Getting used to being handled?

[rae]

So most of you know Basal is being hand tamed. He is now 9-10 months old and was never handled before. He's doing great. I can even trim his nails, but we have to do this combo of step up onto the other hand so I can angle the clippers again, and reasonably he gets tired of me quickly. He only needed this done because of his cage setup at the store not having natural branch perches. But I was thinking about trying to get him used to being handled for a good check over every once and a while. Like wing stretches, beak checks, and toes/legs, without it being an ordeal.
Should I just continue as I'm doing and eventually we will be at a level where this won't be a big deal to him? Or should I handle him shortly now to get him used to it?
I can do the hand hold, with the bird's head between my index and middle finger, but only with my right hand, leaving me to check him over with my non-dominant hand. If I try with my left hand he wiggles loose and we both end up stressed.
Should I just be practicing this more?

[Hezz]

Practise more, I think. He, and you, will get there. It is so much easier having to handle a bird when they and you are both used to the whole ordeal. Hold him and talk gently to him all the time, stroking his feathers on the side of his beak. I made this video a while back to show how stress-free handling the birds can be to all concerned. Once you have them in your hand then you can move them around to suit where you want to look, give meds, or whatever. I do it with all of mine regularly, and you do need to continue the practice otherwise they do revert to type.

budgerigarsforum.proboards.com/thread/7410/easy-catching-hold-budgie

[suesbird]

great video, but my vision of you was totally opposite than you are, funny how we all get different images of people in our mind

[rae]

I'll make sure to watch the video Hezz. We had a step back on him wanting to comply with step up so I think some training in the bathroom is due. I may handle him for a look over after watching the video while we are in there.

[Marianne Marlow]

Hezz you make it look so easy!

[rae]

You can tell yours are used to it. Basal will consistently get on my index finger so I was having trouble getting him on the pinky without him jumping up.
I took him to the bathroom after I finished a shower. I didn't handle him too much in an examination way, but I managed to check his claws and feet and briefly stretch each wing once. I put him in the tub with the puddles still there in the hopes he might be interested in a bath. He just ran around, so I had to opt for misting with a spray bottle. He hadn't had a bath since he's been here.
I can tell he is getting more trusting because after being "manhandled" he still allowed me to pick him up and take him back to his cage.

[Hezz]

Apr 19, 2015 11:15:32 GMT Marianne Marlow said:

Hezz you make it look so easy!

Practice, M, it is all just practice.