Clumsy to SURE FOOTED??

[Guest]

When do Grey's become sure footed? Maggie seems to be a little "clumsy" in her movements. She is still young (12 weeks) so I assume this is to be expected at this time but just wondering if I should help her along in anyway or do they just find their groove?

Thanks-Lori

[kins2321@yahoo.com]

12 weeks is very young. Think of a newborn infant, that can't even hold up their head. A 12 week old,, is very clumsy, has minimal perception of space... will crash if can even fly. I don't know, since I got Sophie at two. I'm just answering on when I had a 16 week old Amazon! Kiki our Amazon, also got in trouble, while climbing in her cage, she was so awkward!!!!!I think most birds are pretty similiar in the beginning. Satisfy the oral stage, make a plan for diet.Safety, should be on your radar. Plug electrical outlets, remove cords that they can choke on. Enjoy your baby! Next on your radar should be the plan to practice " stepup". Its a must. I am not big on putting my fingers in their cage. I always practiced stepup off their door.Of course now I can put my fingers in their cage, don't even have to say " stepup"... but I always respected their space in the beginning and did all my training " away" from the cage. Nancy

[Guest]

Well that is good news. I was beginning to think I had a twin since I myself am all thumbs at times. Thank you.

[2birds]

My girl is just going on 20 weeks and she is finally starting to be more sure footed. She was pretty clumsy when I brought her home at 16 weeks. The cage was pretty new to her when she first came home so I don't know if it was related to that or if she was just still in her clumsy stage. I'm sure your Maggie will find her groove just fine.

[kins2321@yahoo.com]

We have a family room that is like a " football field!" WAY too big... but it sure is a great room to practice flying! One person to send off for flight, the other to receive. We practiced this with Kiki, but eventually had to practice with Nancy Sophie, as she couldn't fly when we got her at age two. Sometimes they over shot and crashed into the window. I put silly decals in the window, for them to figure out " this is the end zone!" They actually made a difference!

[Guest]

kins2321--The breeder clipped Maggie's wings. I wish they hadn't at such a young age. Eventually that would be something I would love to teach her.

[kins2321@yahoo.com]

Many breeders do. Let her grow her feathers back and learn how to fly. Baby needs to develop chest muscles. I am all for a baby learning how to fly, but in the next breath, I am all for " trimming" feathers back, when the baby is out of control! I am NEVER for clipping! When entering terrible two's, I am not opposed with letting my trimmer know what my goals are! My trimmer could trim them to fly anywhere I wanted! I wanted Sophie to fly within two rooms. He delivered. She could fly, but took time to hang with me and learn things.

I always wanted my birds to have " free flight", " free cages", but it was a slow process. Nancy

[Inara]

One thing to be aware of is that if and when you take your grey to get its talons trimmed, make sure to tell the groomer to just buff off the very tips. If done too short, it will impede your bird's grip ability and can contribute to a sense of imbalance both on the perch and upon your arm.

[Guest]

At this point the breeder clipped her wings and nails but she does " fly" or flutter from her tree perch to the couch. At first it was to the floor and made me so nervous. Now she seems to land on the couch or the dogs bed. Smart. Lol. She will step up when she wants to but she seems to take a quick step up and then quickly flutters to my chest and then up to my shoulder. I keep doing short training sessions with her to learn the step up but she is reluctant. She loves to be close to neck mostly under my hair a bit. She is very leery around men. The breeder had all women working with her. I will let her wings grow out and see how it goes.