Adopted 1 year old Budgie boys and need some help

[skedaddle]

Hello all,

New to the forum and is my first post. Like the title says, we just adopted 2, one year old male Budgies, Rossi and Valentino (Vale for short) from a family that can't provide for them anymore. They have been together the whole time over the last year. Things are going pretty well to the best I can tell. It has only been 4 days since adopting them and they are getting comfortable with my hand being in the cage and moving things around without them getting just beside themselves. They will eat spray millet from my hand if I hold it far enough away. Like maybe having a few inches of millet sticking out away from my fingers. 

Rossi will call out loudly as soon as I leave the room. Which I think is a good sign. I have introduced them to fresh veggies and fruits, as well as a pellet food. Seems that they were only given the commercial seed for the past year. So far they have tried a few bites of Kale, Romaine, Arugala, Parsley, etc. but haven't gone crazy over it yet. They may have tried some apple, banana and strawberries because I covered them with seeds so they would have to at least taste the fruit getting the seeds off, but I can't confirm if they actually ate any. Also bought a food processor so that I can begin making them some chop. Found a few recipes for daily seed mix and have ordered a bunch of stuff that will be here tomorrow. I'm excited about providing them with a quality of life upgrade.

All in all, I believe things are off to a relatively good start seeing what the situation was.

Here are some of my questions though. Since being by themselves and bonding to each other and nobody else, what are the chances that they will actually come out of the cage? Or to me? Or become hand tame? Is it too late? I really want to have them comfortable enough that they can come out of the cage and explore their new home. Don't think they have ever gotten to do that before. At least they don't act like it. 

Would getting a younger Budgie (3-4 months old) that is not bonded to them and working with it separately help them by way of them seeing that everything is ok?

Confused. Need any advice you have. 
 

[mona]

Yes, they would come out of the cage and can be tamed too. Usually, one would be bold enough to try and others would follow. It's never too late 😊

Getting a younger budgie might resolve your issue or the young budgie might adapt to the way of living of the flock.

I have two birdies.. each one of them is bold enough to try something new..and knowing their likes helps with the taming too.. mine have associated my hands with food and treats.. but it has taken a long time to get them step up on my finger, play with a ball from my hand etc

It's too early for them to adapt to the new lifestyle though. Once they are comfortable with the cage and surroundings, they will be curious to come out of the cage. Clipping the millet spray on the cage door, when door is open, helps them overcome the fear of "the outer world". I normally add platform perches on outer side of the cage to help them associate the cage door entrance when flying back to the cage.

[tweetiepiesmom]

Sounds like you are indeed getting off to a good start providing them a good diet and a loving home. Take things slow. Observe them and see if you can determine which of the two is the more curious about you. Is there one that jumps to the millet first or moves to the side of the cage where you are or just seems to watch you more? That is the one that I'd suggest you start training. Gradually shorten the piece of millet you are holding so he's getting closer to your hand. Observe them as they climb the bars. Are they using the left foot or right foot to first climb the bars? Yes, birds are "left handed and right handed"! In time, the bit of millet will be short enough that they are ready to try getting on your hand. You will apply light pressure on the belly just above the feet. Apply slightly more pressure on the dominant footed side. Don't be discouraged if they jump right off. They will get tame enough to sit on your hand - it just takes time.

Talk to them a lot and frequently throughout the day. Put a perch on the outside of the cage just beside the door. Hang a toy that you've seen them play with there and a bit of millet to entice them to come out. Once they get used to their surroundings, they will come out. The first flight around the room make look like an uncoordinated dash around. You may even need to rescue them because they are perched somewhere and not know the way back to the cage. They'll get to know the room and will fly around more.


I would not get another budgie at this time, just continue to work with them.

As you feed them fresh food, particularly greens, you'll discover which ones they like best. They'll come running when you put it in their cage and devour it!

Enjoy your new birdie friends. We'd love to hear more about them and see pictures!

[skedaddle]

Jun 9, 2021 16:18:58 GMT mona said:

"Yes, they would come out of the cage and can be tamed too. Usually, one would be bold enough to try and others would follow. It's never too late 😊"

Perfect. Looks like my boy Rossi is going to be the one who is brave enough to try it. I'll just keep doing what I'm doing and hopefully they will trust me soon. **fingers crossed**

Thank you for the reply.

[skedaddle]

Jun 9, 2021 16:29:13 GMT tweetiepiesmom said:

Sounds like you are indeed getting off to a good start providing them a good diet and a loving home.

Yes, I have been doing a LOT of reading and watching videos trying to gather as much info as possible. It's a LOT!!! 

Take things slow. Observe them and see if you can determine which of the two is the more curious about you. Is there one that jumps to the millet first or moves to the side of the cage where you are or just seems to watch you more? That is the one that I'd suggest you start training.

That would be Rossi. He will come the closest to my hand. He is the one who will jump to the cage and locate call for me. 

Observe them as they climb the bars. Are they using the left foot or right foot to first climb the bars? Yes, birds are "left handed and right handed"!

I never would have known this to be true. Very interesting! Will watch more diligently.

Put a perch on the outside of the cage just beside the door. Hang a toy that you've seen them play with there and a bit of millet to entice them to come out.

Funny you say that. I have a perch I just ordered coming in today just for this purpose. The previous owner had the dowel type perches in there and I removed all of those and replaced them with natural wood ones. They are getting a complete remodeling.

Once they get used to their surroundings, they will come out. The first flight around the room make look like an uncoordinated dash around. You may even need to rescue them because they are perched somewhere and not know the way back to the cage. They'll get to know the room and will fly around more.

I can't wait for this. 

I would not get another budgie at this time, just continue to work with them.

I will hold off on this until they become better acclimated. We'll see if the wife will even allow another one.   

Enjoy your new birdie friends. We'd love to hear more about them and see pictures!

I will definitely keep you posted on their progress. Haven't tried any picture taking just yet but I will get some posted soon.

[Hezz]

Someone a fan of the Moto GP by any chance?? . If they take after their name-sake you have your work cut out for you.

As these two budgies have grown up together, I would bet that they are very well bonded but that doesn’t mean they will totally ignore you. Having them out of their cage is imperative to their good health and well being, whether they come out of their own accord or by your instigation is up to you. The problem is most likely to be getting them back into the cage once they have had a little taste of freedom, so starting them off in a small room can work to your advantage, and only providing them with food inside the cage.

Take your time with allowing them to get to know you, don’t try pushing the trust thing too much. It will take some time before they are completely settled into their new home and their behaviour will change as they become more comfortable with their environment and new routines. Be patient, be persistent, and persevere. Most of all, stay upright.

[skedaddle]

Quick update.

When giving my boys fresh seed when I got home, Rossi decided it would be a great time to fly out of the cage. He flew around the kitchen and living room then landed by the TV. I slowly went to give him my finger and he stepped up onto it. I was ecstatic. Slowly walked him back into the living room where he jumped onto the cage. Used this time to offer him millet spray for being such a good boy. Got him to even step back onto my finger to get the millet. Knew he was going to be the brave one.

Not sure if this is going to work but I am attempting to post a pic. If this works, Rossi is the blue one and Vale is yellow.

[tweetiepiesmom]

Yeah - good boy Rossi! Come on Vale - your turn! Both pretty boys.

[skedaddle]

Jun 10, 2021 1:22:18 GMT Hezz said:

Someone a fan of the Moto GP by any chance?? . If they take after their name-sake you have your work cut out for you.

Absolutely. Me and my son both love Valentino.

As these two budgies have grown up together, I would bet that they are very well bonded but that doesn’t mean they will totally ignore you. Having them out of their cage is imperative to their good health and well being, whether they come out of their own accord or by your instigation is up to you. The problem is most likely to be getting them back into the cage once they have had a little taste of freedom, so starting them off in a small room can work to your advantage, and only providing them with food inside the cage.

I didn't see your post until after I posted just a minute ago. Rossi came out of the cage today. Super excited. I let him stay out for about half an hour and, no, he didn't really want to go back but I just kept moving my finger towards him and he did eventually step up.

Take your time with allowing them to get to know you, don’t try pushing the trust thing too much. It will take some time before they are completely settled into their new home and their behaviour will change as they become more comfortable with their environment and new routines. Be patient, be persistent, and persevere. Most of all, stay upright.

Patience is definitely key here. Wasn't going to push them in any way but I heard some bad things about birds who have bonded together while also not being allowed to roam about. Made me nervous about how long it was going to take. Thanks for the advice.

[skedaddle]

Jun 10, 2021 1:31:03 GMT tweetiepiesmom said:

Yeah - good boy Rossi! Come on Vale - your turn! Both pretty boys.

Vale is quite a bit more cautious. However, he didn't try to move away when I offered him millet by hand inside the cage. He's coming around. Baby steps.

Offered them egg for the first time.....LOVE IT!!!

Oh, and thank you for the compliment on them. They are pretty boys to be sure.

[criswell]

Your boys are lovely and settling in well. They are going to have a lovely life with you

[skedaddle]

Jun 10, 2021 8:04:49 GMT criswell said:

Your boys are lovely and settling in well. They are going to have a lovely life with you

Thank you. Trying my very best. Glad to have this site as a resource. No matter how much reading or video watching I do, there is no better resource than others real-life experiences. 

[ariella]

Fantastic names. We are big fans of The Doctor here too and have been for years! Have you read his autobiography? I really enjoyed it. He’s incredibly talented and mischievous, so Rossi and Vale are perfect names for your new buds. Looking like he might retire after this season though.
Sounds like you’re getting off to a really good start with them. They are absolutely gorgeous!

[skedaddle]

Jun 10, 2021 17:37:55 GMT ariella said:

Fantastic names. We are big fans of The Doctor here too and have been for years! Have you read his autobiography? I really enjoyed it.

Hi Ariella. No, I haven't read it. I may have to check it out.

He’s incredibly talented and mischievous, so Rossi and Vale are perfect names for your new buds. Looking like he might retire after this season though.

I know. Not happy about this at all.

Sounds like you’re getting off to a really good start with them. They are absolutely gorgeous!

Thank you. I think so too but I'm a bit partial. Yesterday, I took their water bowl out to fill it with fresh water and when I turned around they were BOTH standing on the perch I placed just outside of the cage door. I just stopped and froze for a minute because I didn't want to scare Vale. Only took them like 30 seconds before they both flew off into the kitchen. IT WAS AWESOME TO SEE!! Filled me with joy to be sure.

Rossi had no problem stepping up on my finger but Vale still didn't want anything to do with it. But I had purchased one of the smaller diameter dowel perches for just this scenario. He didn't have a problem doing that. Eventually I had Rossi step off of my finger and onto the perch next to Vale and we just sat on the couch together for like 15 minutes. Good stuff.

I also made my first batch of chop (made entirely too much. scaling down is in order ) and gave them some as soon as it was ready. I saw them at their food bowl more than I ever have since getting them. All the seed I ordered came in also and was able to get them off of the junk commercial stuff.

My wife says that I take better care of the boys than I do her.   What can I say? She's just jealous! 

[ariella]

That’s amazing news skedaddle. The two of them are really doing so well with you.
No one will ever live up to Rossi in the Moto GP. We’re keeping an eye on his younger brother Luca, hoping he’ll have the same sort of personality and skill.
The book is great if you are much of a reader and he writes about his childhood, how even now, his childhood friends are with him as he travels the circuits and the things he’s got up to made me laugh out loud a number of times. It’s called ‘What if I had never tried it’ and he was so good he could have gone into F1 too.

I say that to my husband when he’s out polishing the cars or playing golf! 😉