Bigger cage?

[Tosha]

Hello!

I have bought a new cage for Anton. http://www.rhrquality.com/wp-content/gallery/kooien/00021bigben.jpg

 

As you can see it is very big and I would like to know your opinion.

I have had Anton for 1 month now and we are still building our relationship and now it is very fragile. He is a a little afraid of hands after his 2 previous owners and of course he is trying to avoid any contact, except when I give him sunflower seeds or nuts (he eats pellets normally). And he can be aggressive when he is in his cage, tries to bite my fingers when I close the door and when my hands are inside, but hasn't had chance to do it yet, I am very quick.

So my question is, can a bigger cage effect him and make our relationship even harder to build, because he will have a chance to hide at the back of the cage (it is a corner cage, so if he decides to stay away from me, he will be able to do it)

I would appreciate your opinions!

Thanks

[judygram]

I don't think the size of the cage will matter in building your relationship with him and may I suggest you allow him to come out of the cage on his own without sticking your hands inside to get him. Some greys are territorial about their cage, it is their safe haven and do not like anyone putting their hands inside, just open his door and let him come out and then have him step up.

At this time I would just concentrate on building trust without using your hands if he fears them, sit by his cage and talk softly to him, read him the newspaper or a magazine, maybe offer him a treat, this will take some time and patience on your part and just take it slowly and go at his pace. He will come around and it is important not to push him for more than he is willing to give, let him be the judge of when he is ready for more.

[Tosha]

Judygram, thanks for the reply!

I am not even dreaming of taking him our of the cage using hands. But sometimes it is necessary to put my hands in. The food and water bowls are inside the cage now, so I have to take them out and put them in. In the new cage I will be able to do it from outside.

He gets treats during the day all the time and he doesn't have any problems with it and of course I talk to him and sing songs.

[Tosha]

Hi everyone!

This is me again It has been 6 months since I wrote this post and it is amazing to see how things are now!

Now, whenever I come to Anton's cage he says "UP!" which means that I have to open the cage and take him out. He is a completely different bird now and our relationship is great! He still can be a bit angry if I touch his toys and food, but if I tell him to calm down, he lets me touch them and does not try to bite. Most of the time I can convince him to do something or to stop doing something if I don't like it.

So if you have a grey that is the same as Anton used to be, all you need is patience, time and love and you will get a perfect bird! I look at our relationship not as "an owner - a pet", but as "an adult - a child". He deserves respect and freedom to take his own decisions, but he needs my supervision!

 

So the conclusion is: A bigger cage doesn't make it harder to build a good relationship!

[SusanBarnes7]

Tosha,

 

What did you do to win Anton's trust? I'd love to hear about it. I have two CAG's that I am working with.

 

Susan

[Luvparrots]

Great update of yours and Anton's progress!!! You are so right, time and patience and lots of love are the right recipe for re-homed parrots! Great job!!! I am eager to hear more!

[Vumes]

Great to hear that you and Anton are making progress. I love that cage by the way. I have it for Annie, and it has been absolutely great! I want another cage just like it for Lucy.