Kiwi doesn't want to come out...

[DreamerHorse]

So I've been working with Kiwi a lot. He'll step up, and will for the most part stay on. Unless I try and take him out, which he promptly flies further in the cage to prevent being taken out. I've tried taking the top off. No good. Neither through the door. The spot the cage is in does not really allow him to come out on his own, there is maybe an inch and a half of space between the edge of my dresser and the bottom of the cage.

Not to mention he is content to sit on his day perch all day long and not make a move toward the front of the cage except to eat. I could move the cage to my bed for this but it might tip over. There's really no other spot for the cage in my room. I haven't tried moving him to the living room for this, but whats the point if he refuses to come out?

Can anyone please help?

[Hezz]

He sees the confined space as a trap; that is the problem. Is the door on the cage a small one, or decent size? But really I think it is the small space that you need to bring him through that is the reason he doesn't want to come out. If you can get him used to being handled by you and catch him up to be brought through the small space, you might have better luck, but then he isn't going to want to get through that space again to go back home. I don't know what your solution is, if the cage can't be moved. Can it be moved just for when you want him out and about?

[DreamerHorse]

Hi Hezz. The door on the cage kinda goes two ways. There's a small part that goes up and down and then that is attached to the rest of the door which swings out to the side. I open the large part of the door to try and and get him out. I have not tried the small door.

If it requires it, I can try to maybe find a spot in the living room. In fact there is a spot by the computer that I could use. But the cage is pretty big to haul around (it has a handle though). But I feel a change of surroundings / schedule might be a little stressful.

[Hezz]

Some people seem to think this; I have not had a problem with moving my birds around - I never gave it a thought in the beginning so wasn't looking for problems. I think half the things we worry about, we make up in our own mind, rather than the budgies being at all bothered. If you are concerned, move him into the living room and leave him inside for a day or two, so he gets used to the space he can see. In my opinion he would be better there anyway; more activity, more company, more one of the family.

[DreamerHorse]

You're right, as always Hezz. I guess part of the issue is that I'm a creature of habit. I made a schedule where I get up, tend to Kiwi, get ready for the day, then go out into the living room to get on the computer. My mom is fine with the location, so its all me having the issues. Tomorrow I'll move him. He's sleeping right now (9:12 PM). I've also been told to put his food outside the cage when he goes to eat, so I'll try that. Just gotta get him over that silly fear of being outside the cage.

[Hezz]

Hmm, leaving his food outside the cage isn't really a good idea, in my opinion ...... mine, you understand. You could find that you have all sorts of problems then, getting him back in. If they know their food is inside they go back when they get hungry and can be predictable. You can use millet, because what you are doing is training him, so if he learns that coming out of the cage can bring treats, he might be very agreeable.

[DreamerHorse]

It was what was suggest to me, lol. Alright, food stays in. Millet might work, but he likes sitting on what I call his day perch. Its the perch he likes sitting on all darn day. I can get him to step up and then go on another perch. Problem is, millet doesn't seem like its a great motivation, since he likes his day perch that's toward the back of the cage. Course I could always take those perches out and leave the one perch by the door. Maybe he might be tempted for millet then, since it would be closer.

[Hezz]

I understand, you are getting advice from others as well, and that it all good. It is just it can cause other problems, the opposite of what you are experiencing now, particularly as he doesn't like going through that doorway.

[OP]

Jun 14, 2015 2:31:59 GMT DreamerHorse said:

It was what was suggest to me, lol. Alright, food stays in. Millet might work, but he likes sitting on what I call his day perch. Its the perch he likes sitting on all darn day. I can get him to step up and then go on another perch. Problem is, millet doesn't seem like its a great motivation, since he likes his day perch that's toward the back of the cage. Course I could always take those perches out and leave the one perch by the door. Maybe he might be tempted for millet then, since it would be closer.

That is where he feels safe I believe. He is not quite ready, as I wrote in your other thread, the blog. Joey, my very first budgie would not come out of the cage either. Starting with a short perch I got him to step up on that. You have one better and that is your finger. The way forward from there is to get Kiwi on your finger, move slowly toward the door. Then pause with him on your finger. After a few seconds in one steady, but swift movement, bring him through the door and stop. Talking all the while. Just stay in one place for a while and talk to him if he is still on your finger. You may find he has taken off somewhere, hopefully the top of the cage. Even budgies have to fledge. Time and patience will get you there.

[sweetpea]

I echo what OP has said - sometimes a bird just takes his/her time in leaving the cage.

When I had Thomas it took him many weeks (at least 6 weeks) to leave the cage. He would sit on the open door eating tasty treats but then go back in. The others would go in & visit him. He knew darn well where that open door was & how to get through it - he just didn't want to actually come out. Anyway, one day he did (fortunately the others were locked in) & interestingly his first exploration was very measured & well thought out, almost like he'd spent his time inside planning it all.