Trying to adjust

[Swampbear]

My Name is Keith and I am a 42 yr old disabled man in West Central Georgia. I recently rescued a CAG from some people that had him on their front porch with Breeder mice, snakes, guinnie pigs, dogs, ect. ect. He has pulled or chewed all of his tail feathers out I am sure that it was done due to stress. I was told that he is 3 yrs. old however I believe he is much younger as he is only about9 inches tall, I havent weighed him yet as he is skittish and I am trying to allow him time to adjust to his new home. When I got him he had two different types of food and I asked which he prefered and was told that he was on Zupreem but that it costed too much so they fed him that 8 in 1 crap. First thing I did was go purchase 20 lbs of Zupreem. He has come quite a ways since being here , only had him for 5 days and I look foward to the day that I can be trusted enough to get him on my hand I know it is a slow process as he is not my first bird, I also have a Yellow Naped that lives with HOGZILLA (My Ex).

[The Outlaw]

Welcome, Keith:

It is often heartbreaking to see the conditions that these poor creatures come from and the way they've been neglected. Ignorance is probably the number one killer of all companion birds.

May I suggest that you also consider feeding your grey a fresh diet. I have a 5 year old Congo that came here looking ratty with bleeding wings from plucking. A year later she is in absolutely perfect feather and probably the happiest bird in my flock of ten. I feed no pellets, but do feed an exemplary fresh diet.

Why not check out the dietary recommendations on this website:

www.landofvos.com

It is a site dedicated to Eclectus parrots, but the dietary suggestions are wonderful for all birds. I'd add a bit more calcium, but aside from that, this diet is wonderful for greys.

Carolyn Swicegood, the site owner, is also our Eclectus expert here on Birdboard. She is just plain wonderful

Hope we hear lots from you. You are now part of OUR family.

[Swampbear]

If I can figure out how to get around on this board I will be happy...lol I forgot to mention the fact that I also feed "Nemo" my CAG a variety of fresh fruits and vegs, all bird safe of corse , as well as supply him with plenty of treats although I watch the sugar and salt. I use unsweetened items and will dip some of them in pasturized honey for sweetness from time to time, I am fixing to put Nemo in Birdie Bootcamp in a few days when my clicker gets here I plan to train with him at least 2 times a day for about 15 mins each. Thanx for the information on diet.

[The Outlaw]

Keith:

This is a HUGE board (LOL). For the most part, its easiest if you chose a forum and follow the threads by hitting the back button. You'll soon be very comfortable here, but it is quite a learning experience.

[Alika]

Congrats on your new baby. He'll come around; just give him lots of love and patience. Two of my three are rescues, and it has been incredibly rewarding to watch their health and behavior make a complete 180. Welcome aboard :)

[tiger2]

Welcome Keith. First thing to know is Greys take time and patience.I adopted my Zazu, a timneh grey, from a family who has 2 teenage boys that would bang on his cage and yell at him. He learned to say a few bad things that he no longer says. They also had him right up next to a macaw. It took me a year to get him to let me pick him up, he still doesn't want to be pet but he has come a long way.He reguritates on me all the time now but doesn't like men. He is away from my other birds since he doesn't like company and we converse all day as he is in my living room with a window into the kitchen so he can see me all the time. Just take it slow, the rewards are definitely worth it!