by merlin » Mon Feb 06, 2012 5:39 pm
Dear Chyrel,
Congratulations and welcome to the incredible world of African greys!!! Generally, it takes a few weeks for a re-homed grey to settle into his new home.
I suggest that you give Buddy a good 2-3 or even 4 weeks of getting used to you before clipping his wings. During this time, you can concentrate on building trust with him. Spend lots of time talking to him and sitting near the cage to be with him. You may even want to read children's books and sing to him. You can also offer him treats through the cage bars so that he gets comfortable with you and your hands. When he bows his head for a "scritch," you can tickle his head thru the cage bars with your fingers.
If you go the treat route, be sure to pick something he seems to love. Then break it into very small bits (such as one sunflower seed at a time or cashew bits) so that you can treat him more often. Do not serve the treats in his bowl, but only from your hands. Be sure not to overfeed the treats.
Again, the process of handling him can start now with the interaction by the cage of reading and talking and singing and playing. You will need him to become familiar and comfortable with your hands before you will be able to handle him. So, do tickle his head through the cage bars often, when he asks for it by bowing his head. When you are ready for next steps, please contact us.
Blessings,
Maggie-
www.AfricanGreys.com