CrazyGreyLover

Great! Thank you so much! Lexy

Very true, thank you!

Thank you so much for your suggestion! The reason she said not to, is because he's expressing some behavioral concerns such as aggression and plucking. Having him above eye level makes this behavior worse and he becomes more aggressive. Thank you again! Lexy

Hello Everyone! So, it's time for a new cage for my grey. He's had his current one for about 7 years and the paint is starting to chip and the metal is beginning to rust in the tray. That makes me nervous, so I've been searching for something but I just can't seem to find a decent one. I can't afford the $700+ cages, although I wish I could because I know they are better quality (his current one was from Amazon.com for under $200). The vet said not to get one with a play top because of his current behavioral concerns. I already have a perch for him so it's not necessary anyway. I keep finding one's that would be perfect if there wasn't play top, or at least a detachable one (for example: https://birdcages4less.com/page/B/PROD/PA5701 ). I've also looked at/ called every local pet store which came up dry. I don't really have a size restriction either. He has a 24"w x 22"d one now, but would prefer larger if possible. If anyone has any suggestions, that would be fantastic. Thank you so much! Lexy

I will have to try that! I know when he jumps off his cage or wherever he is, I don't go to him and pick him up, I just reach down and tell him to come to me or have him follow me. He'll say "Come here, step up?" and I say "Yes, come here" and he comes to me.

Yes, the kitchen is fairly busy throughout the day but at night isn't busy. There unfortunately isn't anywhere else in the house I can put him. When I'm able to move out I feel like he'll be 100x's happier. It's just not that easy or feasible at this point in time. I will have to look up more about training, thank you. I would be more than willing to spend the time to train him but I haven't found anything that works. I will look her up though! I'm not one to give up on something that means this much to me nor could I just give him away. I really and truly appreciate your time and help!!

I do tell him, "NO biting!" when he bites me but this doesn't seem to change anything and will sometimes make him bite more. My family doesn't usually handle him because of the biting and they don't usually play with him but they will talk to him sometimes through the cage. When he allows me to go into his cage to change his food and water, I'm always sure to compliment him and thank him for being a good boy. The only time he really chews his feathers is when he's on his stand. He doesn't seem to like it and he gets into too much trouble when I just allow him to be on top of his cage because he'll start to chew the wall. Thank you Nancy!

Thank you!! I will read more in to that. He's three and a half years old now and he does occasionally make little whimpering noises then proceeds to try and regurgitate his food. I like to take him out as much as possible but I can only really pick him up when he's already out of his cage.

Thank you! I'm going to start making toys for him so he has something different more often. I've given him toys with treats in them but he never actually eats the treats but he'll take them out then drop them and stare at it for a moment.haha. He's silly.

Aww, I do too! Whenever I leave the house for work I say "I'll see you later baby, I love you!" and Bandit replies with "See-ya later!" but then proceeds to start yelling like he's anxious that I'm leaving and it breaks my heart. I'm just not sure why he gets like that, yet gets snippy when I'm around and trying to hang out with him or take him out of his cage.

Thank you for writing! Yes, I've been working 40+ hours since I've had him. He's in the kitchen and for the most part, there's someone home and watching TV or something. He is three and a half years old and he has been clipped since he was a baby. I'll leave a little radio out for him, that's a good idea. Thank you!

Hello everyone! I'm looking for help/ suggestions. Within the past couple of months, Bandit has started biting more. He used to be okay and it was only a playful nip when I would go into his cage to change his food and water, now he climbs to the top/ side of his cage and snaps at me (sometimes to the point of breaking skin). He's also not that great out of the cage. I try to take him out as much as possible when I'm home and he doesn't seem to like it anymore. When he's on his stand he'll start to either bite on his nails, pull a feather out from his shoulder or make noises to get attention. I don't yell at him or scold him when he does this because I'm afraid that if I acknowledge it, it'll get worse and he'll start to pluck. He always has toys to play with, I give him love and affection whenever I'm able to and he's never without food or water. He doesn't really seem to show any other signs of stress because he eats well and he still whistles and talks (a LOT). He gets showers regularly where he really only sits under the water but still seems to enjoy it. Last week I bought him a new food bowl that has a cover over it because he also started to throw his food both with his mouth and his feet. I wanted to also ask if anyone has tried using a hanging bottle for water because he throws his water too and if I'm not home, I don't want him to be without water. I thought this could be resentment from my not being home as much because of work but I'm sure many other CAG owners hold a full-time job (or multiple jobs), working 40+ hours a week. I would love to hear how you do it! I just hate to think he's upset or stressed and would love to hear from you all about how I can help him. Thank you so much for your time!! Lexy and Bandit

Thank you for your response. The perch is sturdy, yes. I've checked it thinking that too. And I wish there were more places to move it. Unfortunately, there isn't much room that I have at my parents. I think it may be the fan which I didn't think of till I saw him moving his head around to it. Even when it's off. I may just put his stand in my room and move some things around. Thanks again.

Hello everyone. It's been a while since I've posted anything. I just wanted to see if anyone else has seen their baby doing this. Whenever I put Bandit on his perch, he seems to become aggravated, ancy and annoyed. Then he starts to pull feathers out only on the right side and biting and pulling at his feet. I like to make sure he gets enough out of cage time because he also tends to get really loud when he hears the TV on in another room and I just want to make sure he's not stuck in there so often(my family also get annoyed with me because I can't "shut him up"). He's got a toy and food on it. I wouldn't call him a plucker because its not that bad. I just wanted to see if anyone else has seen this and what should I do. I feel bad and I don't want him upset or stressed. Thanks! And hope everyone is well.

Thank you Doug! I will have to try that now. And Acapella, I'd have to agree with that one! Thanks!

Those are some awesome points! I'm so glad to find this! I was thinking about what my bird would look like when doing these things and it made me chuckle.haha. Thank you!!

Thank you everyone! It's very nice to hear so many people with so many positive things to say. How truly refreshing! I will be sure to keep everyone posted about what's going on with myself and Bandit! He loves getting his picture taken and always poses for them... Or goes after the camera.hahaha. How does everyone get the pictures at the bottom of every post though? And is there a photo album you can post pictures to? I'm not sure how do to anything like that. I'm going to try to give bandit a shower today because it's going to be really nice out and he's starting to get dusty again. Hes not really a fan though. He just kinda sits under the water and sulks. Then of course after he is happy as can be.haha. I'm hoping he'll eventually start to like them. But maybe after I can get some good pictures! [= Hope everyone is well! I'd love to hear about all of your wonderful Grey stories! Lexy and Bandit

This is a club I'd have to join.haha. Bandit has a tendency to try getting his point accros by biting. Usually it's when he's on top of his cage, and more so when he's climbing on the side of it. Not quite sure why. It's not taller than me so I can just move quicker than him and "sweep him off his feet" so to speak. And he stops. It does become painful. I do remember, however the first bad bite from him. I know it wasn't his fault because he was younger and was just trying to catch himself. But he decided my finger was the place to chomp down on. And when I tried to pull him up he decided he wanted to try to chew my nail off and I had to quickly remove it not with out and rip in my skin and started to bleed pretty badly afterwards. He still does try to get nippy I just give him a quick no and quickly change what he's doing maybe showing him a new toy or something. Does anyone else experience the getting nippy when they're bird is on their cage or on a stand? This is definitely something I'd like to start working on. If anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears. Thank you! Lexy and Bandit

I would just like to start off by thanking each of you from the bottom of my heart for your kind and supportive responses. It's been very tough having to deal with the conditions of this place. For whatever reason, I just can't get it through to my boyfriend that this isn't a good place for us and he doesn't seem to get it, probably because its his parents house and he's so used to it. It's a very hard situation and I'm keeping in mind the harm it's doing to myself and Bandit. I love him so much and just can't take it anymore. I am his main provider and will continue to be. It has helped me a lot to see that my gut feeling is correct. I don't mean to spew my problems but I needed exactly what you've said. As for not having posted, I've never done or been on something like this and honestly was bit nervous at first, as I didnt know reactions I'd get or really how to navigate the site.haha. But I absolutely will be on here a lot more often and will be sure to post more pictures and updates on bandit and myself. I'm actually a photographer so taking photos is what he's used to by now. Thank you again! Lexy and Bandit

Not quite sure how to start this, as I've never posted anything before... But, I've been thinking a lot about moving out of the place I'm in now with my Congo, Bandit. The environment isn't the healthiest for him I feel (Constant cigaret smoke in close proximity, kept in a messy room, LOADS of cats and the occasional loud arguments and loud outside noises, can't get a constant amount of time to sleep. Main issue being the smoke and the sleep.) He's still young only being 16 months old, and I want to bring him into a safer place. I was thinking about maybe just going away for a week with him and see how he reacts. But, I'm not sure if that's even a good thing to do, as I've read a lot about them getting territorial and not liking new places or new arrangements. Basically, I'm a worried mom and want to protect him and take him into a safer and cleaner environment. I can't even walk him around the house with out worrying about a cat going after him (they've tried). If anyone has any suggestions or opinions, I'm open to them. I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing and what's best for him. Thanks you!