Conference 7.286::pet_birds

742.0. "Do I need to give up my pet?" by AIMTEC::SIMPSON_L () Mon Oct 19 1992 13:34

    Hello fellow noters,
    
    I would welcome any advice/suggestions/comments etc... on this topic.
    
    My pet African Grey (Kudzu) is becoming a bit of a problem.
    I bought Kudzu when he was 9 weeks old and needed hand feeding twice a
    day.
    When I got him home, however, he decided to wean early and only needed
    to be handfed for a week.  He was then quite happy to eat anything and
    everything offered to him on his own.  This was almost 2 and a half
    years ago.
    
    Recently, when womehting happens to get Kudzu the least bit
    stressed, he has begun to snap at anyone who happens to be within
    reach, including me.
    I have some scars on my hands to show for his treatment.
    Say "no" firmly, or blowing on him, stops him biting for that one time. 
    But he does not, absolutely not, want to be touched by anyone until he
    feels calmer.
    This does not work for me though.  Anything can seem stressful to him
    even if it is my husband making a small noise
    in the kitchen while I am attempting to handle Kudzu a couple of rooms
    away.
    A friend asked if this could be territorial behavior.
    I don't think so as he does it whether he is in the cage or not.
    
    If I am the only one hom, and Kudzu knows this, everythign si fine.
    But if someone else is there, even if they are not in the room with us,
    he snaps at me, OUCH!
    I've tried putting him out on a free-standing perch.  He sits on the
    perch fine.  But the minute I or 
    someone else go to get him, we get snapped at.  Is there anything I can
    do?
    
    My husband is around most of the time.  I cannot ask him to leave for
    the sake of a bird (smile).
    
    Anyway, a breeder has offered to take Kudzu and give me another handfed
    baby in exchange.
    But I'm a littler leary of doing this.  I might end up in the same
    situation again
    when the new baby gets older.  Kudzu was not always like this.
    I welcome any advice/help/comments/ideas/anything anyone has to offer.
    
    Thanks ver much.
    
    Laurie
    

    RE:.0 

    	I've no real experience to draw from but if the breeder is willing
    to exchange it for another handfed baby I'd go for it if I where you.
    Birds are like people they all have their own personality and I see no
    reason to expect the new one to turn out the same as the old one did
    but that's just my opinion your mileage may vary.

    Joe 

    Hi Joe,
    
    Sorry to take so long responding to your response but I
    got busy and have not looked at this file for a while.
    
    Anyway,  thank you for your reply.  I'm still undecided as to what
    I will do with Kudzu.  He's not making it easier either.  He's decided
    to be
    nice again now so it makes it harder to let him go.
    I'll let you know what I decide to do.
    
    Thanks again.
    
    Laurie
    

    maybe it's just a phase he is going thru.  I had a similar problem with
    my bird but he has gotten much better over the last few months.  We
    changed his routine and stopped spoiling him which really made a big
    difference.  
    
    Some people gave me some good advise in a previous note, can't remember
    the number but its just a few notes back.
    
    Good luck!
    
    
    Jeanne