Taming Billie

[Angelgirl]

I just wanted to share that taming Billie is going better than I ever expected. I've just had her out, she's flown around the room, stepped up when I've asked her to, sat on my shoulder for some millet and gone back first time into her cage. It's more than I ever dreamed of after my experience with Alfie. She's even accepted kisses on her beak whilst on my shoulder.

Two questions flow from this though...

Firstly, I am going away for two weeks next week and she will be alone for the majority of the time (with Alfie in the cage across the room and a friend popping in most days). Will she forget me? Will I have to start again with the taming when I get back or do you think we've bonded?

Secondly, I'm thinking of starting again with Alfie when I return but he is a seriously scared bird - it takes him ages to investigate something new in his cage and although he likes millet he's never been mad about it. Is there something else budgies like that I could try?

Knowing that Billie is tame gives me confidence and I would love Alfie to be able to spend time with me outside his cage. It was never my intention that he remain in his cage full time and it breaks my heart that he has to - I don't think he would come out even if I left the door wide open. And if he did come out I don't know how I would get him back without traumatising him.

Sorry for rambling

AX

[stace]

She won't forget you, but sometimes you need to go back over training and bonding anyway. It's an ongoing thing.

You might find that Alfie will start to follow Billie's lead. Once Billie is comfortable with you, Alfie will see you are okay and will likely warm up a bit. He'll learn from Billie and the trust should build.

[Hezz]

Two weeks is a long time as this stage of your bonding, especially if there isn't someone else for her to have much interaction with. Be prepared to have to go right back to the basics for a few days. No one can be sure how she is going to react; budgies are all individual little creatures and what one has done is no surety that another will do the same. Just don't be too surprised if things aren't the same when you return.