Breezy2013 Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 Quick question for you guys. Breezy loves to sit up top of his cage but it is above my eye level. Some on here have said that wont promote aggression in a grey to let him sit up high. Others say not to let them do so. He always steps up when he climbs up there when I take him off without nipping. Think he really likes it there and his breeder let him do so so I know he prefers it. Would it hurt or make him more comfortable and make the adjustment easier if I let him do it. He does try to leave the play pen occasionally to get to his cage. He seems to feel secure on his cage. Sometimes I wonder if the whole theory is bunk about hight and domenance. My macaw has gotten up to the top of her cage occasionally too and she has never, ever bitten me. Dont really think parrots base their heirarchies on dominance anyways. I could be totally wrong just my observation after having them for many years. I have found if I respect them they dont usually bite to hurt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timbersmom Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 I know there are different opinions on this. My experience is like yours. Timber likes to get on top of his cage too, and is higher than I am. He steps up just as readily and doesn't bite more readily when on top of the cage. In fact, when he goes to the top and comes over to where I am on the edge, it is my signal to come get him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvparrots Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 (edited) My parrots enjoy the top of their cages, I assume because they get a total view of the area. I do not have any more trouble getting them from there then anywhere else. Edited December 7, 2013 by luvparrots Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 Birds do like the high perch for obvious reasons but I haven't had any problems with Josey being higher than me, just go about getting your grey to step up from a high position the same as you do with them at any height, if you are confident about it then you shouldn't have any problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave007 Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 Quick question for you guys. Breezy loves to sit up top of his cage but it is above my eye level. Some on here have said that wont promote aggression in a grey to let him sit up high. Others say not to let them do so. He always steps up when he climbs up there when I take him off without nipping. Think he really likes it there and his breeder let him do so so I know he prefers it. Would it hurt or make him more comfortable and make the adjustment easier if I let him do it. He does try to leave the play pen occasionally to get to his cage. He seems to feel secure on his cage. Sometimes I wonder if the whole theory is bunk about hight and domenance. My macaw has gotten up to the top of her cage occasionally too and she has never, ever bitten me. Dont really think parrots base their heirarchies on dominance anyways. I could be totally wrong just my observation after having them for many years. I have found if I respect them they dont usually bite to hurt. *********Sometimes I wonder if the whole theory is bunk about hight and domenance. ********* You're totally right. Most parrots prefer being high up (lots of species). The reason is because they're parrots. Many other types of birds like to be higher up but as far as parrots, in the wild being higher up allows them to spot predatory birds long before they arrive. That gives them time to excape to areas which they can also see. In the home, training a bird to step up should include *stepping up* from all high, low or any area in between. If a bird doesn't step on to the finger, it's only because it's easier to avoid that finger because it simply likes it up on the cage. If you wanna have the bird go back in the cage, simply put a small favorite nut or treat in the bowl in the cage. He'll come to it. A parrot likes the freedom from a cage. Freedom can create a more well rounded personality. He's free, happy, can play with toys, can go on a playstand, can fly a bit, can definitely exersize it's wings. If a bird is a biter, it's not because he's higher than the person. That person isn't a predator. The person is the care taker. I personally believe that you shouldn't change him and the breeder deserves a pat on the back for his ideas about giving his birds some freedom. Like I said, it's just my opinion. I have greys on their cages and sometimes they try to nip me when I wanna retreive them. It simply doesn't bother me. It can bother other people. Actually, that's how the *higher up* nonsense was started. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breezy2013 Posted December 7, 2013 Author Share Posted December 7, 2013 All he does to me is test my hand with my beak before stepping down to me. He wants to make sure my hand is a secure perch. That is not the same as biting. He did bite me kind of hard the first night I had him because he didnt know me and it was nothing like my macaw biting me so maybe he is biting and it just isnt bothering me much. Doesnt hurt, anyways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave007 Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 (edited) All he does to me is test my hand with my beak before stepping down to me. He wants to make sure my hand is a secure perch. That is not the same as biting. He did bite me kind of hard the first night I had him because he didnt know me and it was nothing like my macaw biting me so maybe he is biting and it just isnt bothering me much. Doesnt hurt, anyways. Well, the biggest complaint from people concerning higher up on cage usually has to do with biting. That's what I thought you wanted to know about---sorry, but it' always good to know about for the future. Edited December 7, 2013 by Dave007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breezy2013 Posted December 7, 2013 Author Share Posted December 7, 2013 Just know they CAN really bite very hard if they want to so want to prevent problems. He is young, only three months old. Still a baby. Just want to do the right thing with him. So far he has been really great. His breeder did awesome with him and he adjusted to us so fast. He is really friendly and confident. She is a really small scale breeder, gives them all tons of attention so I want to make sure he stays nice. Had an amazon before never a handfed grey so I am learning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRSeedBurners Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 I can tell you this about our Caique: I got lazy one day and just put him to bed in a cage that was on the floor. Talk about a pissed off bird the next day. Higher is better and they'll just be generally more relaxed. That's our experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miffy Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Teach him to fly to you when you call him (recall training) and it won't really be a problem having him up high where you can't reach him. Birds feel safer up high, I wouldn't be worried about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaileysPapa Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 My Bailey's cage has a playgym on top, which he loves. The highest perch is above our heads. And never gives me trouble about coming down. He always lets me think that I am flock leader. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breezy2013 Posted December 8, 2013 Author Share Posted December 8, 2013 That is nice they let us think we are in charge because we all know in reality they are the ones that rule the house, not us. Lol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brat Birds Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 I agree - it is nice that they let us think we are in charge! LOL Since I am 4'10' almost every place in my home is higher than me! LOL I, too, have trained them to come on command so I have no problem getting them down if I need to. I do think since Peanut (TAG) has become cage territorial I might have a problem reaching my hand up to him. Glad I don't have to find out!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breezy2013 Posted December 9, 2013 Author Share Posted December 9, 2013 @ Brat Birds, am not much taller than you and will most likely be reaching up to get the little guy a lot. Lol! He is pretty good about letting me get him no matter where he is. Hopefully he stays that way even when he gets older. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kins2321@yahoo.com Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 I for one, struggled with the " higher perch thing." I would get bit if they were taller. But it doesn't matter what others experience. If it works for you... thats what you need to do. All birds are different. Do what works for you! Nancy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffNOK Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 I am 6ft4 and Gracie is rarely higher than me unless we visit my parents house, and she flies to the top of the blinds. When I go to get her she steps up gently. I don't think height factors into her psychology. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grumpy Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 I do agree that, if bird's properly trained, the height doesn't matter. The top of my new bird's cage is above my eye level, and he readily steps up if I'm confident that he should do it. The same applies if he is atop of the room doors, the spot he favours while having his free flight across the room. However if he does try to bite, or better to say is about to, I just raise my voice and he readily does what I want him to ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breezy2013 Posted December 18, 2013 Author Share Posted December 18, 2013 So far he has been good. Working with him several times a day on his stepping up and down. Maybe that's why. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kins2321@yahoo.com Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 Step up and step down... is one of the most important thing, you can teach a bird. Grumpy... disagree with your belief " If properly trained"... You are saying, I haven't properly trained my bird. I beg to differ!I would NEVER raise my voice to my birds. You just scare them. Nancy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grumpy Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 Step up and step down... is one of the most important thing, you can teach a bird.Grumpy... disagree with your belief " If properly trained"... You are saying, I haven't properly trained my bird. I beg to differ!I would NEVER raise my voice to my birds. You just scare them. Nancy The "voice raising" goes just to the acceptable level, should be well balanced of course. I've never scared him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now