need advice new owner

[md2020]

Well almost new owner. I do like birds and I want to have a parrot as a pet. I am willing to put in time, but I am concerned about a bird being tame. I have a deposit on a CAG which is being handfed by a breeder. He is about 6weeks old. the breeder said it might be a good idea to stop by and spend time w the bird every few days. This was nice the first few weeks. I have fed the bird under supervision a couple of times. He just went in a weaning cage with some slightly older chicks. I went to get him out of the cage and he seemed scared of me. He seemed comfortable briefly when holding him but then was obviously distraught. I would think little chicks would be friendly. I plan to try a few more times, but I have heard you should "let the chick pick you". This is his only grey. If this bird does not seem receptive in the next few visits, should I get a different bird?

[Guest Monique]

It's really an individual decision. If your bird is being handfed and the breeder is spending time with it daily then you should have no issues with him being tame. Maybe he is more shy and not knowing you and having you hold him made him concerned. I live rurally and picked my bird without ever having met him and he flew to me from Connecticut. The first grey we got we picked out when they were less than a few weeks old and there was no way to really know what personality to pick at that point. Usually good breeders are going to have birds reserved pretty young and it may be difficult to meet unreserved birds at their weaning age to see their personality before you make a commitment. Not impossible!! But you will wait quite a bit longer. From my own life, aside from birds, I've learned to follow my gut. If you don't think this is the right bird for you in your gut then I would follow your instinct and pass on this one. Maybe you are even picking up more signals telling you why it should not be this bird, unconsciously and don't even consciously realize what those signals are.

 

Good luck in your decision!!!

[Guest]

md2020, I just wanted to say welcome here I'm glad you joined us.

 

Personally, detailing I'm not speaking out of experience, I don't think a few visits don't say much at all. I honestly don't think that he's scared only of you (you stretched 'let the chick pick you') but of generally of everyone wanting to touch him and that this will only vanish when he gets to recognize and know you

[Guest Monique]

I agree with FairY I would not worry about the bird not liking "you" in general he was probably just feeling shy at that moment.

[Caspersmum]

I agree too - I think if you go for it, once you get him home it'll all change - it sounds like you've been really sensible in preparing for his homecoming, and if you keep up that enthusiasm he'll love you!

 

Julia

[Guest briansmum]

hi md2020, theres some great advice there, but i thought i'd mention that like monique i never met my grey before he came to live with me as the breeder was far away and we didn't have any issues. your baby is probably a little bit wary as they will see the breeder as "parent" at the moment and isn't yet used to being touched by other people. maybe, that's just one possibility. keep visiting and i'm sure everything will be fine and you and your bird will bond. but i agree with monique, as the time gets closer for you to bring baby home and he/she really doesn't feel like the bird for you it's better for you and the bird if you look elsewhere.

[md2020]

Thank you everyone for your advice. I will keep visiting the little one and see how it goes.

[judygram]

I visited my little one numerous times before I got to bring her home and she was not that enthusiastic for me either as I was not the caregiver. But things changed when I got her home and now I feel like we have bonded. She turned one year old last Friday and I have had her for over 8 months now.

Like xxbeccyxx said though if it does not feel right then maybe you can wait for another one, but I think you may be allright bringing this one home, it just takes time to set up the bonding process. But regardless of what decision you make, give it time and patience and you will have a friend for life.

Keep us informed as to what road you take and how things are going.