Budgie Taming

[john]

???Maybe someone could help me with an explanation of my male budgie’s behaviour problem. He’s 14 to 16 weeks old and lives in a nice large cage and seems perfectly happy and healthy, playing with his toys and getting up to all sorts of mad antics one would expect like hanging by one leg from his swing or bells. He takes tip bits from me and comes on my hand and finger. BUT! I cannot get him to go onto the cage floor (twin trays covered with bird sand) no matter how much coaxing or bribing. I have tried slowly lowering him down on my finger but has soon as he gets to the bottom of the bars he flies off. He will not go down below the height of the brown plastic sides (non reflective) and he has NEVER set foot on the sand trays (not one footmark ever) even to retrieve dropped of offered treats. He seems just happy to live his life on his perches.
What can I do to get him interested in a game of football like his predecessor?

[Hezz]

All birds are different, John. Maybe your other bird was happy to indulge your football game, but don't be too surprised that they all don't want to know.

If the bird can't see out from the floor of the cage, I am not surprised it doesn't want to go there. Budgies need to know what is around them, so they can see any danger approaching. If everything he needs is above the floor of the cage, he has no need to go down and put himself in potential danger. If you wish to try getting him to play with a particular toy, try putting the toy on the floor of the room so he can chase it or not, as he feels.

PS I hope you aren't talking of sand sheets on the floor of the cage? These are a waste of money and very bad for birds' feet.

[joiskile]

I know I'm not a good one to advise as I'm here asking for help too but I've found millet to be brilliant. Maybe just leave a spray on the floor and see if he's willing to go and investigate it on his own and in his own time? If he does, you may be able to work from there. Or if he's able to come out of his cage, teach him games like football on a table or the floor? My old budgie loved football too but only played it on the lounge floor. he didn't spend much time on his cage floor either. Good luck!

[john]

Thanks Hezz and joiskile I think perseverance and bribery will be the only way to get him down on the cage floor. He loves millet and devours a sprig in a few hours. I have tried putting millet and a honey seed treat on the cage floor after firstly letting him have a tuck from my hand but he still won’t go down for it. Many hours later he still hasn’t gone down but he keeps glancing down longingly so I end up putting it in clip high up. Who’s the soft hearted idiot.
Perhaps one day I will be rewarded with foot marks in the sand.
Thanks John

[Bird Junky]

Hi Why do you want to play football inside his cage. Isn't

he allowed out? Just curious yours B.J.