Hi! Potential new owner here!

[Pilchards]

I've kept smaller parakeets for about 15 years now, indoors to begin with, now have a small breeding aviary with cockatiels, kakariki, rosella and budgies.

Keep getting offered new stock from those who need rehoming but now have been offered a supposedly tame African Grey.

I believe in doing as much research as possible before getting a new pet, so a Google search led me here!

Obviously I couldn't keep it in my aviary as not only will it be a LOT bigger than my motley lot, but would destroy my wooden aviary.

 

Would look into getting it some form of outdoor play area for the summer anyway but what are they like to keep?

Its supposed to be tame but am prepared for a bit of a settling in period and nipping as it settles.

 

Are they particularly chewy birds? How much attention does it need? I know how intelligent they are supposed to be, so will make sure it is properly stimulated but during the day when everyone is at work, it would need to live in a cage.

It comes with a cage although I'm not sure of the size wise, but could someone perhaps link me to a decent brand/make so I can replace it if needed? This also goes with an outdoor area, I've been banned (boo hiss, mean OH) from building a separate aviary for it to play in, but would there be something I could maybe use for temp use outside while the weather is good and to allow him a change of scenery? Although I've read that they can be nervous so may not like going outside?

 

Do they bond strongly with people? My OH is scared of birds and I know of some species that get "jealous" if they see other birds/people spending too much time with "their" humans, so wouldn't be fair on either if it causes friction.

 

Any other info would be great before I say yes or no to it!

[judygram]

Hello Pilchards and welcome to our family.

You are doing the right thing to find out all you can before you make the final decision to take this grey, they aren't like some birds that you can leave in their cage all the time, they need time out and with their human flock. The cage should be located where the family spends most of their time when home for they want to be a part of what is going on in the home.

Yes they are chewers but if you provide some toys and things to chew on they will be less likely to chew on furniture and such, a separate cage from the other birds is a must as he/she may not get along with the other birds and they need one they can call their own, their safety zone.

They do tend to bond with one person unless you socialize them well with the entire family, even though he might pick out a favorite it doesn't mean the rest of the family can't have a good relationship with him, maybe just a different one.

We have a lot of threads here with loads of information, firsthand experience, that will help in making your decision so continue to read thru them and ask any questions you may have and we will try to help you in any way we can.

[Pilchards]

Hey thanks I've been having a read on some of the other sub-forums. I picked up on something on one of the threads about parrots having a greeting/contact call. Never thought about it before but my aviary flock always greet me with a whistle that I copy when I go out in the morning to feed them.

I'd def be keeping it separate from the others. The budgies rule the aviary and do tend to bully the others - even the rosellas which I'd read about being aggressive. The cockatiels are complete wusses but beak sizes are very different when it comes to mini-squabbles! The kaks would probably try and use it as a climbing frame which also probably wouldn't go down well!

 

I'm thinking of keeping it in my backroom/kitchen. I'm aware of the problems with fumes, but its two large rooms knocked into one and an extension added, so should provide enough ventilation and be a reasonable distance from anything to diffuse. Ideally I'd work on getting it used to being handled by others once its become used to me and its new surroundings although I fear it may pick up on OH's nervousness (he's got loads better with the aviary birds but still worries about things sitting on him, or flying at him, but can't risk him getting bitten and it turning into a vicious circle.)

 

Toys I guess would be trial and error to see what it prefers to play with? Only the kakariki's like toys and the cocktails just like willow stickss they can destroy but the others are not fussed so will be trial and error.

 

Busy few days of reading ahead I think :)

[aerial.2000]

Best thing to do is your research indeed. Keeping them in a backroom? Does that mean like just for sleeping and stuff? I keep Marco out in my living room. She has even started to bark like the dogs when people come and go from the house lol. You definately want a place for your bird in the same room you are in!! They are alot of work but Im sure you know that with your other flock. Marco isnt allowed to "chew" on anything but her stuff including toys and foods etc. And it doesnt take them long at all to destroy anything lol. I have a variety of toys that I have made to ones I have bought.

Reading thru these threads and forums is an excellent way to start. There is a thread on cages I believe too!