Brought C4 Home Today

[flwindsurf]

Brought my first Congo African Grey home today. He was upset when I picked him up so we loosely toweled and cuddled him for the two hour ride home. We returned him to his carrier for the walk into the house which angered him. Had to put his carrier into his cage to extract him. After a couple hours to "cool off" he's preening, shaking his tail feathers, seems to understand "step up" and is starting to step up when offered a hand. I think he's good with his CAG +1 flock. Off to a great start although not sure how his first night alone in his new cage is going to work out. I've read a number of the postings on this forum and want to ThanK those who shared their experiences. BTW his name is C4 and hatched Oct 2023.

 

[Xoetix]

Hello and welcome! Hopefully he settles in well!

 

[Deleted member 57370]

on your new baby boy ( DNA ? )

 

[Birdie Mama]

 

[flwindsurf]

C4's first and second night had no issues. <Whew!> He's enjoying head scratches, beak rubs, cuddling, and likes to put his beak up against my nose. I'm a bit conflicted with THAT behavior. {Oh, No, my nose!} Started clicker training this morning. He accepts his treat happily. He's eating better this morning so his transition is going well.

 

[April]

Aww he's such a handsome boy. Congrats on bringing him home.

 

[flwindsurf]

Having never tried clicker training, yesterday I decided to give it a try. In less than 10 clicks with treats, C4 was hooked and gets excited when he see's me just picking up the clicker. Yesterday, he had two weak attempts with wolf whistles. I let him know I know how to wolf whistle and this morning he greeted me with a robust wolf whistle. It's great having a smart student!

 

[Shannan]

It's great until they outsmart you. Love love love your gray. They are incredibly smart and love to show it. Mine also had a wicked sense of humor....

 

[Emma&pico]

And welcome he’s so stunning they are super smart it’s scary

 

[flwindsurf]

Yesterday morning, without turning on any interior lights, I carried C4 from his cage and placed him on his computer desk perch. I then turned, stepped and barefoot found a wet spot. I looked down and it looked like a pelican had marked the room! I have bird cleanup supplies on the computer desk so I cleaned my foot and the "pelican" mess. I had read African Grey's don't like to eliminate under their nests since it could invite predators. I then went to C4's cage and there were NO droppings on the towel in the bottom of the cage. He had held it all night. I had no idea a bird could do that. All the bird's I've had, in the past, could only hold it until they could mark my shirt.

This morning I got up, picked up C4 and checked the towel which still had no droppings. I took him to his tree perch and he immediately eliminated. If this continues, cage cleanup will be a breeze. This evening, I fed C4 in his cage. When he finished, he flew to the tree perch and eliminated. While potty training is on my to-do list it wasn't something I was going to attempt until I was certain he was very comfortable in his new home. Looks like he's got that training module covered. Pun intended.

 

[expressmailtome]

Welcome, and enjoy the site!

 

[Dartman]

 

[flwindsurf]

Since he doesn't poop in his cage at night, I decided to try toilet training him. Toilet training is complicated. I have to wake up then get up. Put on a shirt and glasses. He doesn't recognize me without glasses. Turn off the ceiling fan. Turn on the bathroom light. Put the toilet lid up. Make sure there's no tripping hazards on the floor. Find his syringe with juice (treat). Get C4 from his cage. Bring him straight to the toilet. Hold him over and say, "Bombs away!" He didn't go. I had to go so I took a seat, gave him a shot of juice, placed him over the trash can and he went. "Bombs away!" Second shot of juice to mark our Success.