Hi! We want to get a grey but we are not too sure, a little help...

[StephC]

Hi, I would really like to get a grey! We have a lovebird right now and the breeder we got her from is awaiting a clutch of grey eggs right now and when they arrive one is for us! My only worry is that we have two young children, my son is 4 and my daughter is 2, they are well behaved, my daughter a little less so lol! Is this a bad idea?

[judygram]

Hello StephC and welcome to our family, sure you can make it work if you are determined to bring a grey into your house and keep the children away from the bird for the time being until they get old enough to interact with the bird. Young children are usually loud and very quick moving and that tends to make greys nervous and the bird might deliver a bite if the kids get too close but we have other members who have young children and their birds and them make it work.

I am sure you have done your research on greys and know what to expect but if not please do read thru the many threads here for lots of information that will help you with that new grey.

[JillyBeanz]

Hi and welcome to our family! As Judy says - I don't trust Harvey with my nieces who are 2 and 5. He has this real fascination with them - and I am sure would definitely bite them, given the chance. I've had some pretty hard bites in my time from Harvey, and I really feel he could do some damage. To be honest, the time and effort it takes to bring up a grey is massive - you can't just leave them to their own devices, and I know how difficult bringing up a couple of kids is too. I always wanted a grey, but chose to bring one home when the kids were in their teens and less needy of me!

 

Mind you - there is also the joy and love that a grey brings (when they feel like it)! Looking forward to hearing more about you. Jill x

[Luvparrots]

I have three parrots and several young grandchildren. When the grandkids are over, except for the older ones (10 years and 21 years) I keep my parrots, including my grey in their room or cages, their beaks are just too damaging, why take the chance of an accident.

[Guest Kali_the_Destroyer]

I've heard of Greys being jealous of children, and biting them. I guess it depends on how you bring the bird up, how strict you are with the bird & the children.

I don't have children of my own, but my nieces & nephews are often round (noisy little things, aged 2-8). Kali hates the youngest (screamiest) ones and puts her hackles up and growls at them. She seems to like the middle one, who is 7 - she just took to him (possibly because he had a bowl of cornflakes which he let her share).

 

She has been into school twice with me (bring your parrot to work day!) and she's really good with the children, has never bitten them or been flustered. She takes it in her stride and accepts peanuts from them.

 

She used to be a biter, she tried it on with my partner for several months: he'd show her his hand and she'd bite it. He'd shout ... what a great game! I would give her 'time out' on the floor if she bit, and say "no biting" (which she now says herself, lol). What worked in the end was getting my partner to not pull his bitten hand AWAY, but to gently push towards her as she was biting. He was sceptical, and scared, but it worked. He only had to do that twice, and she's never bitten him again. She isn't fond of him like she is me, but she will allow him to handle her.

 

Good luck with whatever you decide

[hammco]

I have a 4 and 1 year old and I dont have any problems! I have to keep an eye out tho cause the beak WILL deliver quite the punch. My grey usually gets higher up in the cage or gets on top when the kids get too close, I guess he is avoiding getting hurt! If you ask me, the birds are like a dog, both bite and may be unpredictable at times, so just keep a sharp eye out and all will be good! Good Luck!