New budgie help!

[jemmarnadine]

I have a new budgie... he was born on the 21st October and is my first ever budgie so I'm new to this.

I've noticed that he hasnt really eaten much since he's got here, is this normal for his age? He also sleeps in his seed,, and poos in it so i have to keep throwing out perfectly good seed.. is there anyway i can stop this?

Also, he was handreared by the breeder and has taken to me instantly, he will sit with me all day long,, follow me around the house on my shoulder etc. and preen me, however he has taken to attacking my sisters clothing. Why could this be? he will rip holes in them practically but when i try to take him away he'll instantly fly back to her and start again. I don't know how to stop this.

Please Help, Thankyou

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[Bird Junky]

Hi I suggest , When he's on your shoulder every few seconds
distract him with just a peck of his favourite treat when your
sisters around. If he still attacks her. Put him back in his cage
for 2 or 3 min . Don't talk or make eye contact with him. DO
this every time he lands on your sister. Before he even
has a chance to bite her clothes......B.J.

[Hezz]

Dec 15, 2012 12:33:41 GMT jemmarnadine said:

I have a new budgie... he was born on the 21st October and is my first ever budgie so I'm new to this.

I've noticed that he hasnt really eaten much since he's got here, is this normal for his age?
How long have you had him/ If it has been merely days this is normal for him not to eat much until he settles in. You can try getting him some millet sprays and hanging one in the cage. Most budgies love the stuff, so if he was interested in eating anything, this is usually what they go for first.

He also sleeps in his seed,, and poos in it so i have to keep throwing out perfectly good seed.. is there anyway i can stop this?

This also is indicative of his age. The only way to stop it is to have a small pot he can't fit into, otherwise simply wait - he will grow out of it. The seed pot is the closest thing to resemble a nest in his new home, so he is looking to replicate the nest-box scenario. If you understand why he does it, it is easier to fine a solution.



Also, he was handreared by the breeder and has taken to me instantly, he will sit with me all day long,, follow me around the house on my shoulder etc. and preen me, however he has taken to attacking my sisters clothing. Why could this be? he will rip holes in them practically but when i try to take him away he'll instantly fly back to her and start again. I don't know how to stop this.

Please Help, Thankyou

[samwiseg]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

All budgies take a while to settle in to a new home, but sounds like your friend is particularly attached to you already which is good for bonding. You may wish to use this to your advantage when training him as BJ has advised try the distraction technique.

He will find his feet within the cage and will feed from the seed pots (he might already be doing it but when you are not looking) but agree with Hezz about the nest instinct, as he is still young it is understandable.

But all these things are perfectly normal, enjoy your new birdie, what have you named him?

[Ryan.W]

Dec 15, 2012 12:33:41 GMT jemmarnadine said:

I have a new budgie... he was born on the 21st October and is my first ever budgie so I'm new to this.

I've noticed that he hasnt really eaten much since he's got here, is this normal for his age? He also sleeps in his seed,, and poos in it so i have to keep throwing out perfectly good seed.. is there anyway i can stop this?

Also, he was handreared by the breeder and has taken to me instantly, he will sit with me all day long,, follow me around the house on my shoulder etc. and preen me, however he has taken to attacking my sisters clothing. Why could this be? he will rip holes in them practically but when i try to take him away he'll instantly fly back to her and start again. I don't know how to stop this.

Please Help, Thankyou

It's normal for them not too eat very much or at all infact for the first day or too, just until they get used with the new surroundings. From what i remember they usually do sleep in the seed dish for a little while when they're young, it's because they're used to the safety ,security and i suppose comfort of the nest box and getting to lie down. Eventually he'll grow out of it. Chewing the clothing is quite normal, budgies are playful, destructive little beggars ;D. Try giving him a alternate thing to destroy, northen parrots is quite good ,they've got quite a few toys that budgies love to tear apart. Even a few twigs from a apple tree too chew on entertains mine for hours. Theirs not really much you can do about him sitting in the seed pot, apart from wait until he grows out of it, apart from as Hezz said to try and find a smaller dish he can't fit into or perhaps only putting it in for certain times of the day to allow him to eat his fill then removing it.