This one is going to be "fun"

[vacanteyes]

Hello It's been a while since I last posted on here. I think the last time was announcing the pending arrival of a rescue budgie to be a friend for my boy. Unfortunately, the lovely lady took ill a couple of days before I as meant to collect her, and the girl who was rehoming her found her on the floor of the aviary the day I was meant to meet her I was devastated. I've not wanted to get a budgie from a pet shop, and was hunting for a rescue, but haven't managed to find one. Lately though, my current budgie has been very needy with me, and I've felt more and more awful leaving him on his own when I go out.

The girl who was giving me the other bird who sadly died, often breeds to add more to her aviary, and recently she asked if I would be interested in a baby instead. I know how well she looks after her birds and I think this is about as comfortable as I'll get with sourcing one, so I said yes. I went to collect her last week and... she absolutely loathes me!

She's given me a couple of very painful little nips (cage transfers), and the past week I've left her alone a lot as she's just so stressed out. Fortunately I'm able to quarantine her in a completely separate house from my bird, so I'm able to make sure neither of them have anything to pass on etc. This week I'm going to be sitting with her a lot and trying to get her to calm down. No interest in millet when I'm around, and any hands in the cage makes her completely freak out, so this is going to take a while I think. 

Not sure if a bird can scowl, but if they can, she's been scowling at me all week lol. 
Here's the pretty girl:


Excuse the awful perch, emergency purchase from pets at home as none of mine fit in the cage that came with her, they've been replaced now  

[birdguhl]

She is very pretty, but I can discern a certain steeliness in that look. From what I've learned on here hens are a whole different story... But I'm sure you have the wherewithal to get this little one to love you.

[skysmum]

What a shame, she is so young too. The hens are hard work im sorry to say. My sky was a nightmare from the start and never would let me touch her, i have one of her daughters left, Freddy, and she is exactly the same yet her other daughter Fern was an absolute sweetheart. Its the luck of draw but your baby is so young if you work with her consistently with lots of repetition, she may come good. Good luck with her, she is beautiful.

[vacanteyes]

Yep, I've read the same about the girls It is a shame, BUT the main reason for getting her was for company for Bluey, I'm hoping she'll see me as less of a threat after watching another bird interact with me though, could go either way though. Hopefully I can get somewhere with her, I would like her to be calm during cage maintenance and anything past that is a bonus. I just hope Bluey likes her!

[Hezz]

I am sure your ingenuity and tenacity will win her over in due course. Have you given her a name yet? Keep yourself calm and controlled while you are with her, try not to react to the bites, and spend as much time as you can with her. My Smudge was a shocker from the beginning as well; it took us 12 months to get to a place I was happy with. I will be feeling your pain every step of the way.

[stace]

She does look fierce!

[starrymist]

She does seem to be giving you 'The Look'! Good luck with her!

[samwiseg]

Hey not all hens are bad y'know guys! Ok, their nips are a bit "sharper" but I had one and she was easy as pie to train! Don't be put off vacanteyes keeping her quarantined will mean you can work with her and she may even come to be the most endearing bird you've known

Good luck and keep us updated!

[vacanteyes]

Some progress, I can change the food and water now and hold my hand on the perch next to her without her flapping all over the place. I'm still getting lots of lovely stares but she was absolutely petrified the first day, so this is something at least I'm going to stick at it, the worst that can happen is she makes no progress, right?

[stace]

Just take it slow and gentle, and I'm sure you'll come to some sort of mutual agreement in no time.

[Hezz]

The worst that can happen is she becomes more terrified of you, but I have faith that you will not allow this to happen. And already progress ..... she may not be so tough after all. You instinctively know what you are doing.

I also must agree with Sam that not all hens are a bitch ...... my other hen, Misty is the most placid of creatures.