Introducing my New Congo!

[bran]

Hi everyone! I would like to introduce my new 9 year old Congo "shasta" (to be renamed). He is a beautifulcongo, and on the large side. He was brought to my home by his previous owners (they wanted to meet my Timneh, and I'm sure make certain he was going to a good place). I put him in the bedroom and not out in the living room, so he can have a sense of security, and not feel thrown in the mix right away. Dexter my timneh doesnt really seem to care that there is another bird in the house (yet) and is just going on about his merry business. I can't wait to see what this little guy has to offer our family, and all the spoiling I can give him.

 

I am curious of introducing the two... as in time line. What has worked for some others in that department? Tips would be greatly appreciated.

[judygram]

Well hello Shasta, for now, he is a beautiful grey, now you have a Cag to go with your Tag, Dexter might not notice him now but he will soon enough and it will be interesting how they get along if at all but time will tell.

Are you doing the quarantine period?

For tips on how to introduce the two I am including a link to a thread that deals with that very subject, you might be able to get some useful advice from it.

http://www.greyforums.net/forums/showthread.php?192137-Can-you-say-YOSHI

[Luvparrots]

I have a very jealous 2 1/2 year old TAG who I will be introducing a 4 month old CAG to shortly, so I am curious to find out what works for others also. Ana Grey will be the smallest for my four parrots but she has always been the feistious ( is that even a word) of the lot.

[bran]

Hi there! Thanks so much for responding!!

I am doing a brief quarantine period, Shasta has recently been to the vet 6 or 7 months ago, and there were no issues. The main things I am focusing/concerned over are :

 

1. He has been very territorial over his cage, according to his previous owner... very territorial. Where I am from, when a horse doesn't get out of his pen in the stable, he will automatically want to return there, and for that matter not want to leave. The term for this behavior we use is "barn sour" so i guess in this instance the term is "cage sour" lol. Dexter my TAG was when I first got him, but he eventually got over it. Shasta on the other hand seems VERY agressive in regards to cage distance. He even will attempt to strike if you open the door, or feed him. I have been just sweet talking him... and basically leaving him alone in my bedroom with the door open. I figure let him settle in, and we can see what tomorrow brings.

 

2. Shasta has been owned by a woman for the past six years... and DID NOT like her husband. While we were there, he seemed happy, and stepped up onto the arm, however she was in the room. The husband was actually not allowed to handle him, because he gets extrememly agressive with him. Is this something that I am going to have to be concerned over? Since my partner and I are both males... I was hoping that the "people are people" and the sex doesn't necessarily matter. Am I wrong for being optomistic?

 

 

Okay... now I know these seem like "basic" questions, and I may know the answers, but sometimes it's nice to bounce ideas off of people, and get different perspectives. Because I plan on making Shasta a part of my home permanantley I want to do the best job integrating him and making it a very easy transition for everyone. I have the ultimate faith in the members of this forum, and have seen some amazing insight and advice! Thanks again! brandon

[lino]

Hi everyone! I would like to introduce my new 9 year old Congo "shasta" (to be renamed). He is a beautifulcongo, and on the large side. He was brought to my home by his previous owners (they wanted to meet my Timneh, and I'm sure make certain he was going to a good place). I put him in the bedroom and not out in the living room, so he can have a sense of security, and not feel thrown in the mix right away. Dexter my timneh doesnt really seem to care that there is another bird in the house (yet) and is just going on about his merry business. I can't wait to see what this little guy has to offer our family, and all the spoiling I can give him.

 

I am curious of introducing the two... as in time line. What has worked for some others in that department? Tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

wow, a 9 year old grey...he is beautiful !

is it clipped?

[bran]

wow, a 9 year old grey...he is beautiful !

is it clipped?

 

thank you! He is clipped.

[BenzMama]

Congrats on adding a CAG to your family! He is a beauty. May he enrich your home to the fullest.

 

When we got our 3rd CAG, it took Dorian 3 mos to come out of his cage. While he wasn't nearly as aggressive as what you describe, he was quick to let us know if we had intruded beyond his comfort zone. Patience! We always spoke softly when coming near & told him exactly what we were doing. While in the room, we would open his door just like we did for the other 2. (On a side note, we always maintained the pecking order by 1st opening Jewel's door as she was in our home 1st, then Toby, then Dorian ... same with feeding, etc.) For over 2 mos, Dorian would simply retreat to the far top rear of his cage while his door was open. He would watch & listen intently. Patience! When he saw evening treats being passed out, he finally began coming closer to his open door. He began to take tidbits from my hand. Progress! Much praise was given & he enjoyed that just as much as he did pistachios. Now after just under 6 mos, he will immediately come out when his door is opened. He still prefers to spend most of his time out sitting on his door ~ but now talking & singing along as I continue to patiently talk & interact with our flock.

 

As for gender preference for your new CAG, I have no words of wisdom. All I know is regarding our 3 & their former primary caregivers ~ 1 where the wife was, 1 where a man was, and 1 where care was shared equally between the husband & wife. Now? As I'm home with them all day, I can get them all to respond to me quicker than my hubby ... like when Toby has to be picked up as he's intently chasing the tail of our little Pom. IMO, it seems to be more of having trust built up rather than just gender preference.

 

Please keep us posted on how things progress!

[bran]

the really interesting part is... he won't retreat to the back of his cage, he is front and center, and watching like a pit bull in a junk yard. I am going to try and have some reading alone time with him this evening. I will say he wouldn't take treats from the previous owners husband, and he will take treats from me. Thanks for your great advice.

[Greymatter]

Welcome Shasta!

 

I do agree to wait the quarantine period & until all his vet checks come back clear.

 

I boarded with a friend once who also had a grey, and they basically talked back & forth all day once Dakota was used to Merlin being in the household. Unfortunately my friend's grey wasn't very social, so they didn't play beaks on with each other, but could be out at the same time.

 

Good luck with the intros!