Taming

[geoff]

Hi guys and gals, I bought myself a hen the other day which is about 6 months old. Unlike my previous budgies she is not hand tame. Can you tell me a technique to get her tame as she darts about the cage when I try to coax her on to my finger and I'm worried about stressing her out. thanks

Geoff

[helenmat]

Just start off putting your hand in the cage but don't move about, just rest your hand there for a while, keep doing this until your bird is not flying about, then try and put a bit of millet in your hand to see if she will eat it, save the millet just for this. When she is not scared of your hand you should be able to gently put your finger in front of her tummy and she will step on to it. Say up or step up as you do it. This will all take time but be patient, the rewards are worth it. Good luck! Let us know how it goes?

[Hezz]

Start off with what Helen has given you. Make sure you are consistent with results on the first step before moving on to the next; that is a common mistake, taking things too fast. Slower and steadier gives the best results.

[helenmat]

Jan 8, 2016 1:17:34 GMT Hezz said:

Start off with what Helen has given you. Make sure you are consistent with results on the first step before moving on to the next; that is a common mistake, taking things too fast. Slower and steadier gives the best results.

Yes when I said it will take time, we are talking weeks probably not days.

[geoff]

Thanks for your help ladies

[ninz1]

A lot of brilliant advice given.

I just want to stress the word 'patience' a lot. It took me more than 4 months to make Imzi trust me. It was hard work and I felt quite disheartened. He was my first budgie so I was so keen to have him step up, eat from my hand and be my best buddy!

The most important thing is to let your budgie come to you. Let her take the first step and just be incredibly patient. It will work wonders as the trusted bond you two will have will be very strong.

Offering millet helps and other foods, Imzi didn't take to millet so I offered spinach and it worked. Talking by her cage in a soft and happy tone. Winking, squinting and blinking slowly will help her to see that you are not preying on her. She might wink back!! Just let her see you as someone who will not hurt her and slowly she will accept you. She might step closer to the cage where you are sitting which will show you that she feels safer around you.

I always found step up difficult as Imzi did not have a clue. I used to think I was pushing him so hard that might fall off the perch. If you see that your budgie is not keen, it is ok, try again later. She will get it soon. Imzi eventually got it and just stepped up. He got a lot of praise. Now I don't need to say step up, all I do is put my hand near him and he jumps on. Can be funny when I am sorting something in his cage and he just jumps on thinking... "Hey! You're meant to take me somewhere...!"

Good luck and keep us posted!