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Post by Hezz on Aug 31, 2013 2:50:21 GMT
That's their survival instincts kicking in, Nettles. And while the more bold get more food, they also take more risks in getting that food, so there are pay-offs for both. With the flying, and your fears, I think the small room may again be beneficial, as they won't be flying so much as flitting. In this, I am guessing, obviously, as I can't really imagine the fear you have with this. But at least in this way, they will only fly a very short distance before landing, we hope. It may help for you to have someone else in the room with you for the first few times to take control, so to speak, if you do start to freak out. The worst thing would be for them to feel your anxiety and get anxious themselves. Do you know, you would be the perfect candidate to be the owner of french moulters or any others who for one reason or another, can't fly. That doesn't help you with Melman and Marge, though.
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Apr 21, 2012 20:15:21 GMT
marleen4
Normal Green
Posts: 334
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Post by marleen4 on Aug 31, 2013 3:31:45 GMT
Reading this threat again, I think there is a risk that due to your worries you won't be able to catch the birds again once they have left the cage and fly around. A support person who can help out and encourages you to handle your budgies will be important, so your confidence will grow. Once you have done this a few times you won't remember what you were concerned about!
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Post by nettles on Aug 31, 2013 4:21:58 GMT
It's funny how Melman is terrified of Marge but yet he trusts her to tell him if the food's safe.. either that or he's just waiting to see if she keels over first I'm determined to do the first out of cage flights on my own. I actually suffer with acute anxiety and my normal response to any uncomfortable situation would be to let my OH deal with it to avoid having a panic attack. I'm afraid that if I let him deal with it first, my anxiety has a chance to build and I'll never do it myself. Also, no matter how scared I am, I know I'll always put the birdies safety first and force myself to stay calm and deal with it until they are safely back in their cage... Then I might go outside and have a good cry lol When we agreed to take the birds off my mum I made myself a promise that regardless of my fears, I'd give them as happy and healthy a life as I possibly could. I'm determined to stick to that promise and I know getting some "out of cage" time is the best thing for them
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Apr 21, 2012 20:15:21 GMT
marleen4
Normal Green
Posts: 334
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Post by marleen4 on Aug 31, 2013 4:26:42 GMT
I love your attitude; you are very brave indeed!!!
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Post by nettles on Aug 31, 2013 4:27:19 GMT
Hezz, if only I had known there were breeds of birds that couldn't fly!! I thought it was only ostriches and emus.. and they'd be too big for a cage in my dining room
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Post by nettles on Aug 31, 2013 4:29:41 GMT
Aww thanks Marleen Im only brave when it comes to my birdies being happy though. Put me in a crowded shopping centre and I'm the biggest wimp in the world lol.
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Post by OP on Aug 31, 2013 6:56:07 GMT
I understand the phobia Nettles, I have had to deal with a few in my time. Each time it is the same outcome ' what on earth was I frightened of' or words to that effect. To deal with it as you are is very brave. Well done. As for putting the birds back in the cage, in my limited experience, you don't have to. Just leave the food and water in the cage and leave the budgie(s) to it. When it wants some food it has to go in the cage, and it will. Be prepared for a long wait though, especially if you are staying in the bathroom. As long as it is safe for Marge you can just leave her in there. She will go in the cage when she has had enough. That's what I did for Joey the last time he was out. The details are in another post somewhere.
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Post by nettles on Aug 31, 2013 11:47:41 GMT
Awk thanks OP I remember reading your other post. Joey went back in for a big drink if I remember correctly? If I have any bother getting Marge back in the cage myself, we'll both just stick it out in the bathroom until she goes back in herself. I'll bring myself a packed lunch as we might be in there for a while
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Post by ffiscool on Aug 31, 2013 11:50:56 GMT
Lol. Flask of tea
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Post by OP on Aug 31, 2013 13:33:59 GMT
And a newspaper. To read of course.
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Post by ffiscool on Aug 31, 2013 22:03:22 GMT
They could tweet on twitter, lol
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Post by Hezz on Sept 1, 2013 1:31:49 GMT
Hezz, if only I had known there were breeds of birds that couldn't fly!! I thought it was only ostriches and emus.. and they'd be too big for a cage in my dining room These aren't actually a breed of bird, but some budgies pick up a disease which causes them to lose all or most of their flight feathers and so can't fly. We have a few members who have birds like this and they can still have happy, maybe not quite so healthy, lives, although Skysmum's Jo Jo is 12 years old!! Others through injury, sometimes never regain the ability to fly, if the wing is damaged. But back to Marge, i suggest you work on either or both stick training her, so she will step up onto a stick, and/or finger training so she will step up onto your finger before you let her out the first time. It makes for a much more interactive time for you both. She will be easier to handle with this training in place, and usually makes it easier to get them back into the cage as well.
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Post by OP on Sept 1, 2013 6:47:18 GMT
Could we have a picture of the cage please? Maybe I would appreciate the difficulties you may be facing. I seem to remember you saying it was a chinchilla cage, but there is quite a few designs.
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Post by nettles on Sept 3, 2013 4:13:19 GMT
Sorry for the late replies folks but our internet has been sooo slow! We dismantled the cage on Saturday. Turns out the entire top half lifts off and can be reattached to the tray at the bottom. Neither of them seemed bothered by the fact that the cage was half the size as before! We also discovered that the whole front section of the cage can be completely unclipped leaving just the back, the top and two sides.. I noticed last week that the smaller cage had a few specks of rust on the wire at the bottom but I had covered it with newspaper so I wasn't too worried. I was putting fresh seed in before Marge's big move and I noticed another patch on the inside just above where the water bowl attaches She loves to climb the cage with her beak so it's too risky. I was gutted!!! Not only because we can't afford another cage at the minute but also because the cage is less than a year old!! So.. no separating at the minute BUT!! On a positive note.. Now that the "chinchilla" cage is half the size, I was able to carry it up to the bathroom! I unclipped and removed the front and just sat there holding some broccoli at the edge of the cage. Both eventually came over for a munch.. I held out the perch I've been stick training with and said "up up" and Marge hopped straight on MARGE HAD LEFT THE CAGE AT LAST!!!! I rested the perch on the edge of the bath and she got off and wandered up and down looking all round her After 10 mins or so, she was looking back towards her cage so I held out the training perch again, said "up up" and put her back in. She's repeated it every day since and has stayed out a little longer each time. Ok, so she hasn't flown.. or even attempt to! But I'm still over the moon Plus Melman has sat there watching her intently when she's out but I haven't managed to get him onto the stick just yet. Marge has also been really behaving herself since her new adventure and yesterday I caught Melman nipping her tail when she had her back turned! He did it twice before she turned round and squawked at him and he took off. As soon as she turned away he sneaked over and did it again! The little monkey can't be that frightened of her..
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