Trying to tame Alfie

[Angelgirl]

As some of you may recall, I have two budgies. Billy who is tame and Alfie who is not. At the moment they are living in separate cages as I don't want to lose the bond I have with Billy but I would rather they were both hand tame and living together. There is also a slight issue with Alfie being a bit upset when Billy intrudes in his cage but I think that could be resolved by a refit to his cage and some patience.

I want to try again with hand taming Alfie and was considering trying the following; changing his cage for Billy's first and slightly smaller Hagan, putting his cage next to me and starting right from the beginning by putting my hand in and just sitting with it there for increasing amounts of time. Does anyone have any advice as to whether this is a good idea or whether I am just going to upset him by taking him away from his routine and the cage he knows?

Any advice or suggestions gratefully received.

Ax

[OP]

Can you not do the hand in cage with the cage Alfie is in. I'm thinking that if you take him out of his cage and give it to Billy then Alfie may resent that. Just my way of thinking.

[Angelgirl]

Sorry for the bonkers title of this thread - autocorrect on an iPhone that I'm not used to! Anyone know how to edit it?!

Billy wouldn't be in Alfie's cage, Billy has another one as I didn't like the Hagan. My plan would be to revamp Alfie's cage with new perches and toys and reintroduce them both together.

[OP]

You can edit the title of your original post. Just bring the post up to read, you can edit it as per normal with the Edit button at the bottom right of the post.

[Hezz]

With everything that you do with Alfie, basically what you need to be working on is overcoming his fear of you, and earning his trust. Not always easy, as you are aware, but what you need to do is not give up. Every day make time to spend with him, near him, talking to him, teaching him to step up, or simply getting him used to you, your hand, and have that hand come bearing gifts. Gifts of millet are generally very well received - you probably know that. Also, be doing these things away from Billy, otherwise you will not have Alfie's attention. Preferably be out of earshot, but I know that is a hard ask with budgies.

For myself, I have always found that the quieter, tamer bird has helped the other, more wary, one realise that humans can be good things. I understand that you might not be willing to risk your bond with Billy, but in truth, I think it is a risk worth taking. Something that might help there, if you don't already do so, when spending time with Billy, do so close to Alfie's cage, so he can see that Billy is comfortable around you, and no harm comes to him at these times.

[suesbird]

I found when I put Pippin in with Jo he was a lot easier to tame, she taught him trust and gave him confidence. What took Jo 12 months to do, he took 3 months. Pippin loves to talk to our thumbs whereas Jo never has until this last couple of weeks, she has seen him do it and now has to have a go as well.

Pros and Cons thought, she also has taught him the naughty things as well! .

Pippin is so tame now, not quite up to being stroked on the chest but getting there.

[Angelgirl]

So, cage now rearranged and the boys are in together. The good news is they haven't killed each other yet. The one thing that is worrying me is that they aren't eating from their seed pots. They've stripped the food stick I've put in but not even gone down to their seed. It's in the same place as its always been; it's an Imac cage so I can't move it. My partner suggested maybe they don't want to risk being below each other so I've put a plastic cup of seed in a bit higher and they went for it straight away.

Any idea what might be wrong?

Alfie is a little less jumpy and Billy is putting him in his place which is good in a way. I had Billly out last night but he was so disorientated that he flew round the room several times and was promptly sick.

Can't decide if I've done a good thing or whether ive made a mistake.

Xx

[Hezz]

Get some seed pots that hook onto the bars of the cage and place these up close to the higher perches. They may be scared of going down low, but in time they should get over this. I don't the type of cage, sorry, so can't comment there.

Can't decide if I've done a good thing or whether ive made a mistake
Why do you feel you might have made a mistake? Because of them not eating, Billy's radical flying spree, or the fact he was sick after? All of these will sort themselves out with a little time - the boys have to get used to each other, Billy being sick might have been a reaction to a panic attack. As long as they seem to be getting on together, just let them settle down and sort themselves out.