New Toys...

[Mrs.Crew]

Hi everyone!

I'm new here and new to the whole world of budgies. My mum gave me her 2 beautiful budgies. They're about 12-18 months old.

Today I decided to treat them to some new toys and treats. They haven't been to the side of the cage where I put the toys since they've gone in, last thing I want to do is cause any unnecessary stress for them. How long would you leave the toys in before considering removing them?

I also bought them a seed bell and normally they love them but once again no interest has been shown.

All advice is appreciated

Thank you 😊

[jellybean]

Hi, welcome to the forum. I'm sure if the buds have come from your Mum's house to yours now, they will still be unsure of their new environment.  Just give them time to settle and I'm sure they will start playing with their new toys. I wouldn't give seed bells though, a nice piece of fresh veg would be better.
Have you kept budgies before? Please feel free to ask any questions. Would love to see pictures of your new little buds.

[Mrs.Crew]

Hi. Thanks for your reply. No I've not kept them before. First time for everything. I have had them about a month now. They're well settled, they eat and sleep well, they're not phased by my kids. It's just when I put the new toys in toys they where really unsettled.

Also veg? What kind of veg would be best suited for them! Sorry about this I am a complete novice!

[jellybean]

Please don't apologise, we have all been beginners, we are here to help and will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Usually anything new presented to a budgie makes them run for the hills 😂 but eventually curiosity wins and they come to investigate, just give them time.
As for fresh food, I'm on my mobile so don't know how to send you a link, but if you go to the forum "Home" page and scroll down, you will see "Budgie feeding" on there is the link "Fresh food to offer your budgie". Hope that helps.

[Hezz]

Here it is:

budgerigarsforum.proboards.com/thread/509/fresh-foods-offer-budgie

As for toys, perches and other fun budgie related expenses, there are a number of places on line to purchase them from, but most of our members just love this one:
www.naturalbirdco.co.uk/

[weelouie]

In my experience with various species of parrot (African Grey to parrotlet) they tend to distrust new objects in their cage, whether it be a new toy or a new kind of vegetable or fruit. The length of time varies, I've seen them refuse a toy for weeks or even months, then suddenly it's their favourite thing in the world!

I just adopted/rescued my Budgie City (6 budgies) a few weeks ago. They were in a tiny, filthy cage with a couple of broken toys. I put them in a huge three foot tall flight cage full of various toys and perches. At first they'd only use one perch at the top of the cage, only climbing down (as a group) to eat from the food cups. None of the toys or other perches were touched, and they refused all fruit or veg. Over time, they started playing with some toys, and they learned that they can fly inside the cage. Now they whirl around from one toy or perch to another and have already destroyed one toy, a string of plastic mesh balls ending in a bell. I left the balls on the bottom of the cage to see what they'd do. It only took them two days, tonight I saw two little heads carrying the balls around the bottom of the cage. 

So don't worry if they don't take to new toys or foods right away. Just keep offering them. With fresh fruit and veg, remove it after a few hours so it doesn't go rotten. I give them pieces of romaine lettuce (NOT iceberg, it has no nutritional value), Chinese greens such as bok choy, and slices of apple clipped to the side of the cage. Once they learn to accept a new food, I try another. Today they were all squabbling over their romaine leaf.

It's also a good idea to rotate the toys around every few weeks or months. I keep quite a few extras of different sizes and swap them around to alleviate boredom. The good news is that they recognize toys once they get used to them. If you take away a toy and give it back weeks later, they remember it and won't shun it the way they did the first time they saw it. When they destroy toys, I often keep the bits and use them to make a new toy. They seem to recognize the parts and accept the rebuilt toy more quickly than a new one. 

[stevex]

Millet is your friend!

If your budgies are used to eating millet, you can use it to bribe or persuade them that anything new is not a threat. Just place a piece of millet near to a toy and their greed curiosity will get the better of them.

[weelouie]

One thing I forgot to mention - often they will play with a toy in a different way than you expected. I hung a big wooden swing from the top of the cage, but on a long stainless steel chain so it hangs near the bottom of the cage. I was trying to avoid having all the swings at the top of the cage. They ignored the swing for weeks and I thought of taking it down. Then yesterday I noticed the little scamps were climbing up and down the chain itself, swinging on it by flying around and landing on it, and chewing on it. I guess that means it will have to stay!

[Mrs.Crew]

They seem a lot happier today. They've still not played with the ropey toy thing but they're not quivering in their boots. I'll be investing in more millet on Tuesday 😊!

[OP]

If you are going to be training your buds I wouldn't be giving them too much millet. It is best if you can keep it for treats. As has already been said don't be put off if they don't play with the toys straight away. Some do most don't. If I put something new in the cage with my four you would think it was going to attack them. They warm to eventually.
I notice a full stop has magically appeared in your username. I can see that better than I can see spaces. I have a condition in my eyes and it makes it difficult to read. When I read a line of text there are spaces all along it so I quite easily miss one or two. Sorry for getting your username wrong at the beginning.

[milliej]

I leave toys in my budgies cage for weeks, longer sometimes and there are some they just don't take too, after a month or so I then remove them. I've got a draw half full of toys my budgies didn't like or wouldn't use

[Mrs.Crew]

Hi guys... thought I would give you an update on the toy situation!! We have lift off!!! Bluebell was the first one to venture over to the strange new toy that was obviously going to kill him... And started playing with the ropey bits...and today Snow White has been giving it a good go! I'm really happy!

Also had a bit of a move around in the cage and they seem quite impressed! I didn't realise how cheeky and distinct in personalities these little budgies can be!! I love it!! x

[Shirls]

I read here Mrs.Crew that you have 'rope' toy for your buddies, please be aware that tassels on the ends of some of these toys are very dangerous for budgies, they can injest them, get tangled up in them etc., etc., so if you do have tassels, please cut them right off. Hope you don't mind me saying.