Help with new Budgie

[andyjh64]

Hi everyone I hope you can give me some advice regarding my new baby Budgie that I brought home yesterday. I believe he is about 5-6 weeks old.  Since I first got him home he has sat on the floor of the cage but overnight he seems to have settled in a bit and is wandering around but still staying at the bottom. He wouldn't go higher to the sides where the food and water trays were and I know this is not uncommon when a young bird is put in a cage for the first time so I took the trays down and put them on the floor with him.  He seems to be now eating and drinking happily and has also started chirping quite a bit. This afternoon,  I decided to put the trays back, they are still quite low in the cage but on the sides,  to encourage him to start exploring the cage a bit and reach the food.  However he seems to be having trouble climbing or even flying to the lower perches,  although he is trying.  Is this normal? Have I done this too soon and should I have just kept the trays on the bottom for now?  Any advice appreciated.  Thanks.

[Hezz]

Even if five weeks old he should be perching and flying by now, but perhaps he didn’t have the opportunity to do so where-ever you got him from. It sounds like he may have been removed from his parents too early and hasn’t learnt to perch or fly properly yet.

For now put the food and water back down onto the floor of the cage. Set one perch so that one end is also on the floor of the cage and angled up to be fixed on the side of the cage as normal, but on the lowest level. If he is ready to perch, he will do so. Until you see him perching from his own efforts, keep the food and water on the floor of the cage. Until he does so, he may appreciate a little upturned box to sneak into during the night to give him the security of the nest. Cut a door out of part of it to allow him to go inside. You may find that he will be happy to sleep in there. You may only need it for a day or two.

[andyjh64]

Thanks! I actually tried what you suggested before I read your reply, and it worked! He has made his way up the perch and to the food tray, sitting on the perch and seems much happier! He has even tried to climb up to the higher perches a couple of times. He seems to be getting there. Thanks for your help

[Hezz]

That’s good news. It sounds like he might simply be a little behind in development since he hasn’t had an older bird to show him what to do. Well done, little budgie, for working it out on your own.