grey plucking

[Munchy]

Hello,

My niece has a But she is in nursing school, so my sister, her mom is taking care of her
I just visited and the grey is mostly plucked, just downy feathers, my sister asked me if I would take the bird, just until my niece gets out of school in three years. My concern is I barely have enough time for Disney and Disney is a happy well adjusted bird, I am afraid bringing in a grey with plucking problems might affect Disney. My other concern is that I will not have enough time to spend with the bird. I can imagine myself taking the time for him to get to know me and maybe working with him, and getting him a collar, etc... but what if I just don't have what it takes? I have such a good relationship with Disney he is so lively and I love him so much I am also afraid the grey could hurt him. But I do see many of you with larger birds that co=exist with smaller ones.
Just looking for advice. I am going to send her the link to this place and hope she does her best to stop the bird from plucking, I would hate for my niece to have sixty years with a naked bird, but honestly, mu sister is not really a bird person.
Any advice and suggestions are welcome,

[pennyandrocky]

have they ever had a playdate? before i brought penny home for my they had already spent time with eachother at my aunt's home.some birds do benifit from having other birds around so i get mine together with my aunt and cousin's birds. with my it was a little harder she was clipped he was flighted which really seemed to irritate her now that both can fly she tolerates him.

[Munchy]

no, we live six hours away

[pennyandrocky]

that is a long drive.i don't really know what to tell you except it's up to you. if your worried disney will start plucking it doesn't work that way when i brought mya home she was bald chested and penny never plucked.a cone is only used in extreme cases where the bird will get so stressed they rip open skin.your sister not being a bird person will only make the problem worse if the bird is left with her while your niece is in nursing school.if i were you i would have to take him but your not responsible for your nieces commitment so don't feel bad if you don't feel it's right for you or disney to take on another bird you have to do what's best for you and disney. if your sister wants help with the plucking i along with others on here can help.keep us up on what you decide i hope it works out for eveyone.

[GlassOnion]

I would take him in if I were you Many birds like having another birdie companion in the house even if they don't directly interact.

[Munchy]

I am also concerned that Disney is flighted and what if they are both out and the grey hurts Disney? But I have seen grey owners here with smaller birds. Are the greys kind toward smaller birds? Or can he be as dangerous as a senegal? Which I have learned can kill a conure.

[pennyandrocky]

i don't know about greys but cockatoos are very territorial and she hasn't killed penny.in the beginning she was clipped so she couldn't catch him to do any damage but they were never left unsupervised if i had to leave penny would go with me.now she lands right next to him and will chase him off or flies away when she sees him.
if possible keep them seperate unless they are caged and see how they react.how does disney react when anyone else comes near you? my cousins's ringneck tried to attack my amazon the first time she picked him up and my greencheek stepped in between and the ringneck backed off it was a comical since no one was hurt once everyone knew where they stood all got along fine. penny tries to bite anyone who comes near me and sais "my mommy" but mya he's in love with so when she wants me he'll fly up to his perch and admire her from above.

[Grey_Moon]

I would exercise extreme caution and actually probably recommend NOT bringing the grey into your home.

I can tell you from experience that greys, most of the time, are extremely jealous and territorial---not known for liking other birds. Jacko for example was so hell-bent on aggression that I rehomed my cockatiel for his own safety and happiness (she bit and almost broke both his feet---causing permanent muscle/nerve damage). Especially if you are short on time as it is and plan to keep both birds flighted, I do not see you having enough time for both of them should they not get along. You also have to wonder what if any negative reactions Disney might have to a new bird who needs a lot of time and attention (as pluckers do).

The bigger threat/issue here is the amount of medical detective work needed here. It is extremely dangerous to assume the grey is plucking for behavioural reasons only and just needs a cone collar and some work. You do not know at this point what if any medical issues this bird may have---and what this will mean in financial strain and threat to Disney (even if you quarantine---do you really want say for example to end up with a grey with PDD or something else wherein your life is then run by HAZMAT-style disinfection protocols for the rest of its life?).

I can understand wanting to help. But I don't think you're in a spot where its reasonable or rational to do so.

[RedDragon1288]

Since I also live in California I would like to offer temp. care for the grey but I agree with GreyMoon. You want to check with the vet to see if the plucking is not cause by a serve medical issue. It's hard to deal with a plucker. With the plucking, I find that a lot of out of the cage time with the family, if it's just me sitting watching TV or Brennen doing his home at the computer. Ruby is fine chilling out on his stand or play gym. Foraging toys help and daily bath and exercise help. The other thing is that there is always someone in the house. Brennen is a full time student so he going to school during the day and I work full time but I work the night shift. It's a family effort between us to both fids don't feel neglected. In my experience with some greys don't like other species. Ruby my CAG doesn't like Malachite my HHP. If I am not watching them and keep them separate they will fight. I wouldn't trust a Grey near another bird smaller than it.

[Wayne361]

Not to sound too abrupt but i think you answered your own question. You have serious doubts and these doubts are relevent in providing the best for someone elses responsibility. I would decline based on your own situation.