Stop biting

[alf-the-grey]

Hi i am new to this site can anyone help please

i have just got alf he is 4 years old i have had him for a few weeks now he seems to have setttled very well he will come out of his cage and sit on the top, he will take food from my hand and talks a little but when you put your hand up to give him a scratch or stroke he bites and wont let go i have been spending a lot of time with him to help him settle but he wont stop biting please help

[jbaxter]

I always look very sternly at my boy, Jeremy, and say, "Not to bite the mummy!". Often I hear him repeating that phrase to himself when I'm not in the room. It always makes me smile. 

Cheers,
Julie

[zulusmom]

For "Alf" As I understand, a stern NO and walk away/ignore seems to help. My boy has been responding quite well. He hates it when I leave the room out of his view. I have had to do this over and over and over......... again. I know he will never stop the occassional attack, but I can continue this simple rule. No and walk away. Give it shot. The biting comes with having a grey. Join the crowd. Lol Gotta love him anyway.

[elisablueee]

Avery is four (as some of you know), and he has starting this biting me thing. Had him for two months, but this has never been a problem before. He recently got his own room upstairs, and I think that may have set it off. I introduced him to the room before we moved him in, I am just at a loss of what to do. I want my sweet baby back, but he is just being vicious

[jbaxter]

Why has he got his 'own room'? Surely he would be happier with the rest of the family? 

Cheers,
Julei

[elisablueee]

He has his own room because the rest of the family are not the people that want to care for him and don't like how loud he is. He and I are moving out in a year, as I am unable to live on my own because I am still in highschool. They love him, but not enough to have him interupt their lives, which is a really sore subject with me because he is my everything. But as it is, I am his sole caregiver (though they do come upstairs and bring him treats all throught the day) and I am the one who interacts with him all the time and removes him from his cage and he spends every moment that I am home out of his cage. I rotate his toys, he has a TV in there and a radio, the curtains are always open, I clean his cage daily so he is CERTAINLY not being mistreated. I just need help.

[ukgrey]

It's normal at his age to test the boundaries and become a little nippy, make it clear that biting is unacceptable by giving him time out and stick with him.  He'll settle down eventually

[elisablueee]

Thank you 
It is so bad that when he is out of the cage and starts biting, I can't even grab him or anything to get him into his cage.
This is just so frustrating.

[ukgrey]

This is why a lot of four year old greys are rehomed   given a little time they do settle down again but in the mean time stick with him and you'll both be fine together

[elisablueee]

It's good to hear that this will pass. It seriously started today with no provocation, and it makes me feel as if I damaged his trust or something even though I have never done anything to cause him harm.

 I'm going to call a vet tomorrow, because I think there might be something else going on. I noticed his poop has way too much liquid in it to be normal, and when it dries it is yellow. I might just be freaking myself out for no reason but losing him is not an option for me.

[elisablueee]

I'm pretty sure he is okay though. But better safe than sorry.

[elisablueee]

After a particularly nasty bite that left a huge bruise and blood on my arm, he seemed apologetic and gave me kisses, so at least he recognizes that he hurt me.

[rawleyd]

Moving him into a room by himself, I can see this possibly making him a little... pissy? lol
Surely he wants to be around everybody as much as possible! He's a flock bird, and that's where he feels safe, in the flock.

[ukgrey]

Being in his own room is not permanent for this bird and prevents him from being covered prematurely by other people in the house.  In the given situation it's the best that can be done

[elisablueee]

Yes, he was being covered at eight in the evening while being uncovered at nine in the morning. This gives me more control over how long he is covered and what time TO cover him for bed. Now he is covered at ten, uncovered at six thirty and able to sleep during the day.