Re-taming two budgies

[sim0ns11]

Hello, I'm a new user and I hope someboy can help me.

I have two male budgies; the first one is 4½ years old while the second one is about 2½ years old.

When I got the first one, I was determined to tame him, but I spent even 8 months just to make him get on my hand where there were some seeds, he was particularly fearful, expecially because he was already an adult (at least 1 years old) when I got him.

Then, I got the second one because I noticed that the first one felt lonely; he was just about 30 days old, and I semi-hand-tamed him, so he initially trusted me, he was loving, he couldn't wait to get out of his cage and he let me pet him. However, he, pretty naturally, started to spend much time with the other budgie and, over time, unfortunately, he became irritable and a bit lazy. Since he decided to spend less time with me, the first one, that initially made progress (getting on my finger and my shoulder, even if I wasn't near his cage), started to be scared and annoyed by me again.

Now, I really want to recuperate the relatioship I had with them, but I don't know how to do: the second one is bully, fighting off the other if I'm feeding him, he wants all the food for himself and so I can't re-tame them in the same time, and if I separate them, the first one starts to call the second one as soon as he can't see him, and I don't want to cause him pain.

So, what would you do in my place? Is there still a chance to tame them or not? Should I renounce?

Thanks in advance.



P.S. I'm sorry if I did mistakes, I'm Italian.

[starlingqueen]

I would concentrate on the dominant one, the bully. If he starts to respond to you the other one will copy him and it will be easier to tame him.

[sim0ns11]

Thank you for your reply. However, as I said, when I separate them, as soon as the first one can't see the bully (that I take to another room for taming), he starts to call him until I bring them together (he is very concerned for the bully, despite this last treats him badly) and I'm sorry I cause him pain. So should I tame the bully ignoring the pain and the calls of the first one?

[starlingqueen]

No, just tame the bully in the same cage with the other one watching.

[Hezz]

Because one is calling to the other doesn't mean you are causing him grief. It is just his way of making sure that the one out of sight is all right, and so is he. You really are going to have to use baby steps to get anywhere with these two. As Starlingqueen has said, start with the more bold. As he tames and quietens down you will be able to chastise him for being the bully and pushing the other fellow away, and with one hand each, feed both, if you get that far. You really need to use your own instincts to judge how far you can advance, using the reactions of the birds to guide you. It might take ages, or you may be surprised at how quickly they decide to start trusting you, but take it slowly, and expect drawbacks.