Post by MattJ on Nov 8, 2011 14:42:11 GMT
I thought others might be interested in my progress so far with grooming/stroking my bird 
I have just the one budgie, so there are feathers that he cant get himself and normally would rely on another budgie to do. Normally he'll try (and manage) to do it himself with a perch or toy but its a good excuse for me to bond with him as well
I think this goes for most budgies that they like their feathers stroked gently backwards against the grain. Anyone confirm/deny?
I first groomed Puck with my nose, I think he believes its my beak equivalent as he likes to bash it as well. He's pretty comfortable with this and will let me do it most of the time when sat on my finger. I'll start about half way up his tummy, and do it up to his cheek patches. I'm careful of his eyes but he does close them anyway when I get close.
The second thing he did was, while sitting on my index finger I held my thumb upwards and he started rubbing his cheeks on it. He then let me carry on doing it to him with my thumb.
Our final step is, when comfortable he'll let me rub his tummy and (mostly) cheeks while on my finger with the index finger of my other hand.
He still wont let me rub the top of his head still, his beak opens to signal to keep off and if ignore I get a bashing. Not sure if this will ever change - anyone had a budgie change this habit?
Hopefully give you an idea of where to go with stroking/grooming your little friend. Any other suggestions obviously welcome!
I have just the one budgie, so there are feathers that he cant get himself and normally would rely on another budgie to do. Normally he'll try (and manage) to do it himself with a perch or toy but its a good excuse for me to bond with him as well
I think this goes for most budgies that they like their feathers stroked gently backwards against the grain. Anyone confirm/deny?
I first groomed Puck with my nose, I think he believes its my beak equivalent as he likes to bash it as well. He's pretty comfortable with this and will let me do it most of the time when sat on my finger. I'll start about half way up his tummy, and do it up to his cheek patches. I'm careful of his eyes but he does close them anyway when I get close.
The second thing he did was, while sitting on my index finger I held my thumb upwards and he started rubbing his cheeks on it. He then let me carry on doing it to him with my thumb.
Our final step is, when comfortable he'll let me rub his tummy and (mostly) cheeks while on my finger with the index finger of my other hand.
He still wont let me rub the top of his head still, his beak opens to signal to keep off and if ignore I get a bashing. Not sure if this will ever change - anyone had a budgie change this habit?
Hopefully give you an idea of where to go with stroking/grooming your little friend. Any other suggestions obviously welcome!
