We need HELP!

[chosteph]

Hello everyone!

Me and my SO bought a pair of budgies from a local pet store.. Which I do understand isn't the best path to take, and we probably should have gone to a breeder. We of course picked the two that were in budgie bootcamp, meaning they were not at all okay with humans, and were separated to get used to people.. Why they let us have them is a mystery. Anyways, we've had them for about 7 months, and have tried EVERYTHING to get them to love us.

Their names are Larry and Xena the warrior princess, she lives up to her name and really knows how to put him in his place! They love to sing along with music, make out, groom, eat! But for the life of us they won't stop hating us.. We feed them fresh fruit (which they throw on the ground) and some treats ( to try to lure us into their hearts).. Fresh water twice a day and all the toys a budgie could ask for... And yet, they won't trust us. We talk at them, hold our hand in the cage for periods of time without invading their space, sing, and even play music . The only time we've scared them is when they've escaped and I fear they may fly outside so we have to catch them.

Help!! I honesty love these little hunnies and we are at complete loss..

[BudgieS90]

relax, it takes a long long time to trust continue doing what you are doing, talk softly for a few minutes everyday, pt your hand in the cage, not very far at first and keep it still every two days put it in a little more, until you can get your arm and hand in, keep it very still, they may fly around in panic but keep it there, they will get used to it after that, teaching them to step up gently, coax them with millet at first just putting your hand with millet near them for some time, slowly coaxing them to take a nibble while you are holding it, then when they are used to that touch their feet very gently, they will panic likely but keep doing this, then when they get used to that, try to push the tummy and abdomen area very gently, if they dont step up, leave it, dont push them, keep doing that everyday, so they get used to the feeling and when they do get brave enough hopefully to put a foot on your finger, keep trying the said steps until they step up fully, after they step up, slowly drop the millet, slowly, while they remain on your finger, dont move at all, dont talk, they will look confused but after repeating this for a while they usually learn it, there a tons of these tutorials online, and use perches too to practice before attempting to get the to step up on your finger, dont shout if they nip, dont even react ignore it, i know it can hurt, everything slowly one at a time, they will eventually begin to trust you!

[Hezz]

The worst thing you can do with birds who are frightened to death of humans is to look at them. They think you are sizing them up for your next feed - birds, particularly the smaller ones, are prey animals, eyes at the sides of their heads to see predators sneaking up behind them. Humans have eyes at the front of their heads, in typical predator-fashion, so to a budgie you are a predator. You need to break up the stare; blinking, winking, not looking directly at them, out of the corner of your eyes, even turning your head so you cannot see them with both eyes. Don't put your head right up close to their cage and stare at them; turn your body/head away so they can observe you without you observing them.

If you have gotten nowhere with training/taming them, step back, and only offer them treats through the bars of the cage so there is a barrier between yourself and the birds. Once you get them to accept a treat in this way, you can bring your hands closer and closer as they allow. If they won't take treats from your hand while it's outside the cage, go right back to square one, just sitting quietly beside the cage - no looking! - and talk. About anything, everything, read a book, sing if that takes your fancy, but get them used to the sound of your voice. Once you have them accepting your presence around the cage without freaking out, then try feeding through the bars of the cage. Because it has been so long without any success this is going to be a long process. You must be patient, you must be persistent, and you must not give up on them. Given enough time, they will learn to trust you, but this must be earned and is not given lightly. There is no quick fix unfortunately, but I wish you all the very best in getting somewhere with these little guys.

PS The fact that they are two means they have each other and are not reliant on you for company; this does make the job that much harder, but it can be done. Good luck.

[samwiseg]

Hi and Welcome chosteph

Am so glad you have found us and can only echo what the above members have said, expert advice in aiming to get closer to your birds. Trust is a HUGE step and must be earned by a lot of patience, calm and understanding.

Am looking forward to hearing how you get on and hope you will stick around to be part of a great place to be

[milliej]

My two are not 'tame' - won't come near me but they have happy little lives and enjoy each others company. I've had them about six months now (buth they're not my first) and still they are very wary of me even though I put my hand into their cage and try to interact daily! I love to watch how they play, squabble and generally live, so if they don't become 'tame' it doesn't bother me too much (I also have a little terror terrier so they can't fly free but just the joy of having them is great for me.

[toffee]

I found that the budgies I have had actually have got more confident with me when they've been outside their cage. I've had no luck training them but then made friends after they've been free flying. I just sit in the room and let them do their thing. I think because they're not confined there's less fear of being eaten. I think two at once is harder. When I had Sparky and Smuggler together I couldn't tame them but they weren't frightened of me when they were out flying and were OK with me picking them up to put them back. Now Sparky is on his own he's proving much easier to bond with. They need to be persuaded that you are part of their flock and not the enemy.