Oct 26, 2021 0:23:59 GMT
ukey
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 49
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Post by ukey on Oct 26, 2021 1:04:07 GMT
Hi everyone, my wife and I bought a little budgie last week, the first since owning one way, way back, probably somewhere in the seventies. We remember him as being tame and having the run of the house! However, we cannot remember how long it took to tame him. Our new family member was purchased at a pet store, where we were assured that it was a young bird, and because of that, they couldn't tell its sex. Fair enough. Our main concern was that it was a baby. Now, since day one, the little bird has shown no sign of accepting us. We realize that it was a traumatic experience for the little guy, to have been put in a box and transported to his new abode. We left him for a few days to get used to his surroundings, then followed the advice given on many UTube videos, by slowly introducing ourselves to him. Although he seems to have settled down in his cage, he is still terrified when I put my hand inside. It's been a week now, is it still too early to expect him to accept and trust us? Bob
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Post by jellybean on Oct 26, 2021 7:40:18 GMT
Hi ukey, welcome to the forum. If you post a picture of your little bird we will try and help with age/gender. Also a picture of your cage and set up. Try covering three sides of the cage, leaving the front open, this may help him settle a bit quicker and make him feel more secure.
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Oct 26, 2021 0:23:59 GMT
ukey
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 49
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Post by ukey on Oct 26, 2021 14:48:06 GMT
Thanks for your reply and advice. I'll try to take some pics today and post them.
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Post by ladybird on Oct 26, 2021 15:01:24 GMT
Hello Ukey and welcome to you and your budgie to the forum. I know you will get lots of good advise here. When I first got my budgie Charlie, I didn’t try putting my hand in his cage for a few days until he got used to me. I sat by his cage for a couple of days and just talked gently to him….in fact I read the paper to him lol . Don’t look your pal in the eye as they see you as a threat at first. I only started to introduce my hand near the cage when he had got used to me, and then it has to be very slowly, sitting by the cage with your hand resting on the door entrance at first while gently talking………It’s all down to lots of patience at first, don’t rush and you will be great friends……Looking forward to seeing your pictures 👍🏻
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Oct 26, 2021 0:23:59 GMT
ukey
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 49
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Post by ukey on Oct 26, 2021 21:21:04 GMT
Here is a photo of my budgie's head. His cage
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Post by ffiscool on Oct 26, 2021 21:39:36 GMT
V cute. I think that’s a girl
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Post by Hezz on Oct 26, 2021 23:05:28 GMT
You have a hen, and she is not a baby, I’m afraid. Looks like she is starting into her first breeding season which is why her cere is tan.
It means you may have to work a bit harder and be a bit more patient with her in her acceptance of you. Patience is your best friend so take everything slowly and expect what you will see as unexplained setbacks, which most likely will have nothing to do with anything you may have done wrong.
You should look at getting her a much wider cage so that she really has room to move around, a swing or two (two of everything is always better as these toys do break or get chewed), more proper tree branch perches and a heap more toys. Ditch the dowel perches that come with all cages, and start introducing her to leafy greens. Seeding grasses are best if you can get them.
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Oct 26, 2021 0:23:59 GMT
ukey
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 49
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Post by ukey on Oct 27, 2021 0:41:14 GMT
Thanks so much for the clarification. We don't mind the little bird being a girl, but very disappointed that she's not a young bird, as we were assured she was at the store! Nonetheless we still love her and will be patient with her accepting us. Bob
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Oct 26, 2021 0:23:59 GMT
ukey
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 49
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Post by ukey on Oct 27, 2021 0:46:07 GMT
We will also be buying a larger cage!
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Post by ladybird on Oct 27, 2021 8:10:46 GMT
Ukey your little girl is gorgeous, does she have a name ? I am glad you are going to get her a bigger cage and better perches etc. I am sure with your love and patience she will settle down and begin to trust you, as Hezz says it will just take longer than buying a young budgie. Keep her pictures coming, we love looking at them on here.
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Oct 26, 2021 0:23:59 GMT
ukey
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 49
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Post by ukey on Oct 28, 2021 0:13:28 GMT
Thanks ladybird for your comments, we also think she's gorgeous, such brilliant colors! Regarding the purchase of a larger cage, I have spent a long time on the internet looking for a suitable one, but all I'm getting is confused! The ones I see are either too large, or too small, so I decided to ask the experts here, what make and size do you recommend?
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Post by Hezz on Oct 28, 2021 1:05:19 GMT
Get the biggest cage you have the space and finances for. A cage can’t be too big. If you live in the UK there is a cage that is called the Hamberley that quite a few members swear by. If this is too big, I’m hoping some o the other members may direct you to something suitable. Width is more important than height, and something on a trolley is very handy as there will be times when you need to move the cage.
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Oct 26, 2021 0:23:59 GMT
ukey
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 49
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Post by ukey on Oct 28, 2021 2:55:58 GMT
I've seen quite a few that were on a trolley, but, unfortunately, our little house doesn't have space for those. I think Chewy had one that is 30" wide, that I could buy, but it sure would take up a lot of space in our aforementioned little house! BTW, we named our little friend Lucky !
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Post by ladybird on Oct 28, 2021 8:19:41 GMT
Have a look at the Vision cages, a few of us on here have them….always remembering length is the most important factor. Just get the biggest cage that will fit in your space for Lucky. I have a friend who was sold an older female at a pet shop and with lots of patience she turned out to be a wonderful budgie. She got her hand tamed and talking and they had many happy years together.
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Post by ffiscool on Oct 28, 2021 9:44:16 GMT
I bought the IMAC Irene, which is a good size.. fairly heavy but has plenty of room
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