girl vs. boy AG

[EngTeach]

My husband and I have decided to add a African Grey to our family. We currently own a Goffin Cockatoo, a Green Cheek Conure, and several dogs. The person I'm getting my bird from owns a bird store and I have become friends with since acquiring my first bird several years ago. He currenly has several AG he's hand feeding and said he had 1 that is extremely sweet and loving that will ween in 3-4 weeks most likely. I visited it the other day and it is very, very sweet. The only problem, it may be a boy (he's guessing right now because of its size)....we're waiting on the sexing results. I've kind of had my mind set on a girl AG because I hear they go through less moodiness when puberty hits. Is this true? My friend says he, too, prefers girl AG, but that the boy he has now is a really cool guy. He has a couple of girl AGs that will wean in 6-8 weeks but he says personality wise their not a good match with us. Since he's a friend and I got my Goffin from him (who is an absolute perfect bird) and I deal with him all the time for my bird needs, I trust him. My quandry is this.....do I hold out and wait on a great natured little girl....or do I go with the boy who seems like a great little guy? I'm just worried about the puberty thing.....HELP

[Lisa's Tiki]

Well I don't know about the puberty thing for a grey since my girl is only a year old, but I would assume it is just an individual bird thing like everything else is. I am sure someone with more knowledge on this subject will be along though. If I were you I would go visit all the grey's and get the one that picks you. If you can play with all of them a different one may pick you than this one that you are referring to. If this happens, then that makes it all the better. I have heard that boys are more likely to switch their peferred person which is usually not the person that cares for them the most after puberty.

[Tobysmom]

i would also think its a individual thing...i did hear the girls are more moody but that can proably be dismiss by another person that has females

[kimtoo]

my grey is 13 and I would not hesitate to recommend a male....Big Bird is the sweetest, most companionable bird I could ask for. I don't know how common it is for females to lay eggs without a male around but that is one thing I am happy not to have to deal with. I have a fear of egg-binding and continuous egg-laying leading to calcium (among other things) deficiency. With a male I don't have to worry!!

[bekfreak]

I have a one-year-old female TAG who is a bit of a pistol. She's friendly with everyone at this stage but I'm not sure how they really are when they reach that golden age. Featherduster, might be able to help and was one of my insperations on going for my little TAGzilla Bella.

[bb100]

My best advice is to take all those AG myths & throw them out the window. Seriously, I have a male congo grey & I have been his primary caretaker since he came home at 16wks. Never once has he changed his preference - not after year 1 or 2 or you get the picture.. He loves me & I love him and everyday I'm thankful he's in my home.

[EngTeach]

Thanks for all you comments. I've decided to bring home the baby in question no matter the sex. I visited him/her today and it's such a lover. The test results will be back in a week and then I can decide on the name. I'm going to visit my baby a few times a week until its ready to come home in about 4 weeks or so. I'm excited!!!!! I'm naming it either Elphaba or Fiyero after characters from the book Wicked. Elphaba is the name of the wicked witch of the west in The Wizard of Oz and Fiyero is the name of her boyfriend.

[Oscars Mom]

Ive been wondering the same thing about AGs.Ive been waiting for my Tag to be weaned for a whileand getting reallyexcited. The problem is my tag doesnt react to me much when i visitand ive been worried about that lately.At firstthey said it was shy but would outgrow it etc. They have baby congosavailable and 2 in particular i usually end up patting because the tag is unfriendly. Especially one of themwho doesnt perch yet but climbs on meeveryday. Anyway this morning I was going to talkto them about the situationwhen the owner saidsomeyone wanted to put a deposit on the cagbut she didnt take itand told me I should take that bird home instead.I think im going to do it even though ill have to wait 4 weeks. I had a preferance for a tag which arent as available as cags here.I also wanted a boy cause Id read they like oppisite sexed people .They think the cag is a girl.they also have a cag that they think is a boy(the other one i pat,hes cute too)But way more vocal than the girland and I live in a condo.Iknow their personalities change but the owner said you can and should their baby personalities for a good fit. Ive heard you should let a bird pick you andi guess thats what happened. Im glad i went to this pet store cause i told them iwas going to say something today but didnt know if theyed switchand they said no problemthat I could wait for the next batch if i wasnt sure.Imso psyched cause ive actually been more excited to see the baby cag for the last 2 weeksand it was so fun to see her get excited when i got there.

[Kooky's Mom]

I have a male TAG and he is a sweetheart. It sounds to me like you've done the right thing by choosing that baby CAG.

[EngTeach]

We got the sex results back today and the CAG we're getting is a male. I WAS wanting a female, but after visiting our new addition many times over the last couple of weeks, I'm still bringing him home. He's so sweet and lovable. Fiyero will make a wonderful addition to our family. My husband was kind of hoping I'd change my mind and go with a baby rose-breasted cockatoo that just came into the same avery Fiyero is at, but no go. I'm sticking with my CAG.