introducing to new cage

[merlin]

Hello,

I am a moderator on a parrot forum and always give a link to your web page with a new grey owner.

Question: I purchased a medium size cage to take my TAG ourside in for natural sunshine.
For 4 days new she is been thinking it is a big monster. Today (4th day) I was holding her steady and she did sit on the perch on top of this cage but when I let go of her she flies off. What is the best way to go about helping her to be comfortable with this cage so that we can use it??

Dianne from Maryland

[merlin]

Hi Dianne,

For future reference, the reason these parrots are so afraid of new things like that is because their instincts tell them the new objects may be predators. Greys are partial ground feeders, and so, they are particularly nervous about new things that are around them or their cages. In the wild, cats, snakes, and other ground predators sneak up very slowly. So, the wild parrot must always be aware of EVERYTHING around them. Since our greys are still wild instinctively, anything new triggers that reaction.

Again, for the future, I have found that when introducing my greys to new cages, the best thing to do is to have the new one look similar to the current one... or at least have the same color. The transition comes much easier that way.

Now, when your parrot is afraid of a new cage, carrier, or any other object, you need to introduce it very, very slowly like a toy. You also need to pay a lot of attention to it and play with or fiddle with it. Act like you are having fun. It may take a few weeks or a month, but the best thing is to act like YOU love it and pay a lot of attention to it.

Once your TAG has shown curiosity and fascination with your fascination, let her sit on the cage door for a brief time. When she sits there, lavishly praise her with words and/or a treat. As she becomes more comfortable, continue to praise and reward her. Continue to do this slowly until she is comfortable with the cage. Eventually, you can put her in the cage, but ALWAYS be there to supervise for the first few times she is in the cage.

Hoping this helps you. Thank you so much for referring people to this site!
GREY'T Blessings,
Maggie-
www.AfricanGreys.com

[Lisa A. Bono]

When I purchased Emma a new cage, she was frightened to it as well. I set them up side by side and slowly moved her favored toys into the new one. I would stand by the new one, play with the toys and talk to her. It took her about two weeks to make the move and she has been fine ever since. She has now decided that she also wants a sleep cage. So this would actually be her third cage and she had no issues going in that one at all. Her sleep cage is set up next to her day cage, so you can say her real estate takes up the entire wall in the bird room.