Budgie Won't Stop Biting Me

[Jakey]

I brought this little fella from a Pet Store a few weeks back. They said they got him from A breeder and that he is already hand tamed. He is only 13 weeks Old Now.

He settled in well and loves talking to our other budgies in the house. He is really used to my finger and enjoys jumping on my hand. I have yet to get him out of the cage.

Ever since we got him to seems to enjoy biting on my fingers, sometimes hard. I just thought it was because he was young and is just exploring.

But lately every time I put my hand in the cage he leans in very quickly and bites me really hard in anger from his perch. Or makes a noise basically telling me to leave him alone.

Why is he doing this, have I done something wrong to him. His cage isn't the easiest to access and I can only get one hand it at a time. I don't want to cramp him in.

[Hezz]

Budgies do go through a teen stage where they will often start biting when previously they didn't. Some keep it up for ages, others get over it very quickly, in the space of a few weeks. You need to find a way to let him know this is not acceptable behaviour. The worst thing you can do is react, verbally, and pull away. Your little "fella" may also be a hen, in which case your biter may take longer to train out of this. Any chance of photos so we can tell?

[stace]

To add to Hezz, the biting in the cage sounds territorial. Try to come bearing "gifts' when you put your hand in for a while. Millet perhaps. Associate the intruder hand with a treat. Sometimes it just means "I'm happy in here right now. This is MY place. MY bedroom. Could you at least knock first!"

[Deleted]

i have to agree 100% ....
with both posts from hess and stace .. .

also if he/she was hand tame you should be able to get the budgie out of the cage ...
and this will tell if it is just biting territorially ..
plus if you dont handle him/her alot....
that tameness will go ...

so dont wait to long ...

they need handling alot after they have settled in ....
to build up and keep there trust/bond ...

[Bird Junky]

Hi This should solve your problem....

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.
STEP ONE.
These are to be fed through the bars to protect your fingers
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. Any attempt to bite, you should remove the treat food for a count of ten & re-offer it. Do this as many times as required. When feeding, don't hover over the cage like a predator. Keep this up until your happy biting has stopped completely.
STEP TWO
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 it's happy to eat from your hand every time.
Remember offer it don't try to force it on him/her.
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 bird should be ready for step-up.
STEP THREE No three until steps one & two completed....
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 bird......B.J.

[Jakey]

It's hard trying to get him to step up when as soon as I get my hand in he jumps straight on it.

[Bird Junky]

Dec 3, 2012 14:17:13 GMT Jakey said:

It's hard trying to get him to step up when as soon as I get my hand in he jumps straight on it.

Hi, I take it, you haven't read my post yet???......B.J.

[Jakey]

Don't worry I have read you post. I welcome the feedback.

[Jakey]

Thanks for all the Help So Far.

At the moment when I put my hand on the page and he jumps on it, I am saying "Up" to him. So he can get used to me saying that. And when he lands on my hand, I say "Well Done Jakey" and Offer him a tiny piece of millet. After a few nibbles, I take it away so he knows there is more coming as he didn't finish that piece.

Then if he bites me or pulls at the tops of my fingers. I blow towards him softly and say "No" or "No Jakey". I would tap my finger onto his foot but as I try and do that he puts this foot on that finger. And tapping his head isn't an option in the cage he is in.

If he stops biting, I praise him and give him a bit of millet but if he pecks me after I will count to ten and see if he bites me again. If he does I blow at him softly and telling him "No" again. And I am repeating that process till the end of his 15 minute training.

Does this sound okay.

Still really want to get him out.

[samwiseg]

You are doing really well, he will start understanding that good behaviour gives rewards!

Would advise to let him settle in his new home before you start letting him out, but the training will help towards that no doubt.

Well done and keep us posted!

[Hezz]

Sounds like all positive signs. Jakey is progressing very well.

[Bird Junky]

Hi I seem to be in the minority here. But blowing into a birds eyes
could cause eye problems. Plus its a form of punishment & could
ruin the friend ship your trying to build up between you.
The removal of the treat doesn't cause any pain to either party .
It might help if you stop putting your fingers in his beak.
If he's still biting....Why are you hand feeding inside his cage yet???
If after step-up & his taste of millet. Put him back on the perch by
gently touching his belly against a perch so he steps onto it &
withdraw your hands & treat from his cage. Repeat at next lesson.

I shall amend my post to clarify these points.....B.J.

[Hezz]

BJ, If Jakey has found a way to work with his bird that isn't the same as yours, this does not mean it is wrong. You can make suggestions, and offer advice, but there is no written rule that says anyone has to take them on board.

Jakey hasn't actually written that he blows into the bird's eyes. He has written " I blow towards him softly". Big difference from blowing into it's eyes.

[Bird Junky]

Hi Hezz Better that B..J. takes some flack than a bird gets injured by anyone acting on bad advice.. ...B.J.

[Jakey]

Dude whatever ever your problem is, I suggest you drop it now.

If you think I would ever hurt my Birds, you are mistaken!!!