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Behaviour Questions...


Baby_Grey

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I'm sure most of you will know that I had to get Greysons chest stitched up a little while back due to an incision on his chest area.

 

I'm actually worried about him, ever since I picked him up from the boarding bird store who came highly recommended here in town, well basically his behavior is worrying me dearly.

 

I actually tried to contact the same birdstore a few weeks back to find the number invalid, upon driving down there the other day as I was in the area, they have closed down, building is up for lease...

 

The behavior:

 

I've always been able to pick up Greyson in the past and pet him, kiss his face etc. Since picking him up he squawks and shivers madly, he doesn't bite be although he acts terrified, I've tried all sorts with him, letting him sit on my shoulder for a few hours a day etc but still he acts like I'm going to hurt him, why? I cook for him, talk to him and whistle to him etc, I never leave him for excessive periods of time, yet he still acts very afraid of me, he will step up no problem but he is deathly afraid when I try and touch him, if I raise a hand slowly to pet him, he tries to fly away, resulting in falling off my hands and banging his chest, I know he lands hard because he squeaks slightly when he falls to the ground.

 

I contacted the vet where I got him stitched up and they asked how he is when alone, I told them he talks, plays and whistles away, they suggested a light sedative, I'm unsure this would work though, it seems like something I've done, he recently (4-5 weeks ago) took a liking to my girl, he lets her pet him when he is inside his house, but not outside, he almost always breaks her skin when he bites, never done that to me.

 

Could some male person at the boarding place have hurt him? Making him dislike men?

 

I cook for him as I said, I put calcium in his food and give him fresh water daily, his diet is seeds in one bowl and pellets (more pellets than seeds).

 

Anyone have any advice? I want my little grey back how he used to be, I don't want him to be afraid of me or anyone else...

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How long was he boarded. Maybe it has something to do with the medical treatment he had and now he is afraid. I would give him a little space and let him recover from his ordeal. Still get him out of his cage, talk to him and feed him treats by hand but don't push the physical stuff until he is ready.

 

I have also read a suggestion once to go back to feeding formula on your lap for a little while to help the bird learn to trust you again.

 

Many years ago I had a yellow collared macaw that was the sweetest thing until he got sick and had to undergo some x-rays and other medical treatment. After that he was afraid of me, would run from me and bite.

 

I notice a hat in your photo. I have heard of birds being afraid when someone is wearing a hat.

 

Just a couple of suggestions. I am sure some of the more experienced members will come along soon with more.<br><br>Post edited by: Char, at: 2009/02/05 02:50

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Put yourself in his place. You've been seriously injured and required a servious course of treatment which then landed you in a hospital. Finally, you're home but that doesn't mean you'll be the same person for quite a while.

 

""""if I raise a hand slowly to pet him, he tries to fly away, resulting in falling off my hands and banging his chest, I know he lands hard because he squeaks slightly when he falls to the ground.""""

 

Why are you doing that? He lands on the floor and the damaged area immediately hurts and sets him back a few days. That'll also cause him to fear you the next time you approach him. In his eyes maybe pain and you mean the same thing. He needs lots of time to get back to normal. He should do that in the comfort of his cage which is actually his home. You're th one that originally made that cage comfortable, attractive and appealing to him. If he's acting well when you're out of the room, that should make you feel better. Having a physical relationship with him while he's on the mend isn't a good idea at this time. You need to let him come around to you in his own time. You can't set up that schedule and sometimes, it takes a while for that to happen. You've got your little grey back. Now is the time to let him feel and understand that he's back with you, girlfriend, house, surroundings etc.

 

Was he abused at that place? No one can answer that.

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It's been some time since he's been back home, I raise my hand to rub his beak because he puts his head down like he has in the past to get petted and kissed etc, thats why I'm confused. If I go around his cage and he is in or out, he goes to the edge where I am to be picked up, I know this because he says 'step up' and raises his foot for me, so I pick him up.

 

I'm so confused, I know for sure he is, I just feel like a bad person, not knowing what he ultimately wants from me/us.

 

I'll give him some more time, I think it's around a month and a half looking at the vet bill since he was in the vet so maybe time will tell.

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you need to take it slow. If you need to, have him step up and you should immediately sit down and let him sit in your lap. Put yourhand in your lap and let him nibble on it. et him touch you. Watch some TV while doing all of this. Relax when you're with him. They can feel and sense nervousness and apprehension in a person.

Maybe what I say irritates you but I'm only trying to tell you not to get into depression. Your bird has be through a lot and it takes time for a grey to get the regular picture back in focus

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Dave, what you say so does not irritate me, I'm very happy with what you're telling me, it's reassuring for me more than anything, I just didn't want to put him on any medications/sedatives, I know how that goes for me as a human and it's not nice.

 

I'll try what you're saying, I'll let him learn about human gestures while we watch 'Lie to me' :laugh:

 

Honestly, thanks for your advice I'm open to good advice from anyone who has exp' as I don't have too much, I'm still very much a noobie as far as Greys go.

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Even though I'm not a vet, I totally agree with you concerning medication. Hearing that your vet is suggesting seditives bothers me simply because your bird is coming around when he's alone. He's getting the feel of the land again.

In my eyes, I can only see good things happening if enough time is allowed for that to happen.

Concerning the vitamins--those aren't as bad as seditives but you say that he's beginning to eat all the nutritious things you used to feed him. If those things were good, then vitamins are what he's taking in but you can make up your own mind concerning vitamins. Greys are naturally very curious animals and they don't like being kept out of the mix. I believe that his curiousity will redevelop as soon as he's much more comfortable in the home again. He's at a fragile age. Things that you may not give a second thought to may be affecting the bird. I also believe that boarding had a straining effect on your bird and when I say that, I don't mean that someone physically abused him. I have no idea if that happened. I would hope not.

I'm sorry if I'm coming across as crass but I feel that your bird is making progress. I've seen this happen many times. I'm not saying that you should have no contact with him. I'm only saying that that contact should be the type that won't hurt him. A bird can be happy even if he's not on your finger/wrist/arm. Cuddling, letting the bird relax on you, having a treat in your hand such as an almond will allow him to nibble on it. I'm not saying that it won't be messy. You'll have crumbs on you. He likes some bread? Give it to him. let him start t associate good things with you again. I believe love is in the air but you should also understand that CAGs are very leery of things and take to things very slowly.

If a woman has be physically or mentally abused by someone in her past and meets up with you who is ready to onl;y give good things, she'll still have to learn to trust you and watch the things you offer before she accepts you. It won't happen overnight.

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That last post hit the nail on the head, that's how I'll try and work with him, I lean to him and kiss him when he's on his cage, also if he doesn't want to be adventurous and try food I'm offering him, I give him it from my mouth, for some reason he always takes it that way, as far as bread, I always get nervous to give him that for fear it can hurt him.

 

Time and patience is what he needs, and that will be what he gets. I do plan to possibly get him a new larger cage and some fun new toys out of my taxes too, so maybe that will cheer him up some.

 

Dave thanks for taking the time to educate me on here, I really are thankful for it.

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