not really new, but feel like it

[Echos_Peeps]

Hey everyone. I have posted before but its been a while. We have had Echoe living with us since last June and I still feel lost where she is concerned. I feel so ridiculously inadequate for this sweet bird. I have researched relentlessly on how to feed her and how to interact with her, but I swear that bird has a mind of her own. For example

 

I was told that Greys need lots of toys. She hates her toys, afraid of most of them and any accidental interest is short lived.

 

I was told lots of fresh water....they need water water water. I see her drink maybe once a day and thats usually when im stressed enough about it that I fill a glass and offer it to her

 

she has complete freedom during the day when we are home, three perching areas, one on the top of the kitchen cabinet door, unlimited access to the whole house. she sits all day. I put her on the floor she paces back and forth and stared longinly at one of her perches, i put her on the counter, she attacks something for a moment then askes to be reperched.

 

 

she used to love showers. after the last one, where she was on her perch and played and played and got super wet, she now refuses to go near the water. any water except the infrequent drink. thats been two weeks. I try every day, never forcing her

 

I know I suck with her cause Im alittle aggressive, not a quiet person, not slow, but I make an effort to gain this kiddos trust daily. I talk to her, train her with the clicker thing, but she still wont be touched and nips often.

 

i know they are all differnt but is she getting enough? Is she happy? what can I do to be sure she is ok? Its like haveing a newborn and i am overwhelmed.

 

How long before she is comfortable enough to become queen of the house? socialization, is that something I can teach her even at 11 mos even tho she is in our presence in one form or another for hours daily, how much more to do to socialize her.

 

Thankyou guys for any advice.

[Echos_Peeps]

guys just realiΩed I posted about Echoe not long ago. Sorry. Its been a crazy month and I must have forgotten. In that post she seemed to be doing well. She still is. I jsut been doing lots of reading nad youtube watching, mainly birdtricks.com and wow am I so far behind. so still advice is appreciated. thank you again and sorry for reposting that update!

[judygram]

I think the answer here is already provided by none other than yourself with the statement, "I'm a little agressive" you are probably not giving her enough time and certainly not patient enough with her when working with her. Greys cannot be rushed or pushed into anything, I think you need to settle back and let her dictate when she is ready to interact with you.

As far as toys, maybe you just haven't tried the right kind of toy yet, some greys love shredable toys, some wooden, some leather or rope, some will turn their beak up at one toy and accept another and be sure to introduce new toys slowly for they dread new ones for they think they are gonna attack and eat them.

Since you grey is still alive and kicking then I assume she is drinking water, you may not see her do it but she does or she wouldn't live too long. It doesn't take long to take a sip or two of water and move on and I know you can't be watching her every minute of the day.

Maybe she is more of a perch potato than an active playing grey, some are like that, she would just rather sit and observe her world preening a little along the way while others would rather go from branch to branch playing with their toys.

Maybe she decided she no longer wants to shower or it is possible that something happened the last time that caused her to no longer enjoy them, who knows what goes on in a grey's brain.

Maybe you are being too agressive with the training right now, cut that back or out for the time being and see if things improve, she needs to feel comfortable and maybe you are pushing too much too soon for her. Also she is becoming more independent now as she gets older, she is making her own decisions and maybe she has decided you are being too pushy so back off some.

Socialization is more of having all members of the household interact with and handle her so she is less likely to become a one person bird, letting visitors to the home talk and interact with her if she allows it and maybe taking her to places so she sees other people besides just the immediate family.

I think you are doing pretty well but you need to be less aggressive with her, take it easy and slow and make patience your best friend.

Take a look thru the bird food room for ideas of what to feed her and what she should be getting as far as nutrition.

[Echos_Peeps]

Judy, I love that you are always there to answer. I needed a good kick in the butt. I am practicing being less pushy with her. Actually training is training me that. She gets only about 15 minutes once or twice a day, and I am learning much more than she is. I don't mean to push her, but in trying to do things i think she needs or give her things she needs, i end up freaking her out. it really isn't helping the trust issue. I can back off. no prob as long as i am not unintentionally neglecting any emotional or pychological need she may have.

 

I love hearing that some greys are perch potatoes. I can certainly live with that as long as its something that she is happy with and not something I should be trying to discourage. I want her to do what she wants and to be happy.

 

if socialization is about household interaction, than she gets enough of that certainly, even from the family cat. she should not become a one person bird. she loves visitors actually, and even whistles and calls to the school kids as they walk home from the bus stops.

 

she recently got to see a flock of robins foraging in the front yard. that freaked her out alot more that the occasional visit from the UPS guy!LOL

 

well great then! Echoe is a okay!! im not in advertantly making my girl miserable!! she will only become more happy now as I stop trying to make her happy and just let her be happy!!!

Thank you Thank you!!

[judygram]

well great then! Echoe is a okay!! im not in

advertantly making my girl miserable!! she will only become more happy now as I

stop trying to make her happy and just let her be

happy!!!

You got it!