New "Baby"... Maybe? Input Needed...

[oONightFireOo]

Howdy Everyone!

This afternoon I spoke with someone who is looking to re home his Congo African Grey. We emailed each other back and forth for awhile, and then we spoke on the phone for a bit. It started off with my seeing an ad on Craig's List - and whenever I see those, I always email them just to see what is going on and if I can help out anyway... Craig's List is notorious for having all kinds of people wanting birds as a novelty item but knowing NOTHING about their care... so I check in whenever I see them...

I had been wanting an African Grey for awhile, but was scared about their reputation for bonding to one person. I was impressed with this owner, as he said that he would need to come and visit my home before he let us have his CAG... which was a nice change from many others that are just looking to make a quick buck...

But this guy, Rascal, is about 5 and 1/2 years old. He has had one owner - was purchased at a petstore. He's been DNA sexed and is on a diet that consists of Roudybush, fruits veggies, and some meats here and there. The owner got a promnotion at work - which made him work out of town during the week - so he couldn't spend as much time with Rascal - and Rascal started shying away from eveyone.

He wants $600 for him and the full setup. He does not pluck any of his feathers and has only bitten someone one time in the past five years. I have rescued several birds, many of which had all kinds of "personality disagreements" with me... so I can deal with biting, screaming - and all that fun stuff... I am not really worried much about behavior problems as other things.

I found out he uses our same vet, so I am going there to talk to him this afternoon. With all of our babies - we've become pretty close! But is $600 too pricey for this setup? He is sending me pictures and plans on visiting our house over the next couple of days - and we are also going to go and meet Rascal so that we can see how well he takes to us...

But any thoughts? Suggestions? Recommendations?
Let me know what you think...

Thanks!
~Kevin

[teenab]

I just re-homed a timneh african grey. I paid 500 for him & his cage - off craigslist. My guy is 17 years old, I'm at least the third owner. The previous owner had him for a year...got bit once & worked him out of the biting...but basically left the bird alone otherwise. We've had him for about two months now. He does prefer my fiance but will ride around on either one of our shoulders! It took a couple weeks for us to trust him enough - but the guy said the bird didn't like to be touched but we noticed him leaning in towards us when we'd have him on our hands so my fiance got brave & decided to see what he'd do. He perched on Tom's shoulder and did his little mating dance! Now every time we work in the yard - he's on one of our shoulders. He's tempermental but we know his body language. We now have two timnehs (another rescue) & two cinnamon greenk cheeks. The greys are next to each other & we still can't touch the new one. She lets me reach in to change food dishes but that's about it. Well, she will take food from our hands. She also seems to prefer men - with her - it seems to be my little brother. He sits by her cage & she hangs as far out as she can without falling off. He reaches to her but she backs away. She's 30 so I suspect it will take longer to win her over...but my brother sure is trying! I believe I am also her 3rd owner. Her original owner died, new owner had her for a year but could never touch her & then I got her. Personally I don't care if I can touch her so long as she's healthy happy & well cared for. I paid 300 for her & a pitiful little cage. I have a larger cage set up next to hers but she hasn't ventured over to it yet. I was told the cage she's in has been her cage her whole life. I don't even close the door. She climbs on top but never off of the cage. I'm hoping she'll move into the other cage on her own. I think she started climbing to it once but I came into the room & scared her.

I guess it's really going to depend on your interaction with the bird. I read a lot about greys before we got the first one & some of it's been right on the money - some not even close. I didn't mind paying for the birds because I didn't want to think about them going to bad homes where who only knows what would have happened when they didn't perform as expected. My fiance has banned me from craigslist now! Actually we have an understanding that I'm not allowed to BUY any more birds. I can get as many as I want for free though!

I think 600 is a good deal. My fiance would probably disagree. He sounds like he's young enough & been treated well - in which case - it's probably a great deal. Cages alone can be very expensive.

[LoveMyBeak]

Yes that is an excellent deal, I would do it. Especially since you are both working closely with each other to make sure the welfare of the bird comes first. And by the sound of how the seller is, I bet if you were hurtin for money, he would have come down on the price some he seems genuine and is only wanting the bird to get the love and care that he is used to getting............LMB

[goodshep]

I agree. I got my 2 yr old timneh as a rehome for 600.00 He came with a nice big cage and lots of food. He had been treated well previously and he's a very nice bird, no bad habits. Considering the CAGs typically go for more than the TAGs I'd say its a fair price.

[becca623]

I don't think it's "too expensive" if you have the time and money for the guy. You could offer less money after he sees your home. He might be willing to some down on the price some. Good luck!

[Lisa B]

I think you guys are doing it right. Vet info, home visit, and who knows, he might come down on the price once he sees you are the right person.
good luck!

[babypiggy]

thats a really good deal

we got ajax for $1250 (I think we got ripped off along with his toe issues) no cage no nothing jsut ajax alone in a dog crate

[oONightFireOo]

Well....

More than anything, I think I was honestly looking for someone who could talk me out of taking him home. I knew it wasn't a bad price - but at the same time, I knew that the owner was looking for a "rescue" type of situation - where he was well aware that the baby would need a lot of time and attention to start to warm up to people again. I talked to his owner many many many times and eventually asked him to look for other people who could take care of him, as a LOT of stuff was going on in my family... involving the national news - so the week was truly INSANE!!!

Ugh.... if you only knew...lol...

But after speaking with him, he called me the next morning and told me that he knew things were really crazy for me - but he couldn't stop thinking about it at night. He told me that after all of our conversations, emails, visits, and references - that he thought "Rascal" would be best coming and living with us if we were willing to give him the love and care he needed and deserved....

Willing to give a bird time, love, and care? Me...??

Well... needless to say, I am upstairs typing this message... right after "tucking in" Rascal for the night. He's a little freaked out in his new home - but it taking well to the other bird noises - and I am sure he will fit in perfectly.

Of course... pictures to come soon!

I don't know what is going on in Raleigh recently... but everyone needs a rescue or re home for their birds (it seems). In the past few weeks we've gotten Sunny (Sun Conure), Bird (Quaker) and now Rascal...

AND - on top of that... I've been contacted about a Senegal, 2 Green Cheeks, an IRN, and a Blue and Gold... Sheeeeesh! Of course, I wouldn't ever even consider them if I didn't have the time and ability to give them all the love, attention, and proper care that they needed (and spoil every last one of them completely rotten)...

But these past weeks have been quite busy in terms of flock growth... but no regrets here!!! I love all my babies!

Sleep Well!
~Kevin

[Ina246]

Congrats on the newest baby. I hope that your next week is not as crazy as your last week was. I wish I was in Raleigh, no one here rehomes, they all sell. And most are trying for a profit. One guy said he just wanted to "recoup the money I(he) wasted on this DUMB bird". He was a charmer, but the bird was beyond my price range. If he found someone to pay that price they will probably get rid of it too because they obviously have no bird knowledge.

[Tom Lawless]

Congratulations. I am glad you got Rascal. It sounds like he was well cared for and I think his transition to your house will be an easy one. I hope your life quickly calms down so that you can bond with and enjoy all of your birds.

It is amazing how many rehome offers come your way when people know you like birds. I imagine it can be real hard to say no.