Helen has one fussy African Grey parrot. How can she go about introducing him to a new cage with as little fuss as possible?

Question

Hi Glynne

My 4 year old African Grey is in a cage at night and during the day while we’re at work. When we get home and early morning he goes onto his perch. The cage is 1m x 1m x 1m. I’ve been given an opportunity to get a much larger cage (swop). Unfortunately I won’t be able to let him get gradually used to it by putting it next to him that type of thing. I have to give his cage and get the other one. What can I do to make introducing him to a new cage as little upsetting as possible. He’s not a parrot that likes change of any sort. He went into screaming fits one day when I had removed one of his old battered toys and replaced it with a new one. I can add as much as I want but am not allowed to take anything away. I can only throw a thing away once his thrown it on the floor.

Hi Helen
At best you must place all his familiar possessions, toys, favourite foods and perhaps some articles of yours (his beloved) in the new cage before your African Grey is introduced. Do not purchase new stuff for him at this stage because he’s sure to have a hissy-fit and flatten his new home!
Do put your scent all over the cage by touching every part of it – rub your hands over everything including the perches which will most definitely help. Just make his new pad a home from home and I’m sure he’ll love it.
Oh and do keep the cage in the same spot with the same view too.
Good luck
Glynne