african grey parrot

[ethanryan]

we have a african grey parrot who is about 10 years old, we would like to have him out of the cage without him flying around like mad. we havnt been able to before now cause of other pets we had . have we left it too late, and how do i introduce the idea to him and stop him flying into walls.

[SonnyCat]

I dont think you have left it too late but you still have to be careful. Im not sure if you can introduce him into the idea without him flying into the walls but i think it is a case of him just getting used to the space.
I suggest that when you first try it you should make sure that it is a bigish, clear room so that he doesnt end up crashing into lamps and plants etc
Good luck with it and id like to say that i am happy that you are letting him out of his cage as this is what a bird needs once in a while instead of being cooped up all his life.
Hope all goes well xxx

[ethanryan]

thanks
we have tried bringing him out but he just goes mad. is it true you can clip his wings to stop him flying off

[lankeela]

Yes you can clip his wings, he won't notice any difference bcause he has been caged for so long so won't have been able to fly far anyway. If you don't know how to do it, get in touch with someone from a local bird centre or aviary and they will do it for you, or ask your vet to do it. It is not painful and if it gives the bird the chance to get out of the cage it is well worth doing. It also makes them easier to handle.

[wildwood]

I would very much consider wing clipping as a very last resort, and then it has to be done by an experienced person. It is no different to tying a dog's back legs together to stop it running away, not a nice thing to do. You also have to be very careful with clipping the wing of a mature bird. It very much depends on the temperament. If it is not used to being handled they can panic when they realise they can't get away from you when they want to and they only have one defence - that vicious beak.

I very much doubt if it will fly around if it has been caged for that long without exercise. If you leave the cage door open it will probably be days before it will even venture out of the cage.

[slinkycat]

Hi, would just like to suggest that you close any curtains before you let him out, apologies if you already do that, we have a cockatiel, and he still hasn't learnt not to fly straight into the windows! The idea is that you can gradually open the curtains a bit more each time he comes out, so that he gets used to it.
Unfortunately our bird is either suicidal or a bit dim! Good luck!

[ethanryan]

we do try and bring him out but he just goes mad, then it is a knightmare trying to get him back in. we havnt tried shuting the curtains yet so might try that thanks

[Avatar]

I hope you're ashamed of yourself keeping an intelligent bird liked a parrot caged up for 10 years. The poor poor bloody thing. Take it to a zoo or aviary where it might have a chance to lead a more fulfilling life I would.

[ethanryan]

well avatar as you dont know the back groubd of the bird or myself how can you comment. loads of people have parrots in cages. we have only had him for 18 month and because we had another pet we couldnt allow the parrot out incase the dog got to him. as the dog was ill and dying we knew he wouldnt have very long left so didnt want to get rid of him.
i think you are very rude, if parrotts and other animals was not meant for a cage they wouldnt sell cages for them. my parrot has a great life since we had him he now talks and sings and will allow my children to put hand in and stroke him, he gets all the love and attention he needs. as he has come from a bad back ground i feel it is best to slowly make changes to his life. next time if you dont have any helpfull advice i would prefer you not to comment at all.
how very rude

[what..the?]

I would say get him a parrot stand if you can afford one they are quite expensive, they are very robust perches with food bowls and a platform to catch droppings. It will give the parrot somewhere to sit - where it is allowed. And the attraction of food in the bowls and toys will make it fly there, or be transfered by hand and prehaps stay there.

I clipped the wings of my cockatiel myself and it was not that hard considering it helps alot to keep them under control when outside the cage by reducing flying and encouraging handrearing.

Re getting him back in have you tried putting him on your hand or a piece of perch/wood by pushing it to his chest and then slowly but swiftly transfering him to his cage, and shutting the door. Or make sure not to feed him for a time before and then if you cannot get him back in then put food in the cage and if he is hungry he will go back.

Remember if a bird is distressed it is always good to a) darken the room b) give them space and not shout at them

[Avatar]

To my mind no birds at all are meant to be caged. Just because 'They' sell cages does not mean 'oh thats ok then'.
If the parrot has not been captured from the wild and has been bred in the UK by a registered breeder *and* the parrot was kept properly in a peaceful home with plenty of attention (i.e. never left alone for long periods during the day) then perhaps I wouldnt get annoyed.
Also it is illegal to keep a bird in a cage so small it can't stretch its wings.

If your bird care meets those criteria then I am happy to apologise for my 'rudeness' if not, please take it to a rescue centre.

[ethanryan]

avatar my parrot has a 3 foot wide cage and 6 foot tall so has plenty of room

[ethanryan]

what the?

thanks for your answer, we have tried the stick to get him in but dont work. he came from a bad previous owner so he is very nervous

[what..the?]

How is it going?

Re the wing clipping have you a good vet that you could go to, ring them up and ask them if they do wing clipping first, as some don't. that will help train him alot.

.,..just thought though...getting him to the vets bet that would be difficult.

A vet coming to you would be very expensive too, could you get the bird to the vet in a cat carrier or such????

I think you will find clipping a parrots wings for the first time on your own without being shown esp. with the bird nervious and all ...would be extremely difficult but would be a massive advantage in training him outside his cage.

Has his cage though got lot of horizonal bars for him to climb around his cage to food etc???? As after his wings are clipped 'if you clip them' he will need to climb to get round his cage.