Is it really expensive to own an African Grey?

Question

I've heard that it's pretty costly to own an African Grey, but I've been looking in to adopting one, which will come with cage, toys, etc., but how expensive is it for food and all? And do they get loud? My next door neighbor is kinda cranky, and would probably call the cops, she's done it before when we had my old sun conure. Would they do alright with two dogs in the house? Just looking for general information on the birds. Thanks.

Answer 1

Hey i have one. there really cute and all. there not THAT loud that your neighbor would hear it. You get used to it after awhile, its nto really annoying or anything. its mimicks the ushual sounds that it might hear in your household. Food isnt expensive, it lasts for awhile. Mine loves to eat chicken wings and stuff when i order food. It would do fine with the dogs. i have a dog that barks at it all the time but its fine lol.

Answer 2

yea african greys are very nice cuddly talkative and not realy noisy , there food runs about 6$-15$ not realy costy and it last you about a mounth african greys are smartest of most birds and have an extended vocabulary up to 700 words , and they get along with other animals great , there friendly torrward them unlike some birds , african greys are a big commentment  they can last to 75 years , so good luck!

Answer 3

Not expensive to own once you have the cage and accessories.  I use pelleted food, which runs about $12.00 a bag and lasts a couple of months.  Also she gets a small scoop of a good parrot seed mix daily, and that's not expensive either.  You'll want to buy toys to keep her interested, and regular grooming visits (maybe 2-3 times a year) for nail and wing trims.  They are not screamers like other parrots, but can learn to imitate any sound!

http://www.itsagreysworld.com/home.html

http://www.africangreys.com/

Answer 4

Well bird seed can be expensive, if you buy it at Pet smart or Petco.  It is really less if you can find a feed store, or smaller pet shop.  All Parrots are a expense.  I have an African Grey and he really is not too loud, but he can be.  It will depend on the bird, they all have different personalities and levels of noise. I don't think they would be as bad as a sun conure. Depending on the size of the dogs. I have a cat and a small dog, both stay away, I have also had big dogs, for the most part there is a truce.  Parrots have big painfull beaks and they will use them.  The one part that is expensive is if you have to see and Avian vet they are usually more expensive.  You will have to train your dogs a little too.  My Grey walks all over the floor and I don't have a problem, but thats here. Toys are expensive.  Cages are ridiculous  So Good luck finding all of it together, don't have a small cage, the bigger the better, the more toys the quieter the bird.  Parrots do take a lot of time.  They are not just when you feel like it pets.

Answer 5

They are costly because of the sheer numbers of toys they need to keep them busy (and the playstand as well).  The initial cost is the biggest piece but the avian vet visits and toy costs (around 15-20 bucks a pop) will catch up to you.  Without these toys greys are very prone to pluck their feathers. Perches will need to be placed eventually and food isn't cheap.  Pellets should be a decent brand, and get the kind that has no coloring since some birds can be allergic.  Kaytee, Harrisons, and Roudybush are all decent pellets and will provide your grey with a wlel rounded diet.  Seed should play a small part in that diet and don't forget fruits and veggies.  Once you get past the initial cost (parrots, the cage, the playstand, perches and first set of toys), expect to pay 50-100 a month in toys (that's about what I spend on my amazon alone) as well as food (pellets are about 30 bucks for 10lb bag and seed is about 10-15).  So I'd say they are fairly expensive, more so then the average parrot but they arne't as expensive as cockatoos or macaws since most greys aren't as destructive with their toys.  I wouldn't consider greys very loud as far as parrots their size go(but it depends on the individual), and your grey will be ok with the dogs once she adapts and gets used to them.  Be sure to keep them seperated to prevent any accidents, and tyr to teach the dogs that birds are off limits.  Greys are also very demanding time wise.  They require about 4-6 hours a day out of the cage with you, and in that at least 1 hour of one on one.

Answer 6

There are three types of African Greys, the most common is the Congo, then the Timneh, then the Camaroon.  I don't think I would know a Camaroon unless I saw it right next to a Congo as it's just slightly smaller.  The Timneh is more slender and has a bone colored top beak.  The biggest difference between the Timneh and the Congo is the tendency toward timidness and fearfulness toward new things (so they say).  I understand that the Timneh is more likely to talk, but all birds talk on thier own time.  Afrrican Grey are not generally as loud as many other birds tend tto be, most specifically the larger cockatoos and your conure who was a vey typical conure and very louud.  Dixie, my AG (I have two Quakers as well) makes a few loud noises, but only as loud as a single drum bong.  It's her jungle noise.  Otherwise, she talks as loud as we talkl.  When she tells the Quakers "shhh, quiiet!" she get a little loud, but not louder than them.  I have a deal with a breeder close to me where I can get the food for about $2.50 a pound.  The breeder buys it in bulk and selling some to me helps him out and helps me out a LOT.  Oherwise the food is about $35.00 for 7 pounds.  And you will want a good quality food, so getting it from a breeder is even better than buying it from a pet shop because that's what they are feeding thier birds and the birds have to be healthy or they won't breed.  Pet shops don't care.  Plunk your money down and walk out the door and you relationship is over.  You will have to have enough toys to rotate them so your bird doesn't get bored.  A total of 5 toys should be enough.  Let me tell you that bird toys are hugely expensive, so I get baby toys.  They are usually the right size for my birds, including the little guys.  You will also want to have some toys that your bird can destroy.  If you buy bird toys for destruction, you're gonna pay out the wazooo.  There's lots of really fun stuff you can make out of toilet paper rolls and popsicle sticks and stuff like that.  I give my three birds fresh fruit and vegetables every morning.   I guess I give them about $5.00 worth weekly and that's for three of them.  I could just give them a bit of my own food, but I don't cook for rmyself or I wouldn't half to pay for that.  You MUST have the abiilty to pay for an avian vet.  You will not expect a problem, but it will happen.  Have that money available before you nneed it.

I have never had a problem with my birds and dogs but the dogs must be educated to the birds and know they cannot play with them at all.  Bird and dog accidents are rarely a result of aggression, usually play on the part of the dog.  I have had severall service dogs in the house with my AG and that is always the case:  the dog wants tto play with the bird and the bird is not afraid (in fact she once walked across a dog's back in order to go from a table to a lap).  Cats are another matter.  Get a spray bottle and spray a steady and fast stream of water into the cats face every time the cat stares at the bird.  And know that one of these days,, the cat will tangle with the bird when you are not around.  (Mine did)  Now my cat will not even look at my birds except to find out where they are to avoid going there!

You are already doing the right thing:  you are doing research before you get your bird.  You're brilliant!!  

Oh yeah, and another expense is the rep[aceent of non-stick cookware, cause you can't use it in a house with birds!