How To Keep An African Grey Parrot Happy

[macawlover]

Right when I got Oscar at 7 months old, I started changing his toys at least every few days for that exact reason. Now, at 1 and a half years old, he's not scared of anything! Once a month I'll take EVERYTHING out of his cage, switch it all around, and he hops in as if nothing happened!

[shibatimes3]

I'm with you! My congo arrives on Monday! I can hardly wait...... This thread was a good read.
Thanks.

[jmfleish]

I have to admit that I'm new to the world of Congos but my Timneh is not neurotic at all and never has been and I think the key is, I've never treated him like he's fragile or that he should be neurotic or psychotic. I also follow a very loose schedule and move his environment around often. Not so much toys which he isn't all that interested in but furniture, cages, etc. Right now he's playing with an empty brown lunch bag that had popcorn in it last weekend and having a ball. Can't beat a cheap toy like that!;)

[Vee]

I also find that my AG just loves his toys. I place a new toy on the outside of his cage and he approaches it on his own during his morning outside the cage. When he is put back into the cage the toy is placed inside and he has an absolute ball, he loves his toys. He even sits and mumbles to the toy.

[Sprecker]

My Congo (Jordy) has alot of playmates and new toys (well anything realy) only startle him if I forget to wait for him to be looking befroe I introduce them to him. If he isn't paying attention and turns arround while I am holding something and suddleny turns back only to find a strange thing in his face he instantly gets spooked and rears back. That's mostly just me being excited to show him the stuff I get for him. After the initial shock (if there is some) he just checks it out and ends up either playing with it or ignoring it. He never really gets phobic about stuff. So far any way.

[xafsmom]

Izzy is fearless. Nothing scares him and he demands new toys. In fact, he demands big macaw toys. It's hilarious to see the big old B&G Tigo daintily playing with Izzy's medium sized toy, and Izzy shrieking, hanging upside down, splinters flying like he's a living buzz saw on Tigo's big macaw chew toys. Izzy tries very hard to do the big macaw "Raaaaaaaah" too lol, though it always sounds like "Raaaa - quack - quack". He does love his ducky noises.

[thedelboy]

Chet Womack is great he has helped me,with various problems in the past(you do not have to pay for his advice but can make a donation) He knows of litterally all "Avain vets in the uk " and he is based in the US of A

[Akasha]

All greys are different but if adapted to change early in their lives they can be just as easy going as the next bird as far as changes in toys and their environment.
My TAG is now almost 2 years old and his toys and perches are regularly moved about and changed. Not every 2 weeks but every couple of months or so, I try to move stuff about, replace some toys with others and move his perches to different spots. I've been doing this with him since he was first in a cage though. It is harder and a slower process with an older grey or one that isn't used to change. I also move his outside of cage toys, like his boing and his favorite swing, to different spots in my house. He likes the change in scenery and it seems to help keep him entertained and happy.

[Congobongo]

I actually found my two Congos love foot toys more than anything and have been playing with them for weeks now and do not seem to get tired of them at all.

I do have to disagree that toys are the only 'trick'. I think they need plenty of 'out of cage time' as well as socialization with you. And, the usual variety of treats and veggies. Mine love apples, unsalted peanuts and broccolli.

I think it is more the complete recipe to a happy Grey than just rotating toys.

[SDavid]

Yeah...the title is inappropriate, theres a bit more that goes into any happy bird. I've got a case of deja vu here because I remember another article written by someone else on this forum with a similar title and similar information. Anyone remember that? It basically said the same thing with similar responses. That it sometimes takes longer than that for a bird to become comfortable around a new toy and to really enjoy it.