Talking Cag

[Jer]

Hi all,
I have a question. I read on a website yesterday that if you have to much interaction with your CAG and handle it too much or if it is left out of the cage more so than not, that the chances of it talking are less than if it were left alone and caged up. I find this hard to believe. Has any else ever heard this??

Jer

[Monica]

I haven't, and sounds like gibberish to me!

[Jer]

Originally Posted by Monica

I haven't, and sounds like gibberish to me!

thanks Monica,
I feel the same

[SavvyMoon]

I never heard that one, either.
BUT, it could be the (true) experiences of ONE particular owner
and ONE particular bird.... I can see the way it could happen;

Bird is busy out of the cage, climbing, chewing, snacking, playing,
and when in the cage with less to do physically, starts talking more to
get attention. ::: shrugs ::: I wouldn't consider it a hard-n-fast training
technique to get a CAG to talk more, though. :icon_smil

Savvy*

[nan]

Sounds like another illogical theory to me. My greys are out of their cage as much as I can safely have them out. They get lots of attention-I talk to them and sing to them like they were my small children, we play games, they listen to children's CDs and watch TV. I think that the primary reason that they say hundreds of words and phrases, make conversation with the humans, discipline each other and the dog and cats, sing songs in tune(Kwanzaa even made up his own song), and even tease us verbally, is because of the attention and stimulation that they are given.

[Jer]

Originally Posted by nan

Sounds like another illogical theory to me. My greys are out of their cage as much as I can safely have them out. They get lots of attention-I talk to them and sing to them like they were my small children, we play games, they listen to children's CDs and watch TV. I think that the primary reason that they say hundreds of words and phrases, make conversation with the humans, discipline each other and the dog and cats, sing songs in tune(Kwanzaa even made up his own song), and even tease us verbally, is because of the attention and stimulation that they are given.

thanks nan, I agree 100%. I just had to get other opinions, i have never heard such a thing. there are SO many different opinions online that contradict each other, but the best advice I have found is here with experienced people.
Thanks
Jer

[Imagemneye]

Hello---Ok so far everyone has agreed that its rubbish--I also agree as far as the time out of the cage.BUT A bird talks to communicate with his/her Flock(Us) .SO they just love to chatter away at Us while we are within ear-shot(us chattering back).But IF You have the bird on your shoulder/arm/lap--etc for Most of the time--He/She already has your attention and does NOT have a Need to talk.An example of this(I know--one bird--but it is an example just the same) When my Daughter got her Baby Grey--she would have him out in her lap on a pillow,playing tickle etc with him almost all the time that she was home(and awake).I had My baby(Gemini) at the same time,they are 9 to 10 weeks different in age(hers the older).I handeled Gemini at feedings and for a bit throughout the day and of course the nite-nite snuggles,other then that She was Out playing on her cage or playground and I was nearby talking to her.Gemini was talking at 4 months old and Bam-Bam (Daughters bird) was not.Jamie(daughter) asked me why her bird wasnt talking yet! I told her to stop holding him all the time--to let him play by himself and to just Talk to Him! Sure enough within 2weeks Bam-Bam started to talk. Haven't You all noticed that when people(or Us) want our birds to talk--in front of other people--they clam up---well they already have your attention.Yea I know there are exceptions to Everything.My Gemini being one of them.If someone walks up to her cage and asks that Famous question"Can she Talk?"--Gemini will Look Up at them and Say"I CANT TALK"
Sorry to be so long winded Bonnie

Originally Posted by Jer

Hi all,
I have a question. I read on a website yesterday that if you have to much interaction with your CAG and handle it too much or if it is left out of the cage more so than not, that the chances of it talking are less than if it were left alone and caged up. I find this hard to believe. Has any else ever heard this??

Jer

[Franciscus]

Here's my five cents worth. It is possible that a grey will talk more to entertain itself when left alone in a cage. My goal is to have happy, healthy birds. If they talk, it's because they want to, not out of boredom. I admit I love it when they do talk and in my opinion the best way to get them to talk is to give LOTS of praise when they do say something. Talk to the bird often, using words in proper context like saying "apple" in different sentences when offering a piece of apple. For example: "Do you want a piece of apple?...Oh boy what a yummy apple...Does the apple taste good?"

Razz (macaw) is my best talker, better than Caillou (grey). I think it's because she simply chooses to talk and thrives on praise. Caillou prefers to make sound effects, such as gurgling water when I'm cleaning, which is just as much fun in my opinion.

[Doug W]

I feel that this was one Individual Owner's Experience. Our friends have 2 Greys and they talk all the time and they spend time in and out of their cage. They are very happy and content birds and the talking NEVER ends :-)

We will be adding a new baby Grey to our Flock soon. He/She will be spending alot of time playing outside of his/her cage. We will let you know our findings :-)