New to all this.

[scott199]

The Rainforest one is fine. That would be my choice after the King's. I have some Kings and a Montana. Rainforest have apparently taken over from Montana which is now unavailable in the UK - although you can still buy them from Germany or Holland. The Rainforest and the Kings medium would both be great for a CAG. They are perfect for my Amazons which are roughly the same size. This is my Montana with Ollie (for size reference) sitting nearby:

This is Bobbie (she's a bit bigger than Ollie) in the Kings:

Ollie and Bobbie are roughly the same size as an average CAG... although chunkier.

Thank you, I’ll be ordering the Rainforest one tomorrow.

anything else you think I should get ready ?

 

[Monaco]

I have to say extra bowls. Both for the regular size the cage needs and at least one smaller treat dish. I find I'm having trouble without the extra big bowls. I deliver a paper route, but I would need to collect newspaper if I didn't already have so much. Our paper has huge bins of extras at the end of the week, maybe yours does too. Containers for food to keep in the fridge and freezer, even if it's zip locks. And make space in the fridge and freezer now, so you don't have to cook a lot to make room when he gets there .

Just things I realized after Monaco came home.

 

[Fuzzy]

Do you intend to cover the cage at night? I like covering mine so that the birds stay sleeping instead of waking at the crack of dawn. I cover the large cages with large brown sheets (you need a bigger size than you think). When Kobe first arrived I draped a neutral coloured sheet over the back and sides of his cage, as he wasn't against a wall, to make him feel more secure.

Do you know what treats this particular Grey likes? I'd get some in preparation... eg. cashews, almonds, walnuts, pistachio, raisins, etc... you can add some pieces to his dry bowl to see which he favours. Then you can use them as reinforcement for behaviour you want to see more of.

Have you decided what you are going to use to clean the cage (the bars etc)? Like vinegar and water, or F10 (also from Scarletts)?

As Kelly said, start collecting newspapers - you are going to need a lot for the cage bottom - the bird should be cleaned out daily to avoid disease.

 

[Ripshod]

Congrats Scott. Landing a Grey as your first foster is great. I've been quiet in your thread but I have been following, and will continue to do so. Best advice I can give right now? Use your instinct and watch the body language (both ways. Don't show any nervousness and be positive around your foster). Do everything at the bird's pace. But above all ask anything you need, the only stupid question is the one that doesn't get asked.

anything else you think I should get ready

Your friends and family. Make sure they're fully aware before they visit.

 

[scott199]

I have to say extra bowls. Both for the regular size the cage needs and at least one smaller treat dish. I find I'm having trouble without the extra big bowls. I deliver a paper route, but I would need to collect newspaper if I didn't already have so much. Our paper has huge bins of extras at the end of the week, maybe yours does too. Containers for food to keep in the fridge and freezer, even if it's zip locks. And make space in the fridge and freezer now, so you don't have to cook a lot to make room when he gets there .

Just things I realized after Monaco came home.

thank you so much it’s all these little things I haven’t really thought about, when the cage arrives I’ll certainly order a few extra bowls, so use 1 wash 1 kind of thing. Newspaper is another thing I’ll need to source, with tech nowadays I don’t think I’ve seen a paper in 5 years best I go and sort a supply.

as for the food in fridge/freezer thing, could you explain what and why ?

Do you intend to cover the cage at night? I like covering mine so that the birds stay sleeping instead of waking at the crack of dawn. I cover the large cages with large brown sheets (you need a bigger size than you think). When Kobe first arrived I draped a neutral coloured sheet over the back and sides of his cage, as he wasn't against a wall, to make him feel more secure.

Do you know what treats this particular Grey likes? I'd get some in preparation... eg. cashews, almonds, walnuts, pistachio, raisins, etc... you can add some pieces to his dry bowl to see which he favours. Then you can use them as reinforcement for behaviour you want to see more of.

Have you decided what you are going to use to clean the cage (the bars etc)? Like vinegar and water, or F10 (also from Scarletts)?

As Kelly said, start collecting newspapers - you are going to need a lot for the cage bottom - the bird should be cleaned out daily to avoid disease.

yes we will cover the cage at nights, I think it will be best for him as we’re not early to bed and not crack of dawn risers (well not yet) his cage will be in a corner, we’re moving the living room around today so he can have the back corner, so left side and back wil be against a wall, right side is directly behind my chair, so if he feels like screaming in my ear, my ears only about 12 inches from his cage but I’m hoping just being next to him will allow him to come over in his own time to chat.

no idea about treats yet but I’ll get some random bits and such just so I have something, can I just get these nuts from Lidl or somewhere or do I neeto order from scarletts/a parrot place ?

cleaning we’re going F10 all the way, I’ve got a basket ready at scarletts with all the bits I think we need first aid kit, F10 spray, concentrate, wipes and hand gel. (probably going way overboard but I’d rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it)

Congrats Scott. Landing a Grey as your first foster is great. I've been quiet in your thread but I have been following, and will continue to do so. Best advice I can give right now? Use your instinct and watch the body language (both ways. Don't show any nervousness and be positive around your foster). Do everything at the bird's pace. But above all ask anything you need, the only stupid question is the one that doesn't get asked.

Your friends and family. Make sure they're fully aware before they visit.

Thank you, that’s the main area of concern for me, he’s a bit bigger than I was originally thinking which makes me a little nervous, so hopefully I can get over that very quickly (I’d like to get the first bite over and done with, I’ve had reptiles and snakes before and as soon as I was born a few times the nerves disappeared and I was very confident then)

friends and family - we don’t really have any to be honest but we’re going to keep a chain on the front door to make sure we can’t be surprised with an open door by accident or mistake.

Thank you all so much for taking time to help us, I’m sure I’m just being over dramatic about this but we’re just trying to be as prepared as possible for basics and then we can relax and learn as we go.

 

[Monaco]

It's a dramatic change, and I was equally dramatic getting ready for my girl!

The veggies and fruit take up a lot of space. Lots of people make a big batch of chop and freeze portions. I also keep a lot of frozen veggies and fruit. She gets into one favorite or another, and I end up needing more of one thing then a different one. It just takes a lot of space! Baggies can go flat, so that helps. I have a better system now, and know what she's likely to eat, but at first I had a huge variety.

Also, new food - it can take a few weeks for her to try it. Don't get discouraged by him ignoring foods. A rejected item "no" might be "not right now" rather than a "never". I try to offer as much variety as possible every day, and fall back on the staples (her favorites) when I run out of certain things. This is part of the reason for lots of bowls! The other is mostly because the water needs changed a lot, and Monaco can be very aggressive about her dishes (she's getting much better now.) It's overwhelming, but you will be fine! You have a great attitude, and staying curious will help you observe closely. Like @Ripshod said, use your instinct, then ask questions, breathe, and repeat!

 

[scott199]

It's a dramatic change, and I was equally dramatic getting ready for my girl!

The veggies and fruit take up a lot of space. Lots of people make a big batch of chop and freeze portions. I also keep a lot of frozen veggies and fruit. She gets into one favorite or another, and I end up needing more of one thing then a different one. It just takes a lot of space! Baggies can go flat, so that helps. I have a better system now, and know what she's likely to eat, but at first I had a huge variety.

Also, new food - it can take a few weeks for her to try it. Don't get discouraged by him ignoring foods. A rejected item "no" might be "not right now" rather than a "never". I try to offer as much variety as possible every day, and fall back on the staples (her favorites) when I run out of certain things. This is part of the reason for lots of bowls! The other is mostly because the water needs changed a lot, and Monaco can be very aggressive about her dishes (she's getting much better now.) It's overwhelming, but you will be fine! You have a great attitude, and staying curious will help you observe closely. Like @Ripshod said, use your instinct, then ask questions, breathe, and repeat!

Thank you

 

[scott199]

Well just to update this thead as you all been so kind with help and info.

Id like you to meet Bert, no age or sex known but we’ve had him since Saturday, really sweet boy, Chatters a little, plays with us all, very hand shy but over the last Few days we’ve worked hard and he started taking treats from our fingers through the cage.

he’s been out last night and tonight and now he will come to the edge of the cage top to take the treat from our hands, he’s really gentle when he takes them, I really don’t think it will be long before he steps up, we got a clicker today and a T perch for training coming tomorrow.

 

[Fuzzy]

He's beautiful! Looks very relaxed sitting there. Nice to see his wings are whole (haven't been clipped). He's got big eyes!!

 

[Monaco]

What a gorgeous bird!

Those eyes... There's something special there, I think.

 

[winnieirn]

Welcome!!
Hope you find the right birdie for you but I recommend getting a ringneck they are playful and crazy and love being with their owners

 

[DurgaRose]

well, i wanted a mid-sized robust little fellow that just wanted to be around us, playful, energetic, not massively 'flighty' this led me to really falling for the white-bellied Caiques and i did have my heart set on a one.

but after reading these forums and many others and chatting to people on facebook etc, I'm really not sure anymore as the stories of "nasty little vengeful attack modes" and terrible biting machines seems to be the thing, but I'm not stupid and i know generally for every bad story on the internet there is 5-10 good ones that never get posted, a little like a car forum, not many people sign up or find them to say "mines been perfect and I've never had a single breakdown or problem" i am realistic and i understand most, not all but most find forums for help with problems, i also understand that regardless of what it is, these are wild animals and anyone going in thinking they will never get bit, is really going in with the wrong attitude.

So with all that in mind, i started to look at Senagals, but everyone seems to say they are very protective and can get attached to one or another of us, not really suitable as its likely to spend much more quality time with me, but I'm at work, so the wife is home with it all day, she's happy to chat and play but wouldn't really interact as i would.

So really I'm looking for advice and insight into what may or may not be right for me.

i did go to an aviary and found the sweetest little hand reared lovebird, (the owner hand it in the house) not quite ready to leave yet but in the next week or two, very friendly, but it seemed a little small and delicate for what i had originally planned, but its certainly looking like a better fit for the whole family.

So, I think I should have signed up as "totally confused"

I am new to AA too! My first bird 2 1/2 years ago was a Lovebird. Even though they are small they a pretty hardy little guys. He amazes me with how smart he is! Lovies are also super inquisitive and playful, I love mine so much. I also have a green cheek Conure and agree with the folks on here that recommend them! He may just be the "perfect" bird! They are a little bigger then the Lovebirds and have very big personalities!!! some even say they are like a small Macaw. I would say either one (lovebird or gc conure) would be a wonderful choice

 

[Hawk12237]

Well just to update this thead as you all been so kind with help and info.

Id like you to meet Bert, no age or sex known but we’ve had him since Saturday, really sweet boy, Chatters a little, plays with us all, very hand shy but over the last Few days we’ve worked hard and he started taking treats from our fingers through the cage.

he’s been out last night and tonight and now he will come to the edge of the cage top to take the treat from our hands, he’s really gentle when he takes them, I really don’t think it will be long before he steps up, we got a clicker today and a T perch for training coming tomorrow.

View attachment 324995

Great choice... Nice looking bird.

 

[DurgaRose]

Congrats on bringing home such a beautiful African Grey!! that is super exciting

 

[Monaco]

Any updates on your progress with Bert?

 

[scott199]

Any updates on your progress with Bert?

Hi, sorry it’s just been a little rollercoaster and a massive learning curve but I think we’re all doing ok.

Berts doing quite well (I think) he’s not keen on veg but we’re working on that one, been target training him and he’s quite good, he’s happy sitting on his cage for hours but not ventured any further yet. He’s still a bit scared of us or hands anyway, he takes treats gently, whistles and chats to us, loves to dance.

ive tried a T perch but he’s not keen, get to close and he tries to fly (he can’t really fly, more of a grind with style ) but once he was off his cage he did step up on the perch without hesitation and I popped him back on his cage and he was happy again, so I’m sure it will come, just letting him choose when, he’s quiet apart from whistles and quiet chatting

he’s certainly the centre of attention here,

I did catch him awhile ago, he doesn’t like to kiss anything, poor little guy fighting to stay awake

 

[Monaco]

I can't get over his eyes. The expression speaks to me. That looks like monaco's cage. She also will stay like Bert is on the metal. I worry about her feet because of the places she chooses to perch, but she's slowly accepting different textures and widths.

I'm so happy for you and him both.

 

[scott199]

I can't get over his eyes. The expression speaks to me. That looks like monaco's cage. She also will stay like Bert is on the metal. I worry about her feet because of the places she chooses to perch, but she's slowly accepting different textures and widths.

I'm so happy for you and him both.

Funny enough I worry about his feet to, he has lots of different sized perches in his cage he uses,
He’s really happy to be out but he won’t step up (yet) but he’s slowly getting used to arms and hands being near him, he’s fine in the cage but when he’s out he’s just moved away.

 

[scott199]

To be honest all That reading/watching and such doesn’t even come close to preparing you for the real thing, still struggling with nerves around him, not that he’s really given any reason for us to be nervous, just new bird owners quite a big intimidating beak and although I know the very worst likely to be a decent cut, my head still can’t overcome my nerves, I’m even getting angry with myself, Berts done nothing wrong and given us no real reason not to trust him.

does this get better with time or does it just take a load of bites to get used to it ?

 

[Monaco]

I totally understand your fear. I am also still scared, and she didn't even break skin on my first real bite. She's also very trusting, and she has used very gentle pressure to tell me things since then. It's hard not to be worried, but do try... I try every day too! You know that saying that "everything I ever worried about never happened, so don't tell me not to worry!"? That's me on lots of subjects.

When you're feeling confident, try giving him the opportunity to trust you. It took nerves of steel to hold still when Monaco was mad about something, but she just didn't clamp down, and gently held my thumb and pushed it away. It's a conversation between you, and the bites, if they happen, will tell you loud and clear that he didn't think you were listening to him or didn't trust that you would.

The short answer is yes, yes it will get better.

Edited to say, she technically did break skin, but it was a bite down, no twisting just holding the pressure in a pinch that seemed very long at the time. Bruise and two little punctures... Not like her owner warned me about at all.