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Post by starrymist on Nov 8, 2021 15:05:36 GMT
Here is Sam. He arrived last Wednesday. He was sold as a ”12 week old” budgie & my mum (who picked him) thought he didn’t have any stripes because of his mutation; however I think he is an adult as he has an iris & blue cere. What do you think? He’s a bit of a conundrum - he isn’t at all scared of hands & I've had 1 foot & sometimes both feet sat on my hand & he is winking at me lots. However he is very still, not really moving & quiet, but taking everything in. I have a seed pot on the ground in case he hasn’t seen the type that is on his cage & on his 1st full day here he went down & ate there himself. But since then he just isn’t eating unless it is held up to him & even then, it can take a lot of coaxing. I don’t want to get into the habit of him only eating this way but I’m scared he isn’t eating enough & will waste away & so I don’t want to do the “he’ll go down there if he’s hungry enough” thing as on Saturday he hadn’t really eaten at all till the evening. I’m also worried that as (I think) he’s an older bird, he won’t adapt/ cope with being a single bird. I know it’s early days but I thought he’d be more settled by this point, at least eating. Any reassurance or advice is very welcome!
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Post by ffiscool on Nov 8, 2021 15:54:16 GMT
Aw, he’s lovely. Was he from a breeder? He’s not a baby from what I can see, stripes wise.
Max had only ever eaten from the bottom of a cage when I got him. I had to hold a pot for him to eat from. But I ended up putting two seed pots in, so he’d find one easily. The other thing, he was used to Haiths, but I had Johnson & Jeff. So maybe Sam had different seed?
I’m sure Sam will be ok, the winking is great.
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Nov 8, 2021 16:11:32 GMT
Sam is very pretty. I think he looks older but I've been mistaken with budgies with mutations like Sam's. I think he will settle in with you in a few days. Hope you have a lot of fun with him.
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Post by ariella on Nov 8, 2021 16:27:01 GMT
Sam is just gorgeous! I agree that he doesn’t look 12 weeks old with the barring as it is. It’s great that he isn’t scared of your hand and I’m sure he’ll be settled and enjoying some training soon and be a wonderful companion. He’s taking everything in and working you out I expect. In the meantime, have you tried hanging up bobbles of millet to see if he is unable to resist? I think I’d have a variety of veggies and treats as well as seed to see if he starts to investigate the food and his cage a little.
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Post by starrymist on Nov 8, 2021 16:44:06 GMT
He was from a pet shop as we couldn’t find any local breeders with any pet type budgies (& we asked a lot of people!). He has another, open, seed pot right by where he sits & millet but he’s ignoring them too. I did show him basil but he wasn’t interested & I thought it was maybe another thing he had to be keeping an eye on in case it ate him so I removed it. Same with a bell - he initially showed interest (& rang it once himself) but then I wondered if it was stressing him as he ignored it for several days so I took it out too. Should I put these back in? I’m finding this all so stressful & worry-y. 😢 I just want him to be happy & healthy. I think we must forget how stressful it is with a new bud…..
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Post by jellybean on Nov 8, 2021 17:52:01 GMT
Aww, another little Sam, I'm so happy for you starrymist. Welcome to your new home gorgeous boy.
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Post by ffiscool on Nov 8, 2021 18:31:50 GMT
It’s hard to know. I’d say things in his cage, leave them as they are, it doesn’t matter if initially ignored. However you can get him to eat, do that.
It is stressful having a new bud, I’m sure he’ll be fine, just takes a bit longer if they’re not babies perhaps
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Post by jellybean on Nov 8, 2021 18:53:53 GMT
Sorry starrymist, I meant to comment on the toys, I'd leave them in too, any time I add new toys, my two still look at them as if there going to get eaten 😂 The curiosity gets the better of them and they eventually go to investigate. Sam will soon settle, and he's certain to get lots of love and attention from you which will help his confidence.
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Post by Ira on Nov 8, 2021 18:54:55 GMT
He's a gorgeous boy!
I would say definitely not a baby but he might not be all that old either. Gwen has iris rings and no forehead bars and is only 7 months old. I know that's not as desireable as an 8 week old impressionable chick, but it should still be workable. Problem is, past first moult it's really hard to be specific.
He's only had 5 days though, it might take him a while to settle in.
I'd say just keep a routine, as best as you can, give him more time to settle, and just keep offering him food and encouraging him to eat. He'll get the hang of finding it himself when he feels more comfortable.
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Post by starrymist on Nov 8, 2021 21:31:50 GMT
Will write more tomorrow but he’s just had a tiny bit of seed by himself! And now has a bit of millet right in front of where he likes to sit. So, currently there’s 2 millet pieces & 3 seed pots of various shapes/ sizes! 🤣
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Post by ffiscool on Nov 8, 2021 21:41:46 GMT
That’s sounding very promising
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Post by starrymist on Nov 8, 2021 21:45:18 GMT
And my mum has just taken him downstairs on the stairlift (for bed) - I heard her telling him he was going back on the “budgie fairground experience” then praising him at the end “like he’d been going on it his whole life”. 🤣
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Post by ffiscool on Nov 8, 2021 21:56:32 GMT
Lol
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Post by ariella on Nov 8, 2021 23:22:46 GMT
Oh bless your mum, how sweet. I’m sure he’ll start getting used to his new home soon and be tucking into his food in the next day or two. It’s good he’s had some more by himself so you know he’s not starving. I hope you have a less stressful day tomorrow.
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Post by Hezz on Nov 9, 2021 0:58:19 GMT
Welcome little Sam. What a pretty boy! My new boy took almost two weeks before he nibbled on his millet, but doesn’t mind a bit having a drink in front of me, go figure. I think I’ve seen him drink more than I have Mango in all eight years!
Age-wise I would definitely put him at or over the six month mark.
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