Youngster Nipping

[GreenT]

Hi,

 

Wow, so many questions here that I have..

 

We've just gotten Cookie about 3 days ago, but wow, she is young (5 or 6 months), yet she is nippy indeed. When you reach into her cage she growls a bit and then nips at your finger. I try to not really react as I have heard that is best. But she does go on your hand fine.

 

Once I have her on my hand and am holding her she also nips your fingers pretty often. Holds onto them til you turn your hand so she looses her grip.

 

Should I try just putting in her cage right away when she does this? So she learns that when she nips as you are holding her she will simply get put back? She does love coming out of her cage so perhaps she will learn?

 

Thoughts?

 

And what about the growling when you reach in the cage to her does anyone else have that going on?

[BMustee]

For only having her 3 days i would leave her alone for awhile. The growls and nips could be a sign of being scared. There are a number of posts on here about the first few days with your grey, you should check them out. I put two posts links below for you.

 

 

http://www.greyforums.net/forums/african-grey/35417-bringing-home-the-baby.html

 

http://www.greyforums.net/forums/african-grey/37515-help.html

[Laurie]

I never reach into Klaus' cage to get him out. I open the door and he comes out by himself.

I'm no expert, but I take a nip to mean, "I don't like what you're doing ... knock it off!" So, if it's not essential (ie you're late for an appt and have to put him away) I would back off. On the other hand, I don't think the bird should always get his way through nipping. Your house will be chaos! Use your judgement and decide when it's worth taking a nip and continue whatever you're doing to let him know who's in charge. I'm a firm believer in mutual respect, you should each get your way about 1/2 the time. My husband wears a glove so that Klaus can actually be put away when it's time for him to go to work. (We work opposite shifts, so I'm not there to bail him out.) Also, I read in my parrot book that you should always approach with your hand from the side/back of the bird, not the top/front. A top/front approach puts them on the defensive and they'll bite without even thinking about it. Works for me!

[WilsonsMum]

Cookie sound very young, Im new to birds myself and have only had Wilson for 8 weeks, he is 2 years and 7 months but he knows what 'dont bite' means. i guess its like children, keep telling them and showing them and they learn. If Wilson takes hold of my finger and i say 'dont bite' firmly he lets go, i follow this closely with 'good boy' and lots of head tickling. it works for us.

good luck

Sarah x