New budgie, advice please

[bluex]

Hi,

I recently got a budgie, we have had him for about a week, he loves to chatter away and seems calm in our presence, I talk to him a lot and he chirps back, I have never owned a budgie before and would just like some advice please about getting him comfortable with our hands, how long it will take and when we can let him out of the cage? We did let him out once but I think it traumatised him a bit as we have to catch him to put him back into his cage, we are introducing him to millet and he now knows what it is but still very cautious with our hands, TIA 😘

[bluex]

This is him and his cage x

[ffiscool]

hi, you need to give him plenty of time to get used to everything. I would say, put your hand in the cage, don't do more, leave it there for a short time and then take it out.. he will realise that you are not going to harm him. then increase the time you do that for. keep talking to him, read to him - anything.. also when you are next to him, blink slowly at him. he will see you are not a predator. as you say he seems calm when you're there but that could also be he is a bit scared still and doesn't want to move or anything

there is no set time for these things. the budgie has to trust you all.

I would not think about letting him out again until he is more than happy with hands, even jumps on your hand - that kind of thing. don't give him too much millet.. use it as a treat, maybe when he comes onto your hand/finger.

others will be able to add to this, but the main thing with budgies, is patience.. then you will be rewarded with their friendship

[ffiscool]

he is very pretty

[bluex]

Thank you, is there any toys you could recommend? I’ve read that you have to change them weekly so he doesn’t get bored of the same ones, also how do I encourage him to use his bath? Or do they prefer mist? His tail and bum is a bit mucky haha x

[ffiscool]

you don't have to change them that often. if the plan is that he will be out of the cage quite a bit, then he will not get that bored. You do need more perches in there, and they should be wood, varying widths, this will help with his feet. Anything plastic, do not keep.

there are loads of toys, rope perches, mirrors, it would be what you think and also see if he enjoys playing. I can see he likes his swing.

a lot of us have all sorts of different things. I used to have a hamster see saw - wood, but my budgie used it to run up and down on etc

some hate misting, some love it, but I would get him used to being there and you, before you try that, unless it is one that goes over the opening of the cage and clips on, so he cannot escape and panic. he might be happy to go into the water.

why is it mucky? just because he has sat in something or because the poop is not coming away when he does it? is it runny or watery poop?

[bluex]

Thank you, I’ve read up on loads and every thing is different so I get a bit confused, it just seems stained his bottom from the poop, I assume it’s normal poop it’s not runny or watery, you can just see on the photo x

[ffiscool]

the one I can see on the cage bars looks fine.

It can be confusing indeed. Others will be on with more

what is his name?

[bluex]

Thank you 😊 His name is Blue, I’ve just discovered he loves listening to you sing, does a really cute little chitter like he’s singing along haha, also does a sleepy chitter as well, so in love him with already x

[blueelephant]

Jul 23, 2021 14:09:44 GMT bluex said:

Thank you, I’ve read up on loads and every thing is different so I get a bit confused, it just seems stained his bottom from the poop, I assume it’s normal poop it’s not runny or watery, you can just see on the photo x

I love this photo. Why sit on the perch to get the seed when you can hang upside down above the pot and try to reach in?

Blue is lovely. 

[ladybird]

He is really beautiful, no wonder you love him 💙. Stay on the site and you will get lots of good advise as ffiscool already has given you some. I also think you need more perches, and put them across the cage instead of lengthways so he has more chance to fly. It’s early days as far as taming him goes….take it slowly and very gently. Yes singing to him and talking is really good, he will soon learn to trust and love you. His bottom looks ok to me, the staining could be due to whatever the breeder was weaning him on..
Ask any questions you have, and I am sure you will get plenty of help…..Welcome to you both .

[bluex]

Thank you everyone, just one more question, what sort of perches do you use and what thickness? When I googled it said not to use wooden perches, however I do have 2 so would they be ok for him?

[ladybird]

I think most of us use wooden perches , and use varying thicknesses……..you can use natural tree wood, but I will let others talk about how to use and treat them………These are the type I use.

[tweetiepiesmom]

Yes, Blue is very pretty! I also use perches similar to the ones ladybird showed. I think the caution about wooden perches applies to the round dowel type. Since they are so uniform, they don't exercise the bird's feet. Be careful of metal toys because they might rust and the rust will be toxic to your budgie. I had a swing like the one in your picture. The little bells quickly rusted so I replaced it. Stainless steel is the best choice for metal toys because they don't rust. Enjoy your new little friend.

[Hezz]

(Natural) Tree branches are the best for the bird’s feet, plenty of different ones - different textures and thicknesses so that his feet get plenty of exercise. generally speaking the perches should be thick enough so that his claws wrap about half way around the perch, but slightly bigger and smaller are good for the exercise. Don’t have all the same thickness or all from the same tree as you need different types of bark under his feet as well. Don’t use the pine dowels that come with most cages.

Swings, bells, small mirrors, foraging toys, cat balls are all good toys. It definitely is best to have a complete different set of toys so that they can be rotated on a regular basis. Not only will this keep your bird stimulated but also helps him from becoming obsessed with any one in particular.

The honey-seed stick in the cage is not necessary and only adds unwanted sugar to his diet. Start offering him different vegetables, corn, snow peas, carrot etc. You may have to experiment on how to feed them to him, either chunks or small grated pieces - use your imagination.