Oct 19, 2012 18:40:16 GMT
dallas
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 32
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Post by dallas on Nov 2, 2012 18:21:56 GMT
anyone who has been kind enough to offer me advice on bertie will know we have only had him for 2 weeks, he is about 5 years old and belonged to an elderly lady. now, bertie sings all day, which we love and he eats from my fingers BUT when i put my hand in the cage to try and coax him onto my finger he pecks at my fingers quite aggresively and quite honestly it blooming hurts! i have tried to stroke his little feet and chest but he bites like the devil. now, i realise its early days but am i doing something wrong or am i expecting too much too soon? the little chap appears quite happy but i dont want to let him out until i gain his trust. why does he bite so hard? and what can i do? any advice would be appreciated.
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Post by Gaile on Nov 2, 2012 18:48:50 GMT
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Oct 19, 2012 18:40:16 GMT
dallas
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 32
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Post by dallas on Nov 2, 2012 19:38:22 GMT
thank you, yes i also put my hand in flat and he's like a little devil with his beak open ready to nip!! i'll just have to gain his trust, i do know in his previous home although well fed etc he didn't have much social life
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Feb 29, 2012 21:44:11 GMT
Bird Junky
Normal Green
Posts: 458
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Post by Bird Junky on Nov 2, 2012 20:34:10 GMT
Hello Try this method....
B.J's. Bossy Biting Bird
These birds panic at the mere sight of a hand entering their cage. To prevent further upset the preferred type of both water & seed containers should be of the tube type, which can be refilled without opening the cage door. In the cage provide a basic seed mix, water, iodine block & cuttlebone.
All the other foods birds enjoy, ie, fruit, veg, hard boiled egg, nuts, biscuit etc, are used as treat foods. The birds should be fed the treat foods in small portions through the bars of the cage, with the aid a pair of tweezers or chopsticks to protect your fingers. Change the type of treat at each feed so your bird gets a good mix every day. The smaller the treat portions, the more often the treat feed visits & your arrival means nice things to eat.
As the bird gets used to being fed treat foods this way, very gradually over the next few days. Move your fingers closer to the treat food as you slowly build up a bond of trust between you. If your bird shies away remove the treat food until he settle down & move your fingers further back up the tweezers, away from the food before you re-offer the treat......Do this as many times as it takes.
Don't allow yourself to dislike, get angry, impatient or even mildly annoyed with your bird will sense this & will react accordingly. This treatment reinforces the fact that he is not the boss. You supply the goodies so you dictate the terms of your relationship. A step in any training program takes as long as it takes. Expect a few set backs, birds like people, have good & bad days. Don't be in a hurry, only when your bird is happy to eat from your fingertips through the bars for several days, are you both ready to move on to the next step ......B.J.
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Post by stace on Nov 2, 2012 22:50:12 GMT
Most birds don't like being stroked. Even with very tame birds, it can take a long long time (if ever) for them to be happy about being touched on their body. They'll sometimes let you chuck them under their cheeks (their mask - the very feathery bit either side of their beak). And if they do let you do that, they prefer a very gentle rub AGAINST the grain of the feathers.
You need to be very patient, and take things slowly. First getting him used to eating something from your hand at a distance. Then closer and closer, until he's okay to hop on your hand to eat the treat.
Hopefully Bertie likes millet, and you can use this as a treat/bribe that you ONLY ever feed by hand.
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May 18, 2024 17:48:06 GMT
Deleted
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2012 23:43:42 GMT
My budgie bites too, although only ever when inside his cage or if I disturb him when he's cold or sleepy outside of his cage. He really dislikes fingers but he will let me stroke his cheeks as Stace describes with his original weeble budgie (which broke so I just kept the budgie part). Sometimes if I hold that or his weeble-bell-thing he will play with it and then nip at my hands, but that doesn't hurt.
Hopefully Bertie isn't too set in his ways to learn not to bite. Because he's a lot older he might take a while to settle in, too. Just remember not to rush him too much, even though you'll want to make sure that you're the one in charge, and you'll both get there eventually.
Don't worry, I still flinch on the few occasions that Munchy lunges at me. I need to train myself out of it, but if you can avoid starting to pull away then you'll be in a good position to show Bertie that he can't hurt you or push you around, no matter how much pain he actually causes ^^
Good luck!
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Oct 19, 2012 18:40:16 GMT
dallas
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 32
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Post by dallas on Nov 3, 2012 6:31:45 GMT
thank you
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