very frightened 5 year old CAG

[gottahaveart2]

Last February, I adopted a 4 yr old male CAG. He had not been out of his cage in 3 years because he had bitten the ex owner. There were 3 wooden balls with a bell hanging in his cage, because he chews everything up, as per Xowner. He does not step up. Scared to death of a towel. Will not chew any wood toys,,,, he is truely One frightened little bird. He does talk up a storm. In 12 months I was making progress. Late at night, I would wear a large denim shirt, hide my hands and pick him up and cuddle him.........everything was going okay but slow. Four weeks ago, he got on my U2 cage and his claw was bitten real short. He was bleeding so bad that I had to towel him. It wasn't pretty. I stopped the bleeding and returned him to his cage. Since this incident, I am back to square one. He lunges at me. Refuses to take food from my hand and bites really bad>>>>>>>>>>
Any ideas as to how to gain his confidence again. I have a flock of 4. He is the only one that refuses any kind of loving.....................
Thanks Kathy

[Cindy215]

Poor thing. Give him time and patience all over again. Just keep doing the daily routine. I would consider him special needs.

IMO you saved him when you got him just in time and all that vocalizing was to keep himself from going insane. I know of another Grey who was almost catatonic. She would not even move on the perch, the rescuer had to move her poor feet around and hold water up and coax her to even drink. She was a blank.

One year later she finally took a little bite of a toy that had been there the whole year. (She is not forcibly caged she's in a bird room with alot of rescues not in cages). The NEXT day she actually chewed it loose. This is partly credited to a little Senegal who was single too, and befriended the poor Grey. She sat with her all the time as all the other birds had companions except her.

Try and encourage other things. Confidence and independence. Toys, playing flying, foraging, walking around the house, eating fun stuff, bathing. Cuddling isn't a big bird thing anyway. Notice a pair will only groom and sit real close... a couple times a day, but they arent hanging on each other and making each other "cuddle". IMO you're pushing something that although it would seem nice for her, it's not really that important right now. He'll ask for contact when he's ready. When you get him acting like a bird and more confident he'll lose alot of his fears, IME.

I dont think the denim shirt deal would be my choice. Big things/people bearing down on them is a feeling of being prey.

I'd just let him come out or to me on his terms or try and get him to step up on a perch. Maybe if he sees all the others do it. I'd also make sure he's getting a long quiet night sleep not interrupted by lights, noise, tv, computers, talking etc. Following a strict natural daylight schedule including dawn and dusk. No artificial lighting after 3, just let the natural light take over and they all go to sleep then.

Sit next to him talk, even read, dont stare make sure you blink. Is his cage in the "right" spot? Sometimes cage placement is everything. Is there a perch outside the door for him to sit on?

Also never have just one bird out when the others are in cages for that reason. They should all be out at the same time or take them to other rooms one at a time. And they should all be flighted, so if someone gets too close the one who wants to get away, can.

I'd make sure his diet is perfect and especially calcium. Calcium deficiency is common and makes them nervous and upset acting, too. Since you probably dont want to get bloodwork I'd at least discuss using Calciboost with your vet if he's not eating 85% pellets. If he IS eating pellets you dont supplement usually. Calciboost is available online only. It's twice a week in a normal bird if you use it.

Thank you for taking care of him. It's all about time, trust and confidence in himself. Greys are tricky, he's going to be way different than a Too, much less demanding in a pushy way.