Nervous Chicks

[ruby 5]

Please can anyone help with advice on nervous chicks? I moved my 6 chicks and dad into a nursery cage when the youngest was 6 wks. This was just over a week ago, I moved the cage next to the other birds and left them to settle for a couple of days without disturbing them to much. Since then they seem to be more and more nervous of me putting my hand in the cage despite being handled every day when they were in the breeding cage. The only bird that will sit on my finger is the youngest one. I am talking and putting my hand in the cage at least 4 times a day but with no success, I don't know what I'm doing wrong and i'ts really upsetting seeing them like this when once they were so tame............any help with this please

[BudgiesBuddy]

Are their parents tame? Are the budgies around them tame?

This is very important. Budgies learn it from their parents and sometimes from other budgies too. Handling does not guarantee that the chicks would be tame 100%. I have seen my fairly tame young budgies to be afraid of me once they saw other budgies jumping and flying in the cage when I tried to hold them.

[ruby 5]

Thank you for the reply BB. No, all the other budgies are not tame. Some were quite old I think when we got them and I've never been able to tame them. Their Dad is one of them, do you think this is the reason why his chicks have become nervous? I did wonder if this was the case and whether I should take him out of the nursery cage. The tamest youngest one is not quite 6 weeks yet, as I wrote earlier, she was only 4 weeks...is this why she is trusting of me?

[BudgiesBuddy]

That maybe the reason but it also depends on the individual's personality. Removing the dad and keeping the chicks a little far may help, if the damage in not too much

[Bird Junky]

Hello I always found that it is a good idea to offer a
treat to any bird who's space your invading.
Professional trainers always give a treat to a bird.
Before. To get their attention &
After as a thank you.
Pet keepers forget the treat bit & then wonder why
their birds become, wild, disobedient or naughty.....B.J.

[BudgiesBuddy]

Yes a millet spray in hand is always an advantage.

[sydney]

I know what you mean I handled babies daily that a male had to raise in his own I even gave them a single feed a day to help him out yet once they got there wings they didn't want to know me even when they were in the cage. Yet with my other pair the hen was a hand reared girl and father not tame but very curious so there chicks appear like the father and curious so they nibble my fingers etc atm. Which is cute

[ruby 5]

Thank you all I've tried the treats in hand, a piece of millet and even a small piece of toast which did work ! I'll keep on trying, I'm not giving up on them

[Hezz]

I hope you get them to come around, Ruby. Good luck with them, they are all beautiful, too. A credit to you.