Feb 7, 2020 20:28:59 GMT
maryann
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 59
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Post by maryann on Feb 13, 2020 16:39:19 GMT
My new budgie,Harvey, has been in my home for about 10 days. He is 4 years old. His previous owner only took him out about once a month and said he was terrified every time. He was also bullied by his cage mate which is why she rehomed him.
I have been trying to get him slowly used to my hand in his cage by slowly putting it in there and leaving it there. He’s doing much better. He loves attention and chirps to me when I talk or whistle to him.
I am more than willing to give him all the time he needs. I want to bond with him. If waiting is better, that’s what I will do.
I am asking for advice as to how long before I should let him out of his cage? I will take him in a closed room, windows covered as well as mirrors. I have experience with birds just not with adopting an older one.
Please help Harvey have a good experience! Thanks!
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Post by Hezz on Feb 14, 2020 0:08:20 GMT
Let him out whenever you feel is the right time. It is definitely easier on both human and bird if the bird has the basic training down pat - stepping up and staying on a perch so that you can get him back into the cage when needed. Only let him out when you have plenty of time to get him back in, otherwise you become frustrated and he will pick up on that.
Some birds find the door opening a hard thing to conquer, especially if the doorway is on the small side. Encourage him to come to the door opening while you are training him. Some feel more comfortable with a little ladder-like landing platform, particularly if the cage is only of the thin wire type.
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Feb 7, 2020 20:28:59 GMT
maryann
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 59
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Post by maryann on Feb 14, 2020 19:15:31 GMT
Let him out whenever you feel is the right time. It is definitely easier on both human and bird if the bird has the basic training down pat - stepping up and staying on a perch so that you can get him back into the cage when needed. Only let him out when you have plenty of time to get him back in, otherwise you become frustrated and he will pick up on that. Some birds find the door opening a hard thing to conquer, especially if the doorway is on the small side. Encourage him to come to the door opening while you are training him. Some feel more comfortable with a little ladder-like landing platform, particularly if the cage is only of the thin wire type. That’s great advice! I’ll work on getting him to perch first. My cage has a very large door that I can open if I choose. So, I think you are saying that once I can get him to comfortably perch inside the cage, it’s time to try to come out. Did I get that right? It makes sense. Thanks! |
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Post by Hezz on Feb 15, 2020 0:31:59 GMT
Let him out whenever you feel is the right time. It is definitely easier on both human and bird if the bird has the basic training down pat - stepping up and staying on a perch so that you can get him back into the cage when needed. Only let him out when you have plenty of time to get him back in, otherwise you become frustrated and he will pick up on that. Some birds find the door opening a hard thing to conquer, especially if the doorway is on the small side. Encourage him to come to the door opening while you are training him. Some feel more comfortable with a little ladder-like landing platform, particularly if the cage is only of the thin wire type. That’s great advice! I’ll work on getting him to perch first. My cage has a very large door that I can open if I choose. So, I think you are saying that once I can get him to comfortably perch inside the cage, it’s time to try to come out. Did I get that right?It makes sense. Thanks! Yes.  Once he is reasonably comfortable with your presence and responding to training (stepping up), try getting him to open door. Does the door have a reasonable sized door frame? If it is something of a diameter that he is happy to perch on, this will make his coming and going much easier as they will often sit in the doorway both coming out and going back in. Try getting him to step up onto your finger, but as an older more mature fellow with not a lot of previous human interaction, he might be wary of getting that close to a human hand. If so, keep trying but also see if he is more accepting of stepping onto a spare perch. If he is happy enough to step onto a perch, you can work with that by slowly over time "shortening" the perch by moving your hand down the stick as he becomes more tolerant of the presence of your hand. |
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Feb 7, 2020 20:28:59 GMT
maryann
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 59
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Post by maryann on Feb 15, 2020 1:19:56 GMT
That’s great advice! I’ll work on getting him to perch first. My cage has a very large door that I can open if I choose. So, I think you are saying that once I can get him to comfortably perch inside the cage, it’s time to try to come out. Did I get that right?It makes sense. Thanks! Yes. Once he is reasonably comfortable with your presence and responding to training (stepping up), try getting him to open door. Does the door have a reasonable sized door frame? If it is something of a diameter that he is happy to perch on, this will make his coming and going much easier as they will often sit in the doorway both coming out and going back in. Try getting him to step up onto your finger, but as an older more mature fellow with not a lot of previous human interaction, he might be wary of getting that close to a human hand. If so, keep trying but also see if he is more accepting of stepping onto a spare perch. If he is happy enough to step onto a perch, you can work with that by slowly over time "shortening" the perch by moving your hand down the stick as he becomes more tolerant of the presence of your hand. The door is very large! I’ll work at his pace. I’m looking forward to it and I will take to heart everything you have said. Thank you so much for taking time for me. I truly appreciate it! |
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Post by Hezz on Feb 15, 2020 1:35:15 GMT
I understand that the door is large, just wondering if the doorway, where he would perch, is of a thickness for him to feel secure on, and not just thin wire. Usually a large door will have a good solid frame around it.
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Post by Hezz on Feb 15, 2020 1:38:41 GMT
 A cage is a hard thing to take a photo of but this is what I was trying to find out - is the door framed like this one of mine? |
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Feb 7, 2020 20:28:59 GMT
maryann
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 59
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Post by maryann on Feb 15, 2020 2:39:32 GMT
A cage is a hard thing to take a photo of but this is what I was trying to find out - is the door framed like this one of mine? No. Definitely not thick. I would have to rig something up perhaps a ladder? |
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Feb 7, 2020 20:28:59 GMT
maryann
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 59
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Post by maryann on Feb 15, 2020 2:43:02 GMT
Ohhh... a perch that attaches to the outside?
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Post by Hezz on Feb 16, 2020 0:54:08 GMT
Some people have a little landing platform that attaches to the doorway; not really sure how they work, because I've never needed one. But a perch beside the doorway should work as well. You might need to put one just inside the doorway as well, to entice him to come to the door. Does the door swing out or lift up? This is the sort of thing I have seen others use ... I think it simply clips onto the wires at the bottom of the doorway: img.fruugo.com/product/5/12/36760125_max.jpg |
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Feb 7, 2020 20:28:59 GMT
maryann
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 59
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Post by maryann on Feb 16, 2020 17:27:53 GMT
Some people have a little landing platform that attaches to the doorway; not really sure how they work, because I've never needed one. But a perch beside the doorway should work as well. You might need to put one just inside the doorway as well, to entice him to come to the door. Does the door swing out or lift up? This is the sort of thing I have seen others use ... I think it simply clips onto the wires at the bottom of the doorway: img.fruugo.com/product/5/12/36760125_max.jpgIt swings to the left. I thought if I get perches that you attach with a small bolt and washer, one on each side as you said, it would offer a safe place in and out. Of course it would be perpendicular but the best option I can think of. The perches are about 4 inches long. If I put them as close as I can to the level of the opening, I think it would work. It won’t interfere with the door. When I can afford it, I’ll get him an even bigger cage. But the one I have isn’t much different than what he was in previously. You are so wonderful to keep up with me! Thank you! |
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Post by BloomCountyLover on Feb 16, 2020 21:01:40 GMT
I have always found a rope perch on the outside of the cage just under the door made it much easier for them to manoeuvre in and out of the cage. You can place a ladder from the opening of the door to the rope perch.
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Post by Hezz on Feb 17, 2020 0:54:45 GMT
Some people have a little landing platform that attaches to the doorway; not really sure how they work, because I've never needed one. But a perch beside the doorway should work as well. You might need to put one just inside the doorway as well, to entice him to come to the door. Does the door swing out or lift up? This is the sort of thing I have seen others use ... I think it simply clips onto the wires at the bottom of the doorway: img.fruugo.com/product/5/12/36760125_max.jpgIt swings to the left. I thought if I get perches that you attach with a small bolt and washer, one on each side as you said, it would offer a safe place in and out. Of course it would be perpendicular but the best option I can think of. The perches are about 4 inches long. If I put them as close as I can to the level of the opening, I think it would work. It won’t interfere with the door. When I can afford it, I’ll get him an even bigger cage. But the one I have isn’t much different than what he was in previously. You are so wonderful to keep up with me! Thank you! You're welcome. Hopefully you find something that works for you, and Harvey is out and about soon enough. |
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Feb 7, 2020 20:28:59 GMT
maryann
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 59
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Post by maryann on Feb 17, 2020 19:18:53 GMT
Harvey is making progress. He’s quite calm when I put my hand in his cage. He was preening today with my hand only inches away! 😎 It only took a few seconds to perch and settle down. Awww... he’s so sweet!
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Post by Hezz on Feb 17, 2020 19:22:00 GMT
Good! He is obviously not too concerned that your hand is that evil grabbing monster. That is a good start.
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Once he is reasonably comfortable with your presence and responding to training (stepping up), try getting him to open door. Does the door have a reasonable sized door frame? If it is something of a diameter that he is happy to perch on, this will make his coming and going much easier as they will often sit in the doorway both coming out and going back in.
