It's been too long since I've had to do this....

[Novabel]

I had my hen for 9 years and I was in middle school when I got her. I have no idea how I tamed her but she used to sit on my shoulder and come in the shower with me. But of course I can't remember my methods so I'm in need of a little help.

I have two little boys this time (I was only going to get one but these guys were already bonded) and they're lovely. Deku (the green one) is calm and loves to chitter at himself and pick at everything while talking to it. And Poe.... He's a spazz. Deku never chirps loudly but Poe will SCREAM. Deku alone doesn't mind my hand in the cage but Poe goes so insane that he work Deku up and then they're both freaking out.

I know it takes time (and millet) but they're terrified of the millet and I've had them for a month and they still don't seem to use to me. Poe still shivers like a mad bird when I approach the cage.

I'm looking for different measures to take. Do I separate them and try to train them one on one? Do I clip their wings? Do I try letting them out of the cage to build up their confidence?

I know I could have Deku trained no problem, it's just Poe who seems to take them back five steps 

[OP]

Pleas don't clip any wings. It's not necessary. As for taming, some will, some won't. Just keep doing whatever you are doing. Poe may get the idea that you are not a predator.

[Novabel]

May 31, 2017 15:04:59 GMT OP said:

Pleas don't clip any wings. It's not necessary. As for taming, some will, some won't. Just keep doing whatever you are doing. Poe may get the idea that you are not a predator.

I'm really against clipping wings but it's always been offered to me so I wasn't sure. And I'm hoping Poe is just dramatic and will come around eventually!

[Hezz]

The fact that you now have two and not one is going to make things a lot harder. You are probably not going to have the same relationship with these two as you did with your single bird. As for clipping wings, I have never been able to understand the thinking behind that. In my opinion it only makes them more frightened, having had their only means of self-preservation taken away from them.

If they don't know what millet is (yet), hang a small piece of a spray up in their cage and allow them to discover it for themselves. Once they are eating it, and enjoying it, then remove it and use as a training tool. Or you can throw a small piece into their seed pot with the rest of their seed. Someone will get curious and try it out, eventually. As you have one budgie who is receptive to you, work on him first. Once he is feeling more confident and the other sees that he is starting to trust you, he will be more inclined to follow along. You are going to need a lot of time and patience, though. Of course the more time you spend with them, the better.

[Novabel]

Jun 1, 2017 1:23:37 GMT Hezz said:

The fact that you now have two and not one is going to make things a lot harder. You are probably not going to have the same relationship with these two as you did with your single bird. As for clipping wings, I have never been able to understand the thinking behind that. In my opinion it only makes them more frightened, having had their only means of self-preservation taken away from them.

If they don't know what millet is (yet), hang a small piece of a spray up in their cage and allow them to discover it for themselves. Once they are eating it, and enjoying it, then remove it and use as a training tool. Or you can throw a small piece into their seed pot with the rest of their seed. Someone will get curious and try it out, eventually. As you have one budgie who is receptive to you, work on him first. Once he is feeling more confident and the other sees that he is starting to trust you, he will be more inclined to follow along. You are going to need a lot of time and patience, though. Of course the more time you spend with them, the better.

Thank you for the advice! We've been spending tons of time together and they don't seem as frightened now. I've been letting them out to play on a play perch and they really love it so we're getting there!