Should I buy these two fearful friends?

[Gary]

Hello,

I have been an amateur bird keeper for a long time now, and have owned
Budgies, Cockatiels and Lovebirds several times over the past 20 years.

I have the chance to purchase 2 Congo African Grey Parrots with a large
cage, £600 GBP - from a local bird shop. According to the owner, these are
the only 2 left from a group of 6.

One is male, the other female, and they are both approximately 1 year old.

When I went to look at the birds in the shop, they FREAKED OUT big time.
They growled, and clung to the furthest away part of the cage - they
obviously don't like me and / or visitors much. They let out some
tremendous screeches too.

Looking for thoughts, I have plenty of time on my hands, and I am very
patient. I would love to turn these two birds into affectionate life long
friends, but the display of fear in the shop has put me off and concerned me
a little.

When I asked the shop owner, he said that African Greys are very emotional
birds, but if I get them into the house, they should calm down around me
after a week or two.

He said speak to them every day, try not to put my hands too close to them,
and just make them a part of the family as much as possible.

What do you guys think? £600 is a lot to spend if the birds are going to
hate me ;) I want the two of them to stop them getting bored.

Thanks,

Gary.
PS - Well aware of the commitment, ongoing expense, time and work involved -
and fully prepared to accept all of it, just hope I end up with two
affectionate parrots!!!.

[David G Fisher]

With time and patience, it can be done. You sound to me like you are a good
candidate to take care of these birds. You might be the best chance they are
going ot have for a good home.

Dave

Post by Gary
Hello,
I have been an amateur bird keeper for a long time now, and have owned
Budgies, Cockatiels and Lovebirds several times over the past 20 years.
I have the chance to purchase 2 Congo African Grey Parrots with a large
cage, £600 GBP - from a local bird shop. According to the owner, these
are the only 2 left from a group of 6.
One is male, the other female, and they are both approximately 1 year old.
When I went to look at the birds in the shop, they FREAKED OUT big time.
They growled, and clung to the furthest away part of the cage - they
obviously don't like me and / or visitors much. They let out some
tremendous screeches too.
Looking for thoughts, I have plenty of time on my hands, and I am very
patient. I would love to turn these two birds into affectionate life long
friends, but the display of fear in the shop has put me off and concerned
me a little.
When I asked the shop owner, he said that African Greys are very emotional
birds, but if I get them into the house, they should calm down around me
after a week or two.
He said speak to them every day, try not to put my hands too close to
them, and just make them a part of the family as much as possible.
What do you guys think? £600 is a lot to spend if the birds are going to
hate me ;) I want the two of them to stop them getting bored.
Thanks,
Gary.
PS - Well aware of the commitment, ongoing expense, time and work
involved - and fully prepared to accept all of it, just hope I end up with
two affectionate parrots!!!.

[pammyT]

Post by Gary
Hello,
I have been an amateur bird keeper for a long time now, and have owned
Budgies, Cockatiels and Lovebirds several times over the past 20 years.
I have the chance to purchase 2 Congo African Grey Parrots with a large
cage, £600 GBP - from a local bird shop. According to the owner, these are
the only 2 left from a group of 6.
One is male, the other female, and they are both approximately 1 year old.
When I went to look at the birds in the shop, they FREAKED OUT big time.
They growled, and clung to the furthest away part of the cage - they
obviously don't like me and / or visitors much. They let out some
tremendous screeches too.
Looking for thoughts, I have plenty of time on my hands, and I am very
patient. I would love to turn these two birds into affectionate life long
friends, but the display of fear in the shop has put me off and concerned me
a little.
When I asked the shop owner, he said that African Greys are very emotional
birds, but if I get them into the house, they should calm down around me
after a week or two.
He said speak to them every day, try not to put my hands too close to them,
and just make them a part of the family as much as possible.
What do you guys think? £600 is a lot to spend if the birds are going to
hate me ;) I want the two of them to stop them getting bored.
Thanks,
Gary.
PS - Well aware of the commitment, ongoing expense, time and work involved -
and fully prepared to accept all of it, just hope I end up with two
affectionate parrots!!!.

The pet shop owner will tell you anything to make a dsale. I suspect that
theese are imported african greys hence their fear. They will in all
liklihood never tame down and be pets. They are best suited to an aviary. On
top of this they are too expensive for imported aivary african greys by
about £150. Don't touch them with a bargepole and take your custom to a more
ethical pet shop.

[Pay Attention Pammy]

Post by pammyT

Post by Gary
Hello,
I have been an amateur bird keeper for a long time now, and have owned
Budgies, Cockatiels and Lovebirds several times over the past 20 years.
I have the chance to purchase 2 Congo African Grey Parrots with a large
cage, £600 GBP - from a local bird shop. According to the owner, these

are

Post by Gary
the only 2 left from a group of 6.

The pet shop owner will tell you anything to make a dsale. I suspect that
theese are imported african greys hence their fear. They will in all
liklihood never tame down and be pets. They are best suited to an aviary. On
top of this they are too expensive for imported aivary african greys by
about £150. Don't touch them with a bargepole and take your custom to a more
ethical pet shop.

Jynx already outed Gary out as buying the birds on the 14th and then posting
his inquiry on the 16th. Pay attention, Pammy, your usual negative opinion
is a little too little, too late.

BTW, learn to spellcheck.

[Jim]

Sorry the pic is here:
http://www.adtrader.co.uk/image_show2.php?image_id=253987



He's apparently a real character, loves being petted and talks lots. He
will be in same room as the two greys, but a seperate large cage.

I have a four bedroom house, and only need one room - I may convert one to a
bird room, I need to try and see a few examples of bird rooms before making
a commitment. I like the thought of them being able to fly about without
the restrictions of a relatively small cage.

[Peter Hucker]

Post by Jim
http://www.adtrader.co.uk/image_show2.php?image_id=253987
He's apparently a real character, loves being petted and talks lots. He
will be in same room as the two greys, but a seperate large cage.
I have a four bedroom house, and only need one room - I may convert one to a
bird room, I need to try and see a few examples of bird rooms before making
a commitment. I like the thought of them being able to fly about without
the restrictions of a relatively small cage.

You could let them fly freely through the whole house. That's if you want to spend all day cleaning up and repairing things they destroy....
--
http://www.petersparrots.com
http://www.insanevideoclips.com
http://www.petersphotos.com

O
(_)
_ )_( _
/`_) H (_`\
.' ( { } ) '.
_/ /` '-'='-' `\ \_
[_.' _,...,_ '._]
| .:"`````":. |
|__//_________\\__|
| .-----------. |
| | .-"""-. | |
| | / / \ | |
| ||- < -|| |
| | \ \ / | |
| |[`'-...-'`]| |
| | ;-.___.-; | |
| | | ||| | | |
| | | ||| | | |
| | | ||| | | |
| | | ||| | | |
| | | ||| | | |
| | | _|||_ | | |
| | | >===< | | |
| | | |___| | | |
| | | ||| | | |
| | | ;-; | | |
| | | ( ) | | |
| | | '-' | | |
| | '-------' | |
_| '-----------' |_
[= === === ==== == =]
[__--__--___--__--__]
/__-___-___-___-___-__\
`"""""""""""""""""""""""`

[Jim]

Post by Peter Hucker
You could let them fly freely through the whole house. That's if you want
to spend all day cleaning up and repairing things they destroy....

The 3 cats might not appreciate it :)

[Peter Hucker]

Post by Jim

Post by Peter Hucker
You could let them fly freely through the whole house. That's if you want
to spend all day cleaning up and repairing things they destroy....

The 3 cats might not appreciate it :)

Depends on the size of the birds.

[Gloria Carr]

Post by Peter Hucker

Post by Jim

Post by Peter Hucker
You could let them fly freely through the whole house. That's if you want
to spend all day cleaning up and repairing things they destroy....

The 3 cats might not appreciate it :)

Depends on the size of the birds.

Size matters not. My cats are terrified of my little black-capped conure and
his horrible tail-chewing beak. I keep them well seperated, more for the
cat's sense of comfort then the bird's safety.

Gloria

[Peter Hucker]

Post by Gloria Carr

Post by Peter Hucker

Post by Jim

Post by Peter Hucker
You could let them fly freely through the whole house. That's if you want
to spend all day cleaning up and repairing things they destroy....

The 3 cats might not appreciate it :)

Depends on the size of the birds.

Size matters not. My cats are terrified of my little black-capped conure and
his horrible tail-chewing beak. I keep them well seperated, more for the
cat's sense of comfort then the bird's safety.

Yes, conures can be agressive little things. I have 6.

[Jim]

Post by Gloria Carr
Size matters not. My cats are terrified of my little black-capped conure
and his horrible tail-chewing beak. I keep them well seperated, more for
the cat's sense of comfort then the bird's safety.
Gloria

Our cats and birds seem to have mutual respect for each other, they have not
been in the room at the same time though unless the birds are secured in the
cage. I dont think I will ever mix them directly, without the cage in
place.

[Wheeler]

Everyone is afraid of that little beast, he is a blood thirsty demon. (not
really just chewed the shit out of me)

Bob W
--
Check out our web site,
A few new features and new pictures.
http://www.onemorebird.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/parrotletsandfun/

Post by Gloria Carr

Post by Peter Hucker

Post by Jim

Post by Peter Hucker
You could let them fly freely through the whole house. That's if you want
to spend all day cleaning up and repairing things they destroy....

The 3 cats might not appreciate it :)

Depends on the size of the birds.

Size matters not. My cats are terrified of my little black-capped conure
and his horrible tail-chewing beak. I keep them well seperated, more for
the cat's sense of comfort then the bird's safety.
Gloria

[Gloria Carr]

Post by Wheeler
Everyone is afraid of that little beast, he is a blood thirsty demon.
(not really just chewed the shit out of me)
Bob W

Oh, but he's sweet as pie now. He's even being nice to Dad! Must be the
heat.

Heh. Did I ever tell you about my former co-worker's fallow greencheak,
Paisley? That evil little thing not only took a chunk out of our manager's
finger, he ATE it. Chowed it down with an evil little chuckle. Man-eating
bird, that.

Gloria

[Wheeler]

Weslie's brother?

Bbob W
--
Check out our web site,
A few new features and new pictures.
http://www.onemorebird.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/parrotletsandfun/

Post by Gloria Carr

Post by Wheeler
Everyone is afraid of that little beast, he is a blood thirsty demon.
(not really just chewed the shit out of me)
Bob W

Oh, but he's sweet as pie now. He's even being nice to Dad! Must be the
heat.
Heh. Did I ever tell you about my former co-worker's fallow greencheak,
Paisley? That evil little thing not only took a chunk out of our manager's
finger, he ATE it. Chowed it down with an evil little chuckle. Man-eating
bird, that.
Gloria

[stupidph]

Post by Peter Hucker

Post by Jim

Post by Peter Hucker
You could let them fly freely through the whole house. That's if you want
to spend all day cleaning up and repairing things they destroy....

The 3 cats might not appreciate it :)

Depends on the size of the birds.
--

what an idiotic thing to say

[Wheeler]

You might ask Pammy's brother the Vet to give you a referral!

Bob W
--
Check out our web site,
A few new features and new pictures.
http://www.onemorebird.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/parrotletsandfun/

Post by pammyT
The pet shop owner will tell you anything to make a dsale. I suspect that
theese are imported african greys hence their fear. They will in all
liklihood never tame down and be pets. They are best suited to an aviary. On
top of this they are too expensive for imported aivary african greys by
about £150. Don't touch them with a bargepole and take your custom to a more
ethical pet shop.

[noh bdy]

These birds need a FULL TIME commitment ; that which you cannot give them.

Post by Gary
Hello,
I have been an amateur bird keeper for a long time now, and have owned
Budgies, Cockatiels and Lovebirds several times over the past 20 years.
I have the chance to purchase 2 Congo African Grey Parrots with a large
cage, £600 GBP - from a local bird shop. According to the owner, these
are the only 2 left from a group of 6.
One is male, the other female, and they are both approximately 1 year old.
When I went to look at the birds in the shop, they FREAKED OUT big time.
They growled, and clung to the furthest away part of the cage - they
obviously don't like me and / or visitors much. They let out some
tremendous screeches too.
Looking for thoughts, I have plenty of time on my hands, and I am very
patient. I would love to turn these two birds into affectionate life long
friends, but the display of fear in the shop has put me off and concerned
me a little.
When I asked the shop owner, he said that African Greys are very emotional
birds, but if I get them into the house, they should calm down around me
after a week or two.
He said speak to them every day, try not to put my hands too close to
them, and just make them a part of the family as much as possible.
What do you guys think? £600 is a lot to spend if the birds are going to
hate me ;) I want the two of them to stop them getting bored.
Thanks,
Gary.
PS - Well aware of the commitment, ongoing expense, time and work
involved - and fully prepared to accept all of it, just hope I end up with
two affectionate parrots!!!.