bradselig

Thanks for the compliment! I figured that there was a lot about molting, I just couldnt find anything when I used the search function. However, I guess I was trying too hard. I just went a searched "molting" and found A LOT of posts about temperament changes with molting. So I apologize for this post. Just think of it as an update on Scooter! lol.

Hi everyone! First I need to apologize for not being on the forum and updating everyone. Just to refresh everyones memory, I adopted a 10yr old CAG several months ago. Scooter is an amazing bird and we have really bonded in such a short amount of time. I have since gotten him a play stand (that he is on whenever I am home) and a nice big cage (41"wide x 28" x 72"). Just about a month ago, I noticed a drastic increase in loose feathers. So I assumed he is starting to molt. I was correct and can feel the new ones coming in. With these new feathers, it seems as if a new temperament has so started to show. Scooter is now starting to act up. He is acting fearful of me and seems to be getting more aggressive. When I first got him, he bit me once. That was the only time (me trying to "force" him to step up. Mistake!). But now he has started to try to bite me more often. I was wondering if anyone has noticed an increase in aggressive behavior when their grey(s)/birds are molting? When he does allow me to pet him, there seems to be a spot on his wing/back that seems to bother him. He will bark at me when I touch this spot and he immediately lunges at my hand. He has always been sensitive to me touching his wings, but never like this. I will be making a vet appointment to get this checked out, but just wondering if anyone has noticed a temperament change in their bird during molting. Sorry if this has been discussed before. I tried searching for it, but could not find anything about it. Here are some pictures taken today. Notice the one flight feather. I know this one bothers him.

Well, just got back from the vet. He said Scooter has a clean bill of health! As far as the eye, he said there really isnt much we can do for it. He thinks it is from trauma of some sort, which has caused his eye to not be able to regulate the amount of fluid in the eye. Sometimes the eye looks shriveled and others it becomes cone shaped. He said if it goes Cone shape and stays that way, we can do eye drops to help that. So over all, it went great. Scooter did very well. Scooter is coming along very well, too. When he doesnt want to do something, he has gone from biting and breaking skin to just mouthing me and pushing my hand away! It seems like everyday he does something new or says something new. The other day I was taking a shower and all of a sudden started to hear the Andy Griffith Theme song! He says "hello" in 2 different "voices". Has said "pretty bird". I have ordered him a playstand and should be getting it next week. Cant wait to get it and give him something more to do!<br><br>Post edited by: bradselig, at: 2009/11/12 15:49

I got the pictures back up. Let me know if anyone has any ideas on the eye. From the way he acts, I think he may already be blind in it or atleast very reduced vision. He doesnt react when i take my finger and act like I am going to touch his eye like he does on his other. Also, If I approach that side with my hand to pet him, it seems to startle him and he will jump. So I have started to tell him I am going to pet him. He seems to do a lot better when he knows it is coming.

Opps! Sorry about that. I will get them back up tonight after work.

Thanks again for all the help. We have a vet appointment for next Thursday in the morning. Hopefully it is something they can help. Here is what all of you were waiting for! And here are some comparison pictures of his eyes. <br><br>Post edited by: bradselig, at: 2009/11/07 02:57

Thanks for the warm welcome! I don't care if he is one eyed or not, I just worry that he is not in pain. And if I can save the eye than great! He will not be going back to the pet store ever, no matter what the eye does. One of the biggest challenges I have stumbled across since having him is trying to determine what he wants and what he is doing. He really doesn't talk much, but whistles up a storm. He will do a click and the ring his bell right after (he came with the cage the previous owners had him in). It sounds like a clicker you use for training so I am curious if he was trained with a clicker? I am going to have the pet store if the owners my number in the hopes of them calling and being able to talk about him, his personality, likes, dislikes, etc. As of right now I feel lost but he seems to be coping very well! Thanks again and I will gwt pictures posted of him tonight hopefully

Hi, my name is Brad Selig. I am from Indiana. I just recently got my first African Grey. He is a 10 year old named Scooter (he came with the name). He was from an older couple who had him since he was a baby. The husband had to be put into a nursing home and the wife just didnt have the time to care for him anymore. So they took him to a local pet store to sell on consignment. He was there a total of 5 days I believe I have had him for a total of 2 days now. He seems to be adjusting well. I am not pushing him and letting him get used to me at his own pace. Today was the first day that he came to me and "cuddled"! It was really neat! The original owners had him on a pelleted diet of Zupreem Naturals supplimented with fresh veggies and fruits. The pet store has since started giving him a mixture of Zupreem natural and the fruit version as well as giving a little bit of seed (also giving fruits and veggies). I am currently continuing the diet the pet store had him on with the exception of the seed. I am afraid that he is going to get hooked on it and stop eating his pelleted food. I had a Nanday conure in the past that was fed strictly seed prior to me getting him and it was near impossible to get the little bugger to eat pelleted. So anyways, he is coming around wonderfully! He says Hello and does a wide range of whistles! He is awesome. I do have one concern and have already let the pet store know for potential refund since they guaranteed health. His one eye appears to have a problem. Looks like an ulcer or the start of cataracts. It is clouding with a spot in the middle. If I look at the eye front on, it looks like there is a dent in it. To me its a concern! Not so much the pet store. They said if it gets worse then let them know, otherwise, dont worry about it! I feel he needs vet visit to potentially save his vision! So I am calling local exotic vet to get an appointment. Well didnt mean for it to be such a long post! I look forward to learning as much as I can on this forum and meeting all the members. Brad