Keeping my African Grey (Congo) entertained while at work.

[zkyevolved]

Hey everyone. I'm still waiting for my African Grey (Congo) (who's name is Orion) to come home to me! I talked to a breeder and I should have Orion within a few weeks, and I'm VERY excited. I got him games, toys, food, snacks, some books (for my own pleasure of course, as he won't know how to read).

One thing I'm worried about is his mental health.

During the week I'm a professional teacher (Monday - Thursday), from 8 AM to 3 PM, and then from 4PM to 9 PM every day.

Here's my full work schedule:
Monday & Tuesday: 8AM - 3PM (arriving home at 3PM), 4PM-9PM.
Wednesday:4PM -9PM
Thursday: 8AM - 3PM (arriving home at 3PM), 4PM-9PM.
Friday: 8AM-3PM

I've convinced myself to take him out of his cage every morning before I go to work while I get dressed, have breakfast and get ready (about an hour).

From 3-4 (if possible) I'd take him out for more socialization with me (and others). And then of course at night from 9 until bed time, I'd let him out again to play, socialize and have dinner with me sometimes and such.

But here's my concern... Will he be ok for that time alone? I mean, from 8 until 3 and then from 4 until 9 Monday, Tuesday & Thursday? I've made a commitment to myself to let him out of his cage as much as possible, but until I actually see him and how he's doing I won't be sure if he's actually OK or not.

Does anyone have any suggestions? TV, Radio, and some games. I'd prefer him not to have any other human interaction while I'm not home, as I know some people might not care for him (let him fly out the window by accident, jump out the window, get eaten by the dog, forget him somewhere, or just let him stand on top of a door that sways shut....). So I'd prefer that I be the main person to introduce him to others, play with others and such (which I actually encourage). But I just don't want him to get stressed or to be lonely while I'm not home.

So... Games? Toys? TV? Radio? Music? Movies? I'm all ears. Thanks very much!

Kent.

[Nurd_boy]

I leave the radio (morning drive show then country or light pop) on for my severe and have the cage near a window (not so close sun fills the cage, but with shady areas for him to retreat into) and I also leave the tv on sometimes (cartoons, disney)...though a word of warning, mine pipcked up saying 'shut up' with a valley girl accent as in 'sha-t uup' from one of the disney shows (suite life or zoey i think)...

foraging treats like nuts wrapped in coffee filter and clothspinned to cage wall or hidden in toy bucket.

[huntress]

Is there someone else home at all? If not I suggest the Largest cage you can possibly afford and I leave on TV for mine. I highley sUggest another bird - nothing extravagaent. Maybe a cocketiel or budgie rescue for bird company in the house. It really helps. I suggest a rescue because they need homes (1) Your bird will benefit from other "bird" company in an empty house (2) small birds are easy to care for (3) One that might not be tamed so you wont feel pressured to give it a ton of attention. Im not saying it wouldnt need attention but untamed fids need homes and care to and may not WANT personal attention.

[NewsWrthy]

Also depending on the environment ( who, what,where) you teach you might consider taking him for the evening class. I used to take my Blue front to the office when I had to go in the evening for 3 to 4 hrs. I placed a sign on his play Gym that read " Caution- Keep back 10 ft Vicious Attack Parrot!!" He enjoyed it and although people would come up to look at him that stayed back, unsure about the warning. Age of students and type of class are important, if you teach a computer or English class go for it, if you teach welding or sky diving disregard this post.lol Seriously though if it can be done safely(for him) it will help him experience new interesting things.

[rtbird]

It's obvious that you are very well intentioned and conscientious about doing what's best for your new arrival. If you live alone and Orion will only have companionship for those few hours a day, please reconsider another species.

Grey's are flock animals and extremely intelligent ones at that. It's estimated that they are as smart as 2 or 3 year-old humans. Even with a ton of toys, large cage and television, I'm worried that would not be enough to keep a Grey busy and happy. A baby grey needs even more attention than an adult.

If you don't want to consider another species, is there a friend or neighbor who could stop by during the day for a little visit?

The suggestion about taking Orion to work was a good one, depending on the age of the students and whether the environment is free of possible toxins. If it's a school with a chemistry lab, cooking class or even cleaning crew using who knows what kind of chemicals it could be dangerous.

I'm sorry to be so pessimistic, especially given your obvious devotion and love for Orion already. But I also worry about your quality of life if YOU feel you can't or shouldn't be away from home because of such long working hours. Don't you want to be able to go out with friends without guilt or worry. It doesn't sound like you have schedule any time for yourself.

It's a difficult decision, but whatever you decide please let us know and if we can help.

[my-africangrey-echo]

Looks like you got some good advice here. I always have either the radio on and move the toys around in Echo's cage weekly. I don't necessarily add new ones weekly for that can freak him out . I just move their location. It almost makes them seem like a new toy to them. I also on occasion leave either cartoon network on or the bird sitter DVD. Making it a little different everyday will do wonders. They also will be very use to the daily routine and expect their day to be as so. They are also so smart that they know when it's a day off of work because we get up later.. Chris

[sassie]

I like kids music, Im hoping someone picks up some songs :)

My quaker trys very hard to sing Ernie's verson of "Rubber Ducky" :D

[zkyevolved]

I've actually decided to take him to class with me on tuesdays & thursdays, so that just means he'll be alone on Monday's. But one day out of the week, which I'll leave the TV on for him (well, I'll let him watch TV show's I TiVo for him ;)). I wont start taking him to class right away, I feel that he needs to get used to me before he'll accept students looking at him and wanting to touch him. So, maybe after a little while, not to mention in a few months he'll only be alone from 9 to 2, and I'll be with him in the afternoons for most of the day. So I think we'll do all right :) regardless, I've talked to my parents, who're retired, and they said that they'd love to talk to him, and hang out with him (from within his cage), so I'd take him downstairs to be with the grandpops. hehe. He's coming this week, I'm so excited :).

[rtbird]

sounds like you have a wonderful support system and Orion will have lots of friends in his flock.

one little suggestion, bring Orion home on a Saturday morning so you will have the first two days to be with him while he settles in to his new home. During those 2 days tell him you have to go out for a little while, but you'll be back soon. Maybe start with 20 or 30 minute "trips," then an hour or two, and each time that he sees you return home after you leave, he'll feel more secure when you have to leave him for work or longer periods of time.

I would also recommend reading Sally Blanchard's, "The Companion Parrot Handbook." Despite having had an African Grey for 18 years and reading years of "Bird Talk," I still learned a lot of valuable information.
Companion Parrot Handbook

Congratulations and best of luck on your new relationship. It's very exciting.