Please Help =(

[NatJ]

Hello,

 

I got my grey last night from a lady who has had him since 10wks & he was 3 on thursday (3 days ago)....

 

He prefers females & i am one so thats a good start. When i went to veiw him at her house, he was a bit wary of me, but came on my hand & walked up my arm a few times fine.

 

So we get him home last night & he was very quiet, jo told us to jus talk to him thru the cage so i was for the rest of the night. This morning he was tryna open his cage so i let him out, i went to put my hand in for him to step up onto me & he just kept striking at me to bite....

 

In the end he climed out his cage on his own & was looking about. But then wouldnt step up onto my hand for me to put him back like he had at jo's house, & bit me a few times AGAIN.

 

In the end jo had to come round to put him away for me, she walked in & said have u been naughty max?..He nodded his head to say hes, stratrd talking to her, steped right up onto her, was kissing her, making all the noise affectss he knew & saying all the words he knows, it was amazing!!!!

She told him stop being bad max & get back in your cage & he did...

 

I so want him to be like that for me

Jo says keep him for another 2weeks jus to see if he will take to me...

Please please can someone give me some advice on how to bond with max???

[Eshana]

I think even two weeks is too soon to tell!

 

My father is an animal behaviorist, and I've learned that even if it's a bird, a rat, a dog, a cat or even a turtle, they don't like change, and don't adjust to it easily! Give him some time! Talk to him through the cage bars, and let him tell you when it's the right time to interact with him. It could take a few days, it could take a few weeks, or it could even take a few months!

 

I also wouldn't suggest letting the previous owner come over to visit, that can only confuse the bird more.

[NatJ]

Hiya,

 

Thanks for your reply.

Yes u r very right in what in what u r saying..

We left jo a deposit & she said she would do us a 2 week trial to see how we got on with max before paying the full amount

as its alot of money to pass over if you are going to be left with a bird that just wont take to you, it will be unfair on both bird & the new owner (us)

 

I suppose time is all it will take

[Eshana]

Maybe it's the paranoid New Yorker in me, but I don't like the sound of leaving a deposit and only giving a two week trial. If things "don't work out" in the eyes of the previous owner, will she give you the deposit back?

 

I suggest you let her know that it might take more than two weeks for the AG to adjust.

[judygram]

This will take more than 2 weeks for this grey to adjust to his new home and may I suggest that you not allow the previous owner to come to your house while you are trying to bond with him for it is sending mixed signals that when she shows up he is going home with her for he is bonded to her right now.

Another thing is to allow him to come out on his own and do not put your hand inside the cage to get him out for some greys look upon their cage as their safe haven and can become territorial about it so no hands inside the cage unless it is an emergency.

He needs time to settle in and feel comfortable especially so since he is not a just weaned baby who usually adjusts sooner, he is not mature but he is more independent than a baby is and so he needs more time so be very patient with him for it could be quite a while before he comes to view you in the same light as his former owner.

It was a different situation when you were in her home and he came onto your hand as now he is in your home and it is totally a different scenario so take your time, don't push him and he will eventually come around but 2 weeks is just not long when you are dealing with a grey.