Traumatised Baby budgie

[fubar5]

Hi everyone, I have had birds before but mainly cockatiels. I have an aviary of 6 budgies but on Saturday I took ownership of a 6 week old budgie with the view of hand taming him and keeping him as an indoor pet ... mainly for my little nephew.

This little guy came out of his nest (1 of 5 babies) on Monday then went through the Brisbane storm that left his wing feathers damaged (thankfully not the wing itself) and he then found himself rejected by the family. As there was no alternative accommodation for him at his (inexperienced) breeders place, I took him on. He is rather traumatised by the last week so when I collected him on Saturday, I have basically put him in a smaller cage and apart from talking to him I have tried to give him some time to settle. He ate for the first time (that I saw) last night.  His poo is normal and he is preening himself.  He has fallen off the perch a few times and has some difficulty climbing back up on the perch so I have made sure he has food and water at perch height and lower to the ground.

How long should I give him to settle before I start to handle him? Is there anything else I should be doing for him?


He currently has access to seed, egg/biscuit mix, cuttlefish as well as water.  Greens are scary and he freaked out so I removed them.

[Moogie]

hello and welcome
poor little baby sounds like he has gone through an awful week but thank goodness for you taking the little chap on
I really cant help with your questions but just wanted to say that others will be along soon to help you out,sunday is normally a quite day on the forum so please dont think people hear aer ignoring your post as they are not like that on here just hold tight and they should be along soon to help you

[Gaile]

at 6weeks he should be weaned, when you talk to him wink and blink this is you saying that you will not hurt him It will take time.

[Hezz]

It is a shame he can't be with his own kind at this stage; I can imagine that his experiences have left him quite skittish. At six weeks he should be flying (just) as well, but if he is having trouble perching move the perch down until it is just off the floor of the cage. As Gaile mentions, wink and blink all the time you talk to him, look at him with only one eye - only predators have both eyes facing forward as we do - and don't stare at him; again this is what predators do when sizing up their next meal.

If you have a park close by or if your own back yard has some grass seed-heads growing, anywhere away from roadsides, and not areas where pesticides are used, pick some fresh grass for him, bundle it up in a rubber band and peg to the side of his cage. This is their native, natural food and often will be their first foray into eating greens as well. Almost any sort of seed head is appreciated; I have only found about two or three that my budgies are not interested in.

Start to bring your hand into the cage and see what his reaction is. A piece of millet as bribery is usually well received once they know the hand is not there to eat them.