Aug 18, 2019 20:58:57 GMT
toot
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 3
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Post by toot on Sept 25, 2019 19:39:18 GMT
Hi, I'm really hoping for some advice, please on what to do. My children really wanted to get a budgie but my husband was reluctant. He did give approval but once we got him we found out that my husband panics when Charlie is flying around. He didn't realise he would react like this, himself. Charlie hates his cage and seems to crave contact with us. The only place suitable for him to be out is in our kitchen /living area, which stops my husband from using it. And it's getting really hard to get Charlie back into his cage. <br>The children are I are besotted with him, and the children don't want to re-home him.<br>Can anyone come up with a solution / advice? Do I buy a huge cage and perhaps let him out a little less? A new friend? Both? <br><br>
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Post by Shirls on Sept 26, 2019 7:42:18 GMT
Hello and welcome to this lovely forum toot. That's a difficult question! Has your OH got a phobia about all birds? Anyway, what I would do, (as you have already suggested) is to get a larger cage - longer rather than higher, get another budgie as company for the first little one. Then have a special time of day when you can let them out - perhaps you can choose a time when OH is out, or let them out in another room, (or even banish the OH to the bedroom!!) No, that last suggestion was a joke!! See what other members come up with. I feel sure, in time, your OH will get used to budgies. I had a phobia of chickens til I was about 50 yrs old, now I keep 6 of them!!
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Sept 26, 2019 8:37:22 GMT
As Shirls asked, does your husband have a bird phobia?
Maybe he can try and build up spending time with Charlie. It would be a shame if Charlie had to have more time in his cage.
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Post by samwiseg on Sept 26, 2019 9:01:33 GMT
As others have said he may have a phobia, but if he wants to work to help his phobia perhaps try exposure therapy? He might like to try to have a few moments when your budgie is in its cage and just sit there talking to him through the bars not letting him out. Then hopefully in time the bird will get used to him as well and your husband may grow to enjoy having a chat with him? Then take further slow steps forward
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Apr 5, 2019 23:14:31 GMT
reenie
Normal Green
Posts: 300
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Post by reenie on Sept 27, 2019 6:46:45 GMT
Bird wings flapping is something that many people can't tolerate. I still flinch a bit when mine flies close to my face. If it's a phobia, your hubby will need support if he wants to conquer it, but if it's just an intense dislike, spending time interacting and being around Charlie IN his cage will help. As he develops an affection for the bird, the flapping will become more tolerable. If your hubby decides that he would rather just not be involved, could you keep Charlie in another room where you and the children spend time with him, but hubby doesn't go in when he's out of the cage? Getting another bird is a good idea, but Charlie is less likely to become more tame, which means he'd be more 'flappy'. I've had mine for 6 months, and he is very tame now, and only really flies to get to where he wants to be (or to let me know he's not getting enough attention)
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Post by OP on Sept 27, 2019 7:45:26 GMT
\oh, that is easy to cure. Get another one. (Hubby that is)
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Post by OP on Sept 27, 2019 7:55:12 GMT
A more sensible approach would be to get your budgie to sit on your husbands finger. Get your husband used to having a budgie around. Gradually progress to having your budgie fly to your husband.
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Post by ffiscool on Sept 27, 2019 23:32:02 GMT
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Post by OP on Sept 28, 2019 10:52:22 GMT
Thank you for asking ffiscool. Apart from having acute anaemia needing a blood transfusion, sticking hypodermic in myself every week, COPD and not forgetting AMD I am fine. If I could see enough I could start a whole thread on it.
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Post by ffiscool on Sept 28, 2019 10:55:03 GMT
😒 I know it might not be the same cause, but some foods are better at absorbing iron than others. Happy to look it up if it might help.
I’m sorry you’re going through it all. But glad we get to hear from you too.
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Aug 18, 2019 20:58:57 GMT
toot
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 3
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Post by toot on Oct 2, 2019 20:19:41 GMT
Thank you everyone for your replies. Somehow I couldn't see your replies until now, sorry about my internet incompetence! 😂 I was wondering why no one replied! So, after much angst, I bought a bigger cage. Charlie was immediately happier! Unfortunately, I have bought a tall one and he sits at the top. This tiny bird in a humongous cage! My husband actually seems to like him, he'll go over and talk to him and watch him in his budgie antics (so adorable!) but it's the flapping wings, and potential for being landed on that gets to him. And as he explained, birds don't just go to land on you in daily life so how could he have known? We let him out (Charlie!) when the OH isn't around. Charlie is hand tame, or rather head tame as that's his favorite position. We are thinking to get another, to reduce the neediness factor. After I had planted that idea, my husband made the suggestion. My worry is that Charlie won't want to know us once he has a friend, but I think he’d be happier. How do you guys get on getting more than one back into their cage? I guess I'd better look through the threads regarding which sex to buy, but I note the original breeder still has birds to sell, so if it comes from the same source, is there still a need to quarantine the new bird? We've had Charlie 7 weeks, so he's about 15/16 weeks old now. Does anyone know the answer to this, please? Thank you for all your kind help. Xx
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Post by samwiseg on Oct 3, 2019 10:10:15 GMT
Quarantining your new bird is always advisable for this reason: When birds move into a new home they can be a tad nervous because everything is new. This brings down their immunity and therefore can bring out conditions that you never thought were there, even if the bird is sourced from the same breeder. And if any illness is then passed to your existing bird you will end up having 2 sick birds rather than one. Plus you can treat a newbie bird easier being on its own by keeping it warm and on medication should he/she need it. Please dont get me wrong, this is the worst case scenario and if you put things in place so that it is not too traumatised all should be well. Quarantine period is 4 weeks as a rule. Totally understand you wanting to get another as breeders usually will advise that you go for multiples so that they can keep each other company and the flock mentality is there. Personally, I would recommend getting another male bird as they can be less bossy. Plus it will be easier when it comes to introductions as hen birds can get possessive over their homes. I hope that helps answer your questions? Only other thing to say is to say welcome to the forum!
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Aug 18, 2019 20:58:57 GMT
toot
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 3
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Post by toot on Oct 3, 2019 19:32:48 GMT
Thank you, Samwiseg! I really appreciate your explanation about quarantine, it's always good to know the rationale for why you're doing something. Thanks also for recommending the gender, I was leaning towards getting a male, as we don't want a flock! Oooh, I can't wait to get number two now! 😍
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Post by Hezz on Oct 4, 2019 0:52:33 GMT
This may be of help to you, re quarantine: budgerigarsforum.proboards.com/thread/6793/important-quarantineI t sounds like you have reached the best compromise for everyone, and as long as everyone remembers to be considerate to the others' needs it should work a treat. Getting two birds back into a cage is not really any different to getting one bird back in, twice. Some budgies will be good at it, others can be right little pains. If you end up with this scenario, I find it best to put the easier, more cooperative bird in first and then follow with the "nuisance". "Good Bird" will usually be happy to sit and settle in the cage while you ferry "Nuisance" back to the cage - having one already in usually means that the other is more compliant than would otherwise be. Using a spare perch is often more helpful than trying to ferry Nuisance on your hand. As a new budgie owner, I would suggest you stick to another male for now. They are generally more amenable and predictable than the girls, bless them.
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