About finger nibbling...

[Vamppire]

Just brought home my 4 mo old CAG Spencer today I'm curious about what is "normal" in terms of how hard they nibble on your fingers and if its just too hard, how to discourage it... or will he just chill out on his own after he gets to know me and trust my hand? He likes to check out my fingers when I am close to him or the cage, and also when I try to get him to step on my hand... and while actually holding him as well. I know they will nibble to see if its secure to step on, but he's nibbled hard enough for me to pull away quite a few times, and I have a pretty high tolerance for pain! (it will start off lightly then he will press harder..harder...harder... yikes!)

 

Am I doing something wrong?

 

Other than that he seems to be doing okay for his first day, eating and drinking and checking out his cage and already started to demolish one of his toys.

[judygram]

I think he is just checking things out right now and using his beak to steady himself as he is so young, as he grows if he continues to bite down hard then you can start to teach him that biting down hard is not acceptable and he will learn that less pressure is needed. Greys can be clumsy at this age and he is just making sure he doesn't fall so cut him a little slack for the time being.

I sure would like to see some pictures of Spencer right now, hint, hint!

[Vamppire]

Ok, cutting some slack is no problem! Im just a nervous first-time mommy wanting to make sure *I* wasn't doing anything wrong already lol! And yep, I noticed he's not quite "graceful"... I can relate....

 

here's a quick picture, will definitely post more soon!

 

[Luvparrots]

Congratulations on bringing your baby home. Can't wait to see some pictures and hear more about Spencer. As for nibbling or beaking. When I first got Ana Grey and if she was less than gentle, I would just say, "owie" and tell her to "be nice, be gentle" and stroke her gently on her head or beak. She learned that owie mean she had hurt me and "be nice, be gentle" mean to be nice/gentle. Just find words or gestures that relate a meaning or feeling. They learn very quickly if you are persistent and consistent.

[judygram]

He is a cutie pie all right, thanks for sharing a pic of him with us, some clamp down more so than others, my Josey has never bitten down hard on me, she has been easy going ever since I have had her and she is over 4 years old but each one is an individual and you can work on the beaking hard a little further down the road and who knows when he gets more adept at climbing and perching he might just ease up on his own.

[GoDiego]

Ok, I've not got a Grey but I do have an Amazon parrot who does the same. Using their beak at a young age is like a child putting everything in their mouths, a way for them to explore the world around them. Diego is now 6 months old and I have noticed that his beaking has started to get harder and a bit more frantic, it's like now he has gone past the exploring stage to now thinking of my fingers as play things. I'm starting to discourage any over the top beaking as I have read that this can then lead on to thinking that biting fingers is acceptable.

 

Now when Diego starts to beak my fingers, I distract his attention by giving him a foot toy. If he ignores the foot toy and continues to beak my fingers I say no and put him back on his perch. I've always got some treats in my pockets and so when he sits relaxed on my hand or is being clam and gentle he gets the odd treat for the behaviour. I've been doing this now for a week and I have noticed a difference, he still tries it on, but is not so persistent now at detaching my digets and finger nails. LOL

[Ray P]

Corky did the same thing when she was a baby. When she would do this we would say no bite and when she stoped we say gooood girl and love her up

The only time she will do this know is when she thinks we are not giving the attention she thinks she should have. She is spoiled

[danmcq]

Everyone has given great feedback on how to deal with a young baby learning what is socially acceptable and also how powerful that beak is by applying varied amounts of pressure. They learn by feedback and as long as you are giving it in a way you know he understands whats acceptable or not, you'll be on the right track.

 

You can see the different methods people have used by all the replies. Each Grey is different, so if you find one method doesn't work, try another.

 

Loved the photo, he is a good looking baby grey.

Edited September 25, 2010 by danmcq

[TheKismetGrey]

He's SUCH a cutie!!

(and I love that "new cage" look it will never look that neat again!)

Congrats!

[Vamppire]

Thanks everyone!

[Jingles]

he's a cutie!!!

[djohnson]

He is a cutie. When you have the bird step up try using a flat hand. That may lessen the biting. It worked for Tumnus (affectionately referred to as Mr. T or T-bird). When I got him he would give my fingers hell. The people I got him from were avian specialists and taught me to offer him my flat hand and that saved my fingers! Now, after working with him, I can offer him a couple of fingers to step up on and he hardly bites.