2 New Timnehs - Well New 2 Me!

[GreyGirl717]

I am new here, but not new to the Greys. I had a Congo Grey who passed away a couple of years ago. He was a very independent bird who only like to deal with my son. He had a great personality as far as he loved to have us all around and loved to copy and mimic us and generally enjoyed us as long as we didn't touch him. He only would let my son touch him. We loved him though and he was such a joy for us. When he passed, I said I would never get another.
Well we just got 2 from a person who has had them both for about 7 years.
The female he handraised and the male he purchased I believe. The female loved him and liked him to swing her upside down and the male, well he growls and doesn't like to be handled. They said when he turned two, he went through that teenage stage. And began biting, so they couldn't handle him. So he hasn't been handled for about 5 yrs. (He is 9).When we first walked into the house to get them, the male growled terribly and screeched at us. The female was fine, because the person she was comfortable with was right there.
We have had them for about 3 days. The male is not growling and will take peanuts and crackers from our hand through the bars of the cage and he is starting to let us scratch his head. He has tested me and lightly bitten me through the cage and I was nervous but didn't flinch, because I didn't want him to know I was frightened. Then he would take advantage of that.
The female stepped up on my hand and I did swing her and of course she muckled right on to my thumb and drew blood. It hurt like heck, but again I did my best not to react and I held her for a few minutes after that and then placed her into her cage. A little while later, I reached in her cage and tried picking her up again. I wanted to show her I wasn't scared and I wasn't going to stop just because of her behavior.
She tried to nip at me but I told her to step up and lightly pushed against her chest. She did step up and has been testing me.
My question is this, because I don't want to not be able to pick them up, like my Congo (He had us trained not to bother him for fear he would bite us) what should we do to get the male to become more tame? Are we doing the right thing with the female?
They have not been bred, nor do I plan on breeding them. We were just looking for pets. The couple got rid of them due to health problems. They did spoil the birds rotten and obviously loved them. So they weren't unwanted and of course they are very wanted here also. I just want to make it a better experience for us the second time around as far as taming.
Thanks for any advice you could share with me!
YJ

[Doyle'sMommy]

I don't have any real advice as my TAG isn't home yet. I would just keep being patient, sounds like you are doing a good job already. Talking to them really helps. just be playful. Good luck!!

[Tullysmom]

I agree with Tiffany. It takes time and lots of it. We got Tully when he was six and he was abused and we were told that he was a biter. He was also scared to death of men. And honestly when we first brought him home I thought, "What did I do?" But I just started talking to him and I read to him and just sat there next to his cage so he could get used to me. Then I waited. That's really all you can do. It could take a week, a month or months, but they will come to you in their own time. Don't rush it. That was the main advice that I got from everyone. They live a long time so if it takes a year then it takes a year. No biggie. With Tully it took about a month. He still isn't crazy about men but he doesn't freak out when one enters the room anymore. So he's still making progress. He's a totally different bird then when I got him though. They are such sensitive little things. So just take your time.

Also I have found that with Tully he's a pig. The easiest way to get him to love you is to feed him his favorite stuff. Just like men, the quickest way to his heart is through his stomach. Oatmeal with bananas in it is like crack for Tully. He doesn't care who you are, if you have that, he's your best friend. So I would experiment with some foods and see which ones they LOVE and use it to your advantage. If lots of good stuff comes from you then you can't be that bad right? Good luck and keep us posted!

[Machelle]

First of all, welcome to BB! We are glad to have you here!!

So far it sounds like you are doing great! It takes awhile to earn a birds trust......especially greys. My CAG is still a baby at just over a year so he was a little easier but my folks got an older TAG at 3 - 4 years old in August (or somewhere around there). He was in a house with 6 kids and 2 adults who thought he was a CAG. He's very cage territorial but he's FINALLY starting to want to have attention. My parents have 2 other birds who are more outgoing and he watched them get alot of attention. They would let him out so he could play, and they would talk to him and try to pet him but it just took awhile. Once my folks got their macaw, the TAG got more interested, bit by bit, at wanting attention. Birds can be very jealous so sometimes if they see the rest of the flock getting attention they start to want what the other is getting. You are doing great with the female. Make sure the male sees your interaction with her. Still try with him too. It can take some time. Its been 5 months for my parents and Diego is starting to leave his cage to go sit by mom and dad on his playstand. They never thought he would do that. You have to be patient with birds. You are off to a GREAT start!!!!

[GreyGirl717]

Thank, I am trying to do the right thing and be PATIENT. I have many war wounds, but I think he is coming around. He gets excited when I walk into the room with a bowl of Pregresso Chicken Noodle soup. He loves the pasta and just goes nuts.
I wonder if separating them is something I should think about. They are in separate cages, but right next to each other. They don't speak, but do some whistling.
Someone suggested this to me.
I don't know, they have always been next to each other.

[Doyle'sMommy]

My husband and I had alot of war wounds when Danny first came home. My husband actually got a few welts from Danny biting so hard. It sure isn't fiun or easy not to flinch. I don't know if I would seperate them, might make them even more nervous.

Dusty & Cleo are gorgeous! Those are great pictures!

[Ginich]

Your new FIDS are beautiful and I'm sure they will respond to your care and concern for them. Fortunately, these birds were not abused so they just have to learn the new rules and how far they can push you. It sounds like you have a good handle on things for the short time you have had them. Good luck and keep us posted!