Oct 26, 2016 16:05:14 GMT
madmurph
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 1 
|
Post by madmurph on Oct 26, 2016 16:31:58 GMT
About a year ago I found a male budgie outside in the winter. I took him in and he has made a lovely addition to my family. He has lots of room, treats, let him fly around occasionally and give him things to keep him busy, however we don't have experience taming budgies and never had enough time invested to hand tame him. I really want to be able to hand feed him and take him out of his cage more often so he can hang out with us. I keep his cage by me during the day and talk to him often. I'm able to clean his cage without him being to skiddish but he keeps his distance. I'm able to get very close to him when I have millet but he doesn't eat it. I just wanted to see if I'm on the right track and if there's anything else I can do. I'm willing to do whatever and take as much time to get him to be tamed. I want to rescue another budgie so he can have a friend but I would love to have him hand tamed first. Thanks!
|
|
|
|
Post by OP on Oct 26, 2016 18:07:50 GMT
You seem to have the two main ingredients that is Time and Patience. As he is an older budgie he will probably not bond with you, but he sure should begin to trust you. One thing you can try and that is put your hand in the cage with some millet between your fingers just out of reach so that if he wants it he will have to step on your hand. Now I suggest getting a small folded cloth for you to rest your wrist on. Sit down at the cage and do nothing but hold your hand in the cage, rest your wrist on the cloth at the entrance to the cage. Sit and wait. Don't look straight at him. If you want to look at him then wink and blink your eyes. That way you will let him know you are not a predator. Be prepared to do this on a number of occasions. When he does eventually step on your hand just let himm eat teh millet. Oh and good luck.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on Oct 27, 2016 0:39:47 GMT
Yes, you are on the right track, and you probably have made headway even if it doesn't always feel that way. Follow OP's advice, don't be in any hurry, talk to him all the time. Regarding the millet, it is possible that he is trying to get up the courage to have a nibble, but firstly has to get over the fear of getting so close to your hand. Something that does work, if you feel he is never going to go for the millet without some incentive, is to tie the piece of millet onto the end of a spare perch and hold the perch out to him. If he eats the millet, well and good, and gradually you can move your hand further and further up the perch (stopping when he isn't so comfortable and allow him to work this through at his pace) so that he is basically eating out of your hand eventually, anyway.
|
|
