BooBaby Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Hi everyone! I'm a new member, I just posted in the Welcome forum. We've only had our baby grey for a few days and we need some advice... Our baby was handfed and socialized by the breeder. We did months worth of research and felt prepared. Yet, we didn't seem to research what to expect right at first. Our baby, Boo, is chewing on us. Not biting aggressively, mind you, but wanting to bite and chew on us. We didn't really expect this. I know that Boo was only used to the breeder and we're complete strangers to him. If anyone has any advice of how long it could take before he'll get used to us... If we should handle him more or less... AND if anyone has any advice on how to divert the biting and chewing. I can't keep him out of this cage long because he doesn't want to sit still, or he wants to start chewing or he even wants to get up on my shoulder. Any and all advice is welcome. We could use all we can get. It won't always be this way, will it? Thanks!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 He is still looking to your fingers as food givers, he remembers the hand feedings and he is also checking everything out. You have to remember they use their beak like we would one of our hands, they are going to explore and he is exploring you. As long as he is not biting then it is ok for a while but if he starts biting down harder then you will have to start telling him firmly "no bite" and he will eventually get the message. But for now he is investigating and I wouldn't worry about it for now. You can always try distracting him with a toy or something like that if you want to divert the biting and chewing. Be sure to check out some of the threads for information on this very thing, just do a search and it will bring up the pertinent ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemyGreys Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 A parrot's highly sensitive beak and tongue are their hands and fingers which they use to explore and even give affection. Young parrots who chew too hard should be quietly told to be gentle or given a foot toy to chew on but never punished for exploring with their beak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 I kept a large supply of popsicle sticks around when Klaus was a baby. Whenever the chewing became annoying I handed him a stick. And, Klaus ended up winning the shoulder war. He's on my shoulder all the time. What can I say, he wore me down! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DUKEdevils36 Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 I think Duke still things my fingers are food...I hand fed him over 6 years ago! I dont mind...its better than a bite!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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