African grey owners, help please

[Salmando9]

Hi guys, Im getting a baby african grey next week, she is 10 weeks old.

Do you guys have any advice or tips you dont mind sharing?

Thanks a lot!

[Grey_Moon]

Go slow and take your time---greys aren't won over easily.
You've got a baby though so perhaps it will be easier.

The biggest things are to build as much trust and sense of security as you can, while exposing the bird to many different things and getting them used to changed. Build that flock relationship because it will help you to build your bird's confidence and willingness to explore.

I don't know how you feel about beaks in your plate but if its bird-safe Jacko eats with me. Since I am part of her flock and we have mealtimes together if she sees me eating it she will try it. Same goes for most new things, she'll trust it if I touch it first. She'll also be relatively calm in new environments so long as I'm in the room/close to her and am calm as well. Showers are another group activity for us both---much like anything else from laundry to dishes to going to the mailbox etc.

Jacko was also a bit of a gypsy with me so is used to going on buses, in the car, in the subway...get your grey used to travelling. She actually *loves* to sit on the passenger seat backrest at the local Wendy's and have a french fry or some of my chicken garden salad (she's fallen asleep here watching all the cars--that's how relaxed she is!)

I don't know again, how you feel about it but I always figured that we should start putting that 'they're as sensitive and emotional/intelligent as a small child' into actual practice instead of just saying it. Most small kids at that age want to be close to their parents and need to feel comforted by routine and security, by warmth and love. Jacko therefore never sleeps alone (she's right by my pilow---either in her open carrier or actually on the bed depending on who falls asleep watching tv first ) and I do take the opportunity at both dusk and dawn for her to crawl under the covers for some cuddles etc and to be close to my partner and I. Like small kids you pretty much are on their schedule, not yours. If they want up at 6 AM---you'd best get up. People will tell you otherwise but its the only thing that works for me---otherwise she plucks if her 'day' isn't started when she wants to get up.


Oh yeah, and be patient some days they'll reduce you to tears. But love them anyway, plucked or not.

[Salmando9]

Thanks for all the help!
So what I need to do is add a new toy everyday?
She's a baby and still needs to be hand fed, and I try to go to the shop and feed her myself to bond more. she tries to eat by herself but she can't eat very well.

[Grey_Moon]

Not necessarily a new toy every day---but hey if you can afford to do that awesome!

What I mean is don't let your little grey be a shut-in---take them out and about, get them used to daily life with you. Don't let their world be the cage and the playstand. As they age greys (and most birds) develop a 'box' of what they know, and anything 'outside the box' is dangerous/scary. Make sure that box is as big as it can be and preferably that it never closes. Going to a friend's house that's bird-safe? Bring the bird. Going out for a meal? Eat in the car and bring the bird. Doing some work at the pc? Bring her over and let her check everything out. I think the biggest disservice we do to greys is allowing the stereotypes of them being scaredy birds and nervous and one-person and purposely planning how we raise the bird around those which we see as 'inevitable' so we simply shrug when the bird becomes phobic and nervous and say 'oh well its a grey, its normal'. The birds tend to be shy, yes, they tend to pick one person to love more, but I've got a grey who is curious and bold because I didn't mollycoddle her.

Insecurity and fear/anxiety can be big triggers for plucking behaviours, so you want to expose the grey to everything instead of protecting him from everything. I.e. you don't want the little one to freak out the first time you start vaccuuming or travel or even offer a new toy or food. Raise a confident bird that wants to try things and check things out.

[GlassOnion]

BIG THING: do not clip her wings. do not clip her wings.

Birds need to fledge and learn to use their wings just like how human babies learn to walk. Depriving a bird of learning to fly will cause detrimental psychological damage and a bird who is more likely to be nervous and bitey as it hits maturity. Greys are SO intelligent they need as much stimulation they can get, they are in the top category of birds that pluck themselves bare. Plucking happens because they're bored and stressed. Flight is extremely important for the physical and mental health of your bird. Don't listen to what the store tells you, there is more than enough research out there on why a bird needs its wings to properly exercise its heart, lungs, air sacs- after all, birds are BUILT for flight.

[Salmando9]

Thanks a lot guys, these are really helpful.
Unfortunately, her wings were already clipped

[MeanDonnaJean]

...I always figured that we should start putting that 'they're as sensitive and emotional/intelligent as a small child' into actual practice instead of just saying it...Like small kids you pretty much are on their schedule, not yours.

Even tho I do not have the pleasure of havin' that type of "small child" in my home, I gotta agree with ya.

And on that note, ain't it a shame that we can't claim 'em as dependents on our tax returns?

[Rokisha]

...I always figured that we should start putting that 'they're as sensitive and emotional/intelligent as a small child' into actual practice instead of just saying it...Like small kids you pretty much are on their schedule, not yours.

Even tho I do not have the pleasure of havin' that type of "small child" in my home, I gotta agree with ya.

And on that note, ain't it a shame that we can't claim 'em as dependents on our tax returns?

lol yeah really!

[Saerphe]

Thanks a lot guys, these are really helpful.
Unfortunately, her wings were already clipped

Well, it's not ideal, but the feathers will eventually grow back. If she doesn't know how to fly when her feathers grow back, Michael's training blog has some good tips on encouraging a previously clipped bird to learn how to fly.

In the meantime, (once she's developed her coordination!) you can encourage her to flap her wings for exercise by holding her above your head and then lowering her quickly. Just be careful that she doesn't lose her balance and fall, or she may not be so inclined to try again. And make sure she really trusts you before you try this.

Good luck with your new baby!

[Salmando9]

Well, it's not ideal, but the feathers will eventually grow back. If she doesn't know how to fly when her feathers grow back, Michael's training blog has some good tips on encouraging a previously clipped bird to learn how to fly.

In the meantime, (once she's developed her coordination!) you can encourage her to flap her wings for exercise by holding her above your head and then lowering her quickly. Just be careful that she doesn't lose her balance and fall, or she may not be so inclined to try again. And make sure she really trusts you before you try this.

Good luck with your new baby!

Thanks!! She actually flaps her wings all the time