locktite and he eventually loosened the nut anyway. (One time Cosmo broke apart a toy that was 3 sand stone blocks. I keep the parts of toys he chews up, to make new ones since parrot toys are expensive. I left one sand stone block that he didn't break apart on the bottom of his cage as a foot toy. He would pick it up with his beak and slide it up the side of his cage, which is 72 inches tall at the top of the dome, and drop it when he got to the top. I eventually took the sand stone block out of the cage because it would make a terribly loud bang when it hit the bottom. The sand stone block weighed a little over 1 pound. He's not only very smart, he's very strong) I'll check the link you've included to see if it's a different thread fastening solution.

I apologize for my erratic remark, it wasn't aimed toward anyone. It's just that a lot of replies just mentioned that I should keep him in his cage when I'm not home. The problem was that I couldn't keep him in, everything I did to lock him in, Cosmo (that's my CAG's name) would figure out how to undo it. I'd often come home to find him out again. I was just worried about my Grey getting out of his cage and I guess people were confused with what I was asking for. No hard feelings? I attached a picture of one of the bolts Cosmo would unscrew on his cage door. I took it when someone asked me what the bolts looked like. I also attached a picture of Cosmo's cage, it's a 40" wide, 30" deep, 72" high at the dome presentation cage.

I replied to luvparrots (this gets so confusing..but I appretiate the help) and thought you asked about what the hinges looked like, so I went to take a quick picture of the bottom nut and bolt on the cage door, when Cosmo jumped into the view-finder and said "Rick...whattcha doin?" I thought I'd share that with you. See attached.

They might be too big, there's not much screw length that sticks out. As a matter of fact, I can't figure out how he gets a grip on the nut as to un-tighten it. I can hardly get a wrench in between the bars myself. But that's a good idea. I'm sure I can find some very strong magnets of that type after measuring the space they'd need to fit into.

I've attached a picture I took earlier today when Talon asked me about the bolts. Please see attached JPG.

That's something I haven't tried. Now if I can figure out how to keep him from opening the food station doors (there's 5 of them) from the inside (He wedges the very tip of his beak through a very narrow separation, and catches the swing latch and swings it open). I tried to tighten the screws on the latches, but they're as tight as they can go. This is how Cosmo usually gets out. The bolts on his cage door are a last resort. I don't mind so much when I'm home, it can be inconvenient at times. He's pretty well behaved when I'm home, it's just that I've caught him out of his cage, just hanging out on one of his outside perches a couple of times when I came back home after being out a couple of hours and my heart just sunk! He was OK, but this is not good. I have to be able to lock him down before I leave the apartment. Can you imagine me asking someone to "baby-sit" Cosmo, if I were to be gone for a couple of days, and saying, "Oh, and on top of making sure he has fresh food and water, Cosmo may decide to come out for a little R&R outside the cage..."! Yeah, I have my work cut out for me. Did you see the attachment in my reply to Talon entitled "Cosmo helps Rick show Talon the hinges.jpg"? Talon asked me what type of hinges I had on Cosmo's cage. So I went to take a quick picture of the bottom bolt when Cosmo jumped into the view-finder and said "Rick...whattcha doin?" He's a character!

I don't know why my reply posted before I had a chance to insert a picture. I guess I have to get used to the new website... Talon, When I click on the attachment link it gives me "Invalid attachment specified". The hinges are just one nut and bolt on top and bottom of the door, straight-bolted through the top rectangular bar into the top rectangular bar on the cage, and visa versa on the bottom of the door. I attached a picture that I just took, Cosmo jumped in to show you the type of hinge too..

I hope so. I love Cosmo (that's my almost 3 year old CAG). He's been coming out of his cage these past 3 months on his own, not that I want him to nor condone it. I've tried everything from pad locks to small chains...everything I can think of. I have an expensive 40 inch long, 30 inch deep, 72 inch high at the dome presentation cage. The kind pet shops use, however it's brass plated (not plexiglass). It could be inconvienient when I'm home, disastrous if I'm not. I think you can understand my delema.

I apologize. I don't know what happened with the post being submitted three times. I'll be more tentative in the future.

Thanks for the idea. I've tried that and unfortunately over time, Cosmo's able to loosen the bolts anyway. He's a real sweet heart. He just wants to be with me always! I love him and yes, he is smart. One time I bought a puzzle toy for him, it was called "Tiki Takeout". You put a treat in from underneath the hut via a hidden door that has a latch that opens the door using a dime, then you put in 4 wooden dowels to keep the treat in the hut. The parrot can only get the treat by gnawing through the wooden dowels., or so this is how the puzzle is supposed to work. I put the treat and dowels in the hut out of Cosmo's sight, mind you. When I put the hut in his cage, Cosmo inspected it, saw there was a door on the bottom, found the latch and turned the latch with his beak, out comes the treat, dowels and all. It took him 15 seconds to discover he didn't have to chew through the dowels to get to the treat. End of puzzle, it's like that with Cosmo, he IS amazing. He also talks to me with a level of rationale. He tells me when it's "Time to take a nap"...It's time for sleep", and if I make too much noise when he's sleeping, he gets mad and says, "Be quiet, for Christs sake, it's time for sleep". He also reminds me to "Go get the mail" (somehow he can tell what time the mail comes, around 3:00PM. If he didn't see me leave out of my front door when I say, "I'm going to get the mail", he'll remind me! I swear to God!). I enclosed a picture of Cosmo's cage. It's a 40"x30"x72" preview cage.

This is a picture of Cosmo's cage. It's a 40"x30"x72" "Preview" cage with 5 food station that are outside accessible. I've tried everything I can think of. I've had Cosmo for 3 years. I'm not stupid, so don't post any replies that suggest that my cage isn't good enough or that I don't know how tom take care of an African Grey. I don't know if there's a communication gap, but please, stop posting how important it is to secure a cage, or that my cage isn't secure enough... If you don't relate to my problem, don't reply. I need a reply from someone who has enough experience with an African Grey by owning one for at least a couple of years. No offense.

I recently posted a request for help with a troubling matter. The post entitled "My Grey rules the roost" in Grey Lounge-->cages &.. (if you would please read that post),.. received a few replies and I feel that nobody took the time to read it entirely, including my replies to those who answered my post. I'm not new to owning a CAG, Cosmo and I are well established with each other. The replies I received were short, and obvious. Of course I know the importance of keeping a parrot in his cage, that's not the question I ask in that post. I'm discouraged because I've been posting on Grey Forums for almost 3 years and always received good sound advice. I haven't posted or replied to a post in a while for certain reasons, I hope this is not one of those web forums that fall prey to "clicks" (if your not in, your not recognized). I don't know anyone personally who owns a Grey to ask specific questions, all I have is the people on Grey Forums. The situation I have with Cosmo is serious. He comes out of his cage when he wants to, that's fine when I'm home. I can't lock him in because he's figured out how to get out, every time for example, I have a Master lock on the door now. He's figured out how to open the door from it's hinges. He unscrews either bolt with his beak, then it falls open. He's even figured out how to open the food station doors by swinging the latch open from the inside of the cage using the very, very tip of his beak. (He's extremely smart!) Don't get me wrong, he's a sweetheart. It's just that I've been battling wits with him for years and I'm looking for some new ideas so I can go out of the apartment with some peace of mind.

danmcq, I've been out of touch with the latest, where did you get it, and how much? (If you don't mind me asking)

How long have you had your friend? My biggest fear is losing my best friend Cosmo.

There's another Cosmo?

I need help, so my Grey doen't hurt himself, not wise cracks. I did not say he opens the cage door with the key to the Master lock that I put on, I said "He's figured out how to open the door from it's hinges. He unscrews either bolt with his beak, then it falls open."

I don't know if I have a Grey that's genetically super-smart, I can tell stories that might astound you. I've asked everyone I know, and they give me obvious answers. Then I tell them what Cosmo is able to do, and they look at me like I'm crazy. I've tried every lock I can think of. I have a Master lock on the door now. He's figured out how to open the door from it's hinges. He unscrews either bolt with his beak, then it falls open. He's even figured out how to open the food station doors by swinging the latch from the inside of the cage using the very, very tip of his beak. (He's extremely smart!) Don't get me wrong, he's a sweetheart. It's just that I've been battling wits with him for years and I'm looking for some new ideas so I can go out of the apartment with some peace of mind without destroying our wonderful relationship.

I know. I have the same problem, it's just that I've never left the cage door open, ever. I don't know if I have a Grey that's genetically super-smart, I can tell stories that might astound you. I've asked everyone I know, and they give me obvious answers. Then I tell them what Cosmo is able to do, and they look at me like I'm crazy. I've tried every lock I can think of. I have a Master lock on the door now. He's figured out how to open the door from it's hinges. He unscrews either bolt with his beak, then it falls open. He's even figured out how to open the food station doors by swinging the latch from the inside of the cage using the very, very tip of his beak. (He's extremely smart!) Don't get me wrong, he's a sweetheart. It's just that I've been battling wits with him for years and I'm looking for some new ideas so I can go out of the apartment with some peace of mind without destroying our wonderful relationship.

I've tried that. I've tried every lock I can think of. I have a Master lock on the door now. He's figured out how to open the door from it's hinges. He unscrews either bolt with his beak, then it falls open. He's even figured out how to open the food station doors by swinging the latch open from the inside of the cage using the very, very tip of his beak. (He's extremely smart!) Don't get me wrong, he's a sweetheart. It's just that I've been battling wits with him for years and I'm looking for some new ideas so I can go out of the apartment with some peace of mind without destroying our wonderful relationship.

My almost 3 year old male CAG has been coming out of his cage for a few months now, and I thought it was pretty cute, and our relationship soared to new heights. However, he's been so used to coming out when I'm home (and our relationship soaring), he's starting to take advantage of me. I know I'm letting him, I'm just now trying to work with him on some boundaries. First of all, he's flighted (and staying that way) and does a tremendous job of flying around our one bedroom apartment. I secured perches around where I usually am, at any given time, in the apartment. I have one perch in the kitchen and one in the living room. He has a Manzanita tree I roll out for him in the living room next to his cage when he comes out and a 3'x4' play-net secured to the ceiling above his tree. He amused and satisfied with the arrangement, so far. My problem is lately, when I'm out of the apartment too long (usually for more than 4 hours) I'll find him out of his cage, either on one of his perches or on his tree. God only knows how long he's been out, and what he's been up to. I've adopted a 9 1/2 year old domestic short-hair cat, named Sylvester, this January. He and Cosmo (that's my male CAG's name) seem to get along fine. The cat respects Cosmo and Cosmo, well... let's just say he gets a kick out of the cat. I've tried everything to keep Cosmo from coming out as he wishes. (I don't want to get into detail, however I have some pretty amazing stories that back-up a Congo African Grey's intelligence) I've included some pictures, if they are upload-able. I don't want to "lock him down" for 2 reasons; 1. The more secure I have to keep his cage, the harder it is for me to work in the cage, i.e. feeding, cleaning... and 2. I'm afraid if I had my way, where he only comes out via my assistance (like it used to be) by somehow preventing him from coming out on his own AND maintaining some ease of taking care of his caged needs, I'd destroy our relationship that we had ever since he was a baby. Besides, who would come over my place to take care of a CAG who can (and will) come out of his cage at anytime? This is why I don't go on any vacations. This could also be a serious problem if, let's say, I had to go to the hospital. I don't live with any roommates that are human. So... does anyone have any feed back? Thank for reading.

Having three must be a test! Cosmo basically runs the apartment where we live. When he tells me it's time for him to go to sleep... (he'll say, "Rick, it's time for sleep". Since he was a baby, every time I'd put him to sleep as I'd cover his cage I would say "It's time for sleep")... I have to lower the TV, shut off all the lights, cover his cage, and Astro's cage (he's my yellow-sided Conure) and keep as absolutley quiet as I can. One night for example, I dropped a spoon on my kitchen table while I was eating a midnight snack, Cosmo exclaimed with anger from his cage in the living room, "For Christ sake, be quiet! It's time for sleep!" I kid you not! He's been able to understand the words I use when I'm frustrated (and also not proud of). I never yell at him. Just the inanimate objects that don't seem to do what I want them too when I need them to do something, if that makes any sense. I have quite a few hilarious stories as well as some videos that will probably knock your socks off!!!

That's great! I have tons of pictures, and a video series entitled "I'm Cosmo". The video series is basically a day in the life of an African Grey and his take on situations as they arise.

I have a 3 year old male CAG and he and I live together by ourselves. I consider him my roomate with feathers and a beak. I've been living with him (and him with me) since November 2007. Cosmo, that's his name, moved in with me when he was about 13 weeks old. Since then, we've developed a trusting relationship based on unconditional love. However, Cosmo has been testing my boundries lately. One important, and frustrating condition he constantly tests is his freedom. As you probably can tell, I'm a bit liberal on the subject. He insists on coming out of his cage (I call it his house) on his own. He can do this when he needs to or wants to when I'm home, so far so good. This tenuous agreement has been in effect for about 6 months now and is being tested every day. He uses every means to get and keep my attention, including switching his heat lampon and off knowing I'll stop what I'm doing to walk over to offer my hand, to stop him from a dangerous act. He never chews at the electric wire, he just switches the "rocker" on-off switch while he looks at me. That's just one example of how he "tests my patience.". Will anyone share with me their trials and tribulations with living with these captivating and almost Indescribable (except to another CAG owner) creatures.