tonyg8s Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 Hi All, Firstly id like to say hello. I have been after an african grey for a long time now and finally last weak i brought one from a bird store. His name is Charlie and to begin with when i got him home for a 14 week old baby he bit quite oftern and quite hard. I reasured him and settled him down and said "No Charlie" when he bit and this seamed to have worked. He would come up onto my hand and out of the cage and he would let me stroke his head and he would sit on my shoulder and let me stroke him head to tail. I thought all was going well but as a few days went on he has become more aggresive and wont let people near him or his cage without going to bite fingers and hands.I have to admit he does not bite as hard as the first few days but he is not as soft as what he was. Am i expecting to much to early? He will stand on my fingers and arm to feed thats not a problem its just when i try to get him out of his cage and stoke him he gets angry and bites. Any Suggestions guys or tips for a 15 week old CAG p.s he hates his toys i put in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarnold Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 Hi tonyg8s i'm not the expert here but I would say just give him time. Sit by the cage and talk or read to him but dont push him to fast. Let him do it at his own pace. This is a great forum with great people. It wont take long to get the advice you need.<br><br>Post edited by: tarnold, at: 2008/08/15 22:12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kittykittykitty Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 I'm going to repeat what has been said a "zilion times" to me, that is, "patience, patience, patience." And "slow and easy!" Chalie is still very young and it will take time and PATIENCE! I know others can help you more than I!!! :ohmy: B) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemyGreys Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 Hi Tonyg8s & Welcome to the forum. It's very early days for you both,charlie needs time to gain your trust,only stroke him when he lowers his head for a scratch,dont force touching on to him..I have included a few links for you to have a read through http://www.greyforums.net/forums/the-nursery/72855-bringing-home-your-baby-grey.html http://www.greyforums.net/forums/the-nursery/73094-socializing-your-baby-grey.html http://www.greyforums.net/forums/the-nursery/73105-teaching-your-baby-to-play.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyg8s Posted August 16, 2008 Author Share Posted August 16, 2008 thanks all for your quick replies, I just think i am expecting things to be to easy. I just dont want to think that i'v bought a young baby who is going to grow up nasty or do most babies act like this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemyGreys Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 All babies are different,a big factor is how well your baby was handled & socialized in his first few weeks of life,i believe this plays a big part in their confidence,but take it slow,have patience & you will develop a great relationship with charlie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyg8s Posted August 16, 2008 Author Share Posted August 16, 2008 thanks all for your quick replies, I just think i am expecting things to be to easy. I just dont want to think that i'v bought a young baby who is going to grow up nasty or do most babies act like this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzzique Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 Tony welcome to the forums! As lovemygreys said just give it time. Some babys are super easy Alex was. But others need time and to be tought. I wonder about the toys. Do you think he hates them because he ignores them or because he is beating them up? It could also be that he is a bit afraid of them. Again time is your friend here. A suggestion that I have heard alot is to add a half perch to the door of the cage. Have him step up onto that perch before letting him out. This way he doesn't feel you are invading his space. Also just like real babys he maybe pushing you to see what he can get away with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slmclean Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 welcome tony my grey bit me alot to when i first got here but i just kept trying and saying no bite which she responds to very well, after i get her out alot of times she doesnt want to be scatch right off the bat so i wait til she lets me know she wants to. hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 Tony8s, welcome here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyg8s Posted August 16, 2008 Author Share Posted August 16, 2008 Thanks again for the re asurrance he is certaintly not afraid to come out of the cage and does come up onto my hand after a lot of persuasion i have found he likes monkey nuts so i am getting him to come out and eat the nuts on my hand he likes that but if i go to give him a head rub he moves away or bites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cagal08 Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 Just like everyone else has said be patient and he will come around and learn you are his friend. It sounds like to me that Charlie was handfed and then put back in the cage and not messed with at the store , which is very common in pet stores. Most home based breeders handle their birds more because they have the time. Greys are super intellegent and don't forget too much so take things slow with Charlie and don't rush him into wanting to be handled. Patience pays off eventually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinyTimneh Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 hi and welcome to this forum first off. As others have said, have patience. You and your grey will get to know each other and there will be times where you will get bitten or disobeyed-- parrots are like that, they have their stages just like kids. Your little guy is still a baby and is new, so he's probably pretty scared and unsure of himself. It would take me writing a book to explain all the things you need to know about african greys and handling them (they're different in terms of most parrots) so i suggest you get yourself some good reputable books and start reading (I would recommed 'A Guide Companion Parrot Behaviour' and 'Guide to a wellbehaved parrot' by Mattie Sue Athan and the African Grey Handbook also by her for starters) , and of course, post as many questions as you like, we're all here to help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahDavid Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 No Noah our baby CAG was from begining very soft and gentle as the breeder also told us, he was only 3 months when we got him, i think they have different personalities like humans and some need more time than other to settle down but birds want things to be in THEIR way its not always he wants to be touched you have to learn to respect his wish, but Noah doesnt become agressive when you approach him when he is not in mood for that, but you can tell he doesnt want you to and im trying to listen to him more.. good luck to you Zahra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 Hello Tonyg8s and welcome to the family, we are glad you have joined us and we look forward to hearing more about you and Charlie. The others have given you some excellent advice and I have to agree with the patience, patience and more patience. You have to give it plenty of time and he is new to your home and it will take a while for him to settle in and be comfortable with you. Lovemygreys has provided some links to some good threads you should read thru as well as most of the threads here in this forum. Just read and read for lots of useful information and do not hesitate to ask questions. We welcome any and all questions and we will help you in any way we can. Love to see some pictures of Charlie if you have any. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyg8s Posted August 20, 2008 Author Share Posted August 20, 2008 I will get some picture's thanks all for replies its been 5 days on and he has made so much progress all ready i dont go up to him as oftern and respect his space in return he lets me head rub him a lot without biting. Also now when he does bite its not hard at all. I am well pleased. Im ready for the next stage soon which is getting him on my hand Tanks all Tony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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