Mar 20, 2013 11:06:31 GMT
birdbrain
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 20
|
Post by birdbrain on Mar 20, 2013 13:35:52 GMT
Hello, my name is Tanith. I found this site while looking around about keeping budgies. I am looking after someone's budgie for about six weeks while they are on holiday, but they only have him because he was passed on to them by a lady who is now in a home. Because they don't really want him it is likely I'll be keeping him.. if I can tame him, that is! I was informed that his name is Spinkey, and he is 7 years old. He has never been out of his cage I don't think and he hates anything new in his cage. He only has one toy but gets freaked out if you put anything new in! I'm at a bit of a dilemma because he needs more things to do, but he wont try anything! I am currently taming him but any advice would be very helpful! I have never kept budgies before so am very new to it all, though I was thinking about it last year. I have only had Spinkey a few days but I am already converted so I'll be looking into getting a friend for him if he stays or getting a couple more budgies otherwise. About me, I also keep chickens and mice, as well as a dog. I am fascinated in Ornithology (the study of birds) and biology and all science, particularly biology. My mission is to get Spinkey sitting on my finger, and maybe happy about new things and having free-flight time! He didn't recognise millet or apple when I got him, but now is fine with new foods, and he is just getting used to a new perch I have placed in for him, so I think it's quite promising! Tanith
|
|
|
Post by Moogie on Mar 20, 2013 14:04:10 GMT
Hi and welcome... i know with new toys i always hang them on the outside of the cage for 2-3 days before putting them in just so my budgie elf gets used to them,maybe this will help... Im so glad you are already hooked as am i they are the most amazing little creatures.... Im sure with a lot of patience you will be able to win over spinkeys trust and have him step up on your finger and let him fly around....I know you will be able to get LOADS of great advice from the other members on here..i will leave it to the experts to give you better advice x
|
|
|
Post by lousette on Mar 20, 2013 14:16:14 GMT
Hi Tanith and welcome I was in almost the same situation as you, sort of inheriting my little budgie Hob. He is much younger though (not sure exactly how old he is, but I think probably around a year old) so maybe not as set in his ways as Spinkey. He also had only a tiny cage with no toys except for a mirror. We started off by opening his cage door for extended periods of time during the day while we were around, talking to him a lot while sitting next to his cage (it was summer holidays so my girls were both home and we had plenty of time to spend with him). Eventually he ventured out of his cage (but I assume Spinkey might not do that .... who knows though)and we bought him a playgym. I put the gym right next to his cage and propped it up level with the roof so that when he walked on the roof it was only a short hop to the gym. It took him ages to explore that (like two weeks) but we just gave him time. Then when he felt comfortable coming out and having us around my daughter started to take his food bowl out of his cage and held it for him to eat from. Eventually he hopped onto her finger to eat his seed. This all took a lot of time and patience. He did like millet though so we could tempt him with that and coax him to explore things like the play gym. Now, 6 months later he will hop onto my finger (without the need for a food incentive) and even flies to me when I put my arm out. Like I said maybe Spinkey won't ever be that comfortable as he is older, but time patience and love is on your side. I also do reiki, so at times would just sit next to his cage sending him loving energy. For me building that bond of trust was the most important and taking it slow. I am now getting a friend for him, but I think it is important to first build up trust with you before you try introduce a new bird especially if you want him to be more tame(although others might disagree, I don't know, I really am no expert, just followed my gut). Others might have more insight as to how an older bird who has been alone for such a long time will take to having a friend. I am very sad when I hear of birds who have been cooped up in a cage all of their lives with little or no stimulation, this is terribly sad! I am sure Spinkey will be very happy with you - DON'T GIVE UP. He deserves a second chance.
|
|
Mar 20, 2013 11:06:31 GMT
birdbrain
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 20
|
Post by birdbrain on Mar 20, 2013 15:01:25 GMT
I'll try hanging a toy outside his cage first, see how it goes. Thanks Moogie. Thanks for the advice too lousette, I'll try and leave the door open whenever I'm around then, maybe he'll venture out one day, especially if I can get him comfortable around me and new things
|
|
|
Post by BudgiesBuddy on Mar 20, 2013 15:17:42 GMT
Welcome to forum
|
|
|
Post by mizloco on Mar 20, 2013 15:41:38 GMT
Hi tanith & spinkey Welcome to the forum. Loads of great advice on here from some very experienced people. I have two younger birds so can't give you any tips as they just jump anything new and play. Hope you enjoy the forum and your new budgie.
Sent from my HTC One X using proboards
|
|
|
Post by birdguhl on Mar 20, 2013 21:17:32 GMT
Welcome to you both - like others I am sure you will find lots of info and encouragement here. Spinkey is a lucky bird!
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on Mar 21, 2013 0:55:54 GMT
Hi, Tanith and Spinkey. Welcome to the forum. Moogie and Lousette have both given some good advice there. I would just like to add, that with Spinkey not being exactly in his junior years, you are going to have to take things slowly with him. You will need to be prepared to take his taming in baby steps. He may be a bird who is busting to interact with someone, once he loses his timidity, but the chances are he will always be wary of humans. I am also guessing he is in a cage that is too small for him to have fun in, if this is his original cage. Something to think about, if you do decide to keep him on ........
|
|
Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,827
|
Post by Marianne Marlow on Mar 21, 2013 8:11:45 GMT
welcome I agree with what Hezz said. There is no rush. Take it slow. Can we see pics?
|
|
Mar 20, 2013 11:06:31 GMT
birdbrain
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 20
|
Post by birdbrain on Mar 21, 2013 10:34:26 GMT
Hezz: I'll be taking it slow, for sure.And yes, I'm not sure he'll ever be totally comfortable with humans but I can always try. His cage is quite small I think but I can't buy/make a new one until I'm absolutely certain he can stay. Good news, he used the new perch I put in for him (new for him, rather. But well disinfected so don't worry). It's the blue one on the photos. I managed to get some pics of him on it, taking his reward (millet spray)! There has already been an improvement. He used to panic when you just put your hand in the cage, but he will occasionally let you stroke his belly now, and he usually moves away instead of biting if he has had enough, too I'm being very stupid, how do you upload photos? I can't work it out!
|
|
|
Post by lousette on Mar 21, 2013 11:43:30 GMT
Oh that is good news, if he is already getting better with you putting your hand in the cage etc. then that is definitely a good sign. Have a look at this thread here for posting pictures budgerigarsforum.proboards.com/thread/1788/upload-pictures-clipsI usually simply cut and paste pictures from my blog and that seems to work, but I cannot cut and paste from my computer, it has to be a picture on the net. Many people use photobucket to host their pictures.
|
|
Mar 20, 2013 11:06:31 GMT
birdbrain
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 20
|
Post by birdbrain on Mar 21, 2013 11:54:47 GMT
Thanks lousette. Oh dear, I only have photos on my computer, I don't have photobucket or anything I'll see if I can get it. But you can see a pic of Spinkey on my Avatar which I could upload from the computer. Does anyone know what colour he is? He looks very much like the budgie on lousette's Avatar, and am I right that he is a male?
|
|
May 14, 2024 6:09:08 GMT
Deleted
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2013 12:11:40 GMT
You can open a photobucket account quite easily and it's free. When you have registered it's easy to upload pictures from your computer straight into photobucket and then you use the code they provide, the bottom one on the list, just click the code and it automatically copies it then you paste it onto the forum. If you need any more help just ask.
|
|
Mar 20, 2013 11:06:31 GMT
birdbrain
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 20
|
Post by birdbrain on Mar 21, 2013 12:25:40 GMT
Thank you starlingqueen, I'll try it
|
|
Mar 20, 2013 11:06:31 GMT
birdbrain
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 20
|
Post by birdbrain on Mar 21, 2013 14:52:34 GMT
Ok, I think I might have solved the problem of uploading photos, I'll just try this one to see if it works...
|
|