Handling & Biting

[Tomcat]

Hello All

After getting my first grey 2 days ago, i have a question!

He seems to have settled well, and makes his little noises and tries to talk every so often.

Yesterday night, i sat on the floor with him for about an hour. I sat in one corner, and he started in the other, over about 30 minutes, he gradually made his way over to me, before stopping roughly 30cm's away.

He then proceeded to walk to me, and then away, until he got about 2 inches away. He then came closer, put one foot on my knee, then someone called me and he walked away, i left it at that for the night.

I had him out on the floor again earlier, this time he started pretty close, and got so close, that his chest and neck was resting against my leg.

Here is the question - Everytime he is close to my leg, he proceeds to bite my jeans, which i presume is his way of testing me to stand on? He never did stand up on me until a little later on.

Something spooked him, and he flew away, accidently landing on my leg (I had it resting on the wall, so was raised). He stood there for a while, and when i went to touch him with my hand, would let me scratch the back of his neck, until he turned his head to try to bite. Why does he try to bite, but let me scratch his neck?

Also, when ever i go to touch his legs or chest in order of stepping up, he ducks his head towards my hand as if he wants to bite, to which i pull my hand away and let him be. Does he actually want to bite me?

Im not rushing him, and am happy to take it at his pace.

Not once have i forced him out of his cage, i open the door and he flies out instantly.

Thanks all, Tom.

[pearllyn]

Tomcat wrote:

Im not rushing him, and am happy to take it at his pace.

You've hit the nail on the head there Tom. It's still very early days and Ollie is doing expectionally well by coming as close as he is this soon!

I expect you are right about him biting your jeans, he is testing that they are worthy of him standing on, lol! He will do the same with you fingers before he steps up onto your hand. Greys use their beaks very much as an extra leg, my grey still often takes a hold with her beak before she climbs onto my hand. She will be 2yo next month.

With regards to him letting you scratch him, and then seem to want to bite, that could be his way of telling you he's had enough.
Alfie will do this with me, although when she is in a more mellow mood, she will take a hold of my finger gently, and remove it to an acceptable distance!!

Key word here is patience, but it sounds as if you are going about things the right way.

Good luck with him and keep us posted!

[Tomcat]

Hi Pearllyn

Thanks for the advice and i will carry on taking things slowly, dont think it will be long before he is happy to be handled the way he is going!

When he bites my jeans, he actually really bites them, so im abit dubious of letting him test my fingers.

I know im probably going to get bitten at some point anyway.
Thanks, Tom.

[pearllyn]

Hi Tom
Some people here on the forum have never ever been bit by their greys. Alas, I'm not one of them. I have had several bad ones from Alfie, but there usually is a reason for it!
There are several ways to avoid severe bites, though - learn to read him body language and simply don't give him the chance to bite, here is a link to a useful thread on the subject

http://www.greyforums.net/forums/limitstart/20/training/109373-body-language-most-frequently-seen.html

Also, if you are worried about being bit, the worse thing you can do is let him know it. Instead, ball your hand up into a fist (tight skin - harder to nip) and offer it confidently!
And, if you do get a nip, try not to react - my grey takes great pleasure in pulling my hair and then letting out my squeal before I do - she thinks it's hilarious!! If they are nipping through devilment, they soon tire of it when there is no reaction!!

I do think though, Ollie is just being cautious at this stage, give him plenty of toys he can chew, so he doesn't feel so inclined to chomp on your clothes!

[Tomcat]

Hello

He has alot of toys in his cage, wooden ones and rope to chew etc.

When he bit my jeans, i think it was just a 'is it safe to stand on' bite, nothing nasty.

Im just nervouse of letting him bite to test my hand though.

[pearllyn]

Lol - understandable Tom, but you're a bloke (I assume!) You can handle it!!
Anyway the regular test bites don't hurt at all.

[Tomcat]

Im a bloke, who likes Play fighting with mates, not being bitten by a parrot :P I bet he is stronger than me anyway lol

[pearllyn]

Tomcat wrote:

Im a bloke, who likes Play fighting with mates, not being bitten by a parrot :P I bet he is stronger than me anyway lol

{Feel-good-0002006E}

[Tomcat]

he is currently sat infront of me, and will let me stroke his head and doesnt mind touching his beak.

Everytime i go down to his feet to step up, he lowers his beak as if to bite, im scared it will hurt lol

[pearllyn]

Haha - well that's easy then! If he doesn't mind you touching his head, just leave it there and don't push for anything else until he is ready.
I do understand you wanting to pet him - they are soooo hard to resist - sometimes I just want to give Alfie a big kiss and cuddle, but I daren't unless I want my lip pierced!!:laugh: