I am doing so bad !

[lizb]

I have been really trying with my pair to tame the
But it's going so bad! Winnie flies around and when I do go near ends up nearly hanging off the perch and Ernest breathes so heavy and get very distressed and ends up crashing around smashing into everything an this is me mOving slow or my at all with treats :-(
They don't eat any veg Ernest used to but does not even go near
Ernest can seem to fly around the room he comes put himself nd just smashes into walls and floors panics and ends up knocking feathers
I have put perches and landing spaces but still ends up smashing into walls :-(
Not sure what to do as its been months and months every day and seems he goes bananas !
I know they have bonded together this is my fault for not having Winnie sorted before getting Ernest but I can't do much more !
Me taming them is not the end of the world but ernest smashing Into everything is not good and he cant be left out because I have dogs and they can't be lock out the too
For hours

[Bird Junky]

HI Take a deep breath, relax & do it this way.....

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.
Change the type of treat food each time you visit so your bird gets a good mix every day. Millet can get so boring
The smaller the treat portions, the more often the treat feed visits & your arrival means nice things to eat but don't hover over the cage like a predator.
Feed the treat food through the bars & remove treat food for ten seconds if any fear or aggression is shown.
When the birds are happy to eat from your fingers you can move on to hand feeding inside the cage.
Use a hanky fixed to the bar above the door with two clothes pegs to act as a safety curtain to prevent your birds escaping via the open door.
Don't expect step-up until they are happy to eat from your hand every time.
Remember offer it don't try to force it on them.
Your aim is to build up a strong bond of friendship & trust between you.
After a day or two of successful regular hand feeding. Your birds should be ready for step-up.
For their own safety birds should be confined to their cages until step-up has been mastered.
Chasing & catching a bird can undermine any bond built up between you & your birds......B.J.

[Rachael Kellett]

While I agree with parts of what you have said Bird Junky, in that using treats to get them to trust you is a good way to go, I do not believe that a budgie should be kept caged just because they are not tame. Not all of my budgies will step up yet they all get to come out every day and even go back in by themselves when it is time.

Liz: I think, by the sound of it, you need to go back to step one with Winnie and Ernest. Try sitting next to their cage and talking softly to them, blink and them and just watch them out of the corner of your eye, maybe read a book or watch tv? After a few days of this try putting your hand just in the opening of the cage with a millet spray on it. If they start panicking or puffing then don't take it any further into the cage. Do this a few times each day to get them used to your presence. Its a lot harder to earn the trust of budgies than it is with other pets such as cats or dogs. They see us as big scary predators which you need to show they that you aren't.

As for Ernest crashing around the room...hmmm...does he come out by himself? Maybe put a play gym on top of the cage, so he can sit there and feel safe. If he comes out and hits a wall just use a small cloth to pick him up (not your hands) and pop him on top of the cage. Then give him time to calm down.

[lizb]

Ernest come out by himself and we have a play gym but wants to get to Winnie who is flying up high he just smashes around the place really clumsy wr thought its because he does not know his space / flight paths at first but we have had him ages and he can't master it at all we have tried a small too
But that makes it worse I do put him back in he will step up onto a stick but will come out and start again
As for the taming I sit next to the cage all the time as my chair is next to them and do every day. The don't take treats at all and don't have veg even when offered all the time I have tried on plates and bowls all sorts just crazy !

[lizb]

I would not dream o gettin rid on the basis of him not performing to what I want him to do As for his own happiness he seems totally happy in the cage with Winnie plays and eats and sings as per normal
I spoke to my Nanna on this she pointed out that really that's it's unnatural for birds to want to be touched by humans but some birds r better at this and some will not have it at all !
Yes he is a flight risk but again I imagine some birds co-ordination and flyin is better than others

[Hezz]

Great post, Mick! I wish more people would think like that!

Liz, you wanted an exhibition bird - unfortunately, it seems you got just that! A bird that looks pretty, but not too good at getting around. I don't have an answer for you, as I can't imagine having a bird that uncoordinated. I feel sorry for you all! Winnie for a friend that can't fly; Earnest because he doesn't know how, and you because I don't know how to help!

[lizb]

Not sure what to say ...... :-(

[annieones]

Khloro was a bit uncoordinated at first and was continually falling off perches, and not very good at flying compared to Thala, but he got better with practice. Perhaps Earnest will and in the mean time make sure there aren't too many obstacles in the way. Be positive things will get better.

[Hezz]

Nov 30, 2012 16:17:06 GMT lizb said:

Not sure what to say ...... :-(

Sorry, wasn't trying to hurt ........ Hopefully he will strengthen up with time.

[outnumbered]

Nov 30, 2012 8:38:47 GMT @mickmay said:

Nov 30, 2012 6:32:39 GMT lizb said:

I would not dream o gettin rid on the basis of him not performing to what I want him to do As for his own happiness he seems totally happy in the cage with Winnie plays and eats and sings as per normal
I spoke to my Nanna on this she pointed out that really that's it's unnatural for birds to want to be touched by humans but some birds r better at this and some will not have it at all !
Yes he is a flight risk but again I imagine some birds co-ordination and flyin is better than others

i did not say get rid on the basis of him not performing ..
to what you want him to do ...

im just pointing out he is not safe with his out time .....

and as out time is important ....

being in a aviary with other budgies ....
that are free flying all the time ....

might be what suits him best ....

and as you pionted out ...

it's unnatural for birds to want to be touched by humans ...

but it is also unnatural ....
for them to live in cages or aviarys...

but as we insist on keeping them ....

it is our duty...

to keep them happy health and safe at all times..

this includes there out time ...

I completely agree with what you say Mick. At the end of the day if he is crashing etc that is a difficult problem to overcome. Stepping up is one thing but that is another. If I were a budgie and I had the choice of a nice big avairy with lots of friends or a cage I know what i would choose I am not saying you have to do this but just saying if you are worried or feeling guilty about him, then don't. Don't feel guilty I got Lilly and put her with Kiwi and they are not very tame and they get on great it sounds like your budgie is just one of those that maybe do not adapt to home life. I really hope you get this sorted

[lizb]

:-(

[outnumbered]

Don't feel bad, you obviously love your birds and have more patience than most of us and only you really know your birds. I am sure you will make the best decision for all of you .

Good Luck