Nov 20, 2013 21:58:47 GMT
mbatts
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 12
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Post by mbatts on Nov 20, 2013 22:07:31 GMT
Two years ago, I found a lost budgie outside. After bringing her to the pet store, I was told that she was about 2 years old and female. I named her Frankie. When I found her, she was hungry and tired so she ate with no problem out of my hand. The moment I bought her a cage and toys, she got in there and refused to interact with us whatsoever. She wouldn't come out of her cage either. We tried to get her to step on our finger or play with us unsuccessfully. A week ago, I finally decided to give a real attempt at taming her. I believe her previous owners didn't do it at all since she's scared of anything that comes around the cage, human or not (even shadows!). I just started yesterday taking away her food bowl and feeding her myself from my hand. It takes her a while to come and get the food, but she does it. She even stepped on my hand to eat yesterday. She made progress in the last few days: she's less scared when I approach the cage slowly and chirps back softly when I talk to her. I just wanted to know if I'm going in the right direction.. I love Frankie and she's the cutest thing, but I've never tamed an adult budgie before. Looking forward to reading your comments!!!
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Nov 20, 2013 21:58:47 GMT
mbatts
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 12
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Post by mbatts on Nov 20, 2013 22:11:16 GMT
Two years ago, I found a lost budgie outside. After bringing her to the pet store, I was told that she was about 2 years old and female. I named her Frankie. When I found her, she was hungry and tired so she ate with no problem out of my hand. The moment I bought her a cage and toys, she got in there and refused to interact with us whatsoever. She wouldn't come out of her cage either. We tried to get her to step on our finger or play with us unsuccessfully. A week ago, I finally decided to give a real attempt at taming her (I know I know.. was about time!). I believe her previous owners didn't do it at all since she's scared of anything that comes around the cage, human or not (even shadows!). I just started yesterday taking away her food bowl and feeding her myself from my hand. It takes her a while to come and get the food, but she does it. She even stepped on my hand to eat yesterday. She made progress in the last few days: she's less scared when I approach the cage slowly and chirps back softly when I talk to her. I just wanted to know if I'm going in the right direction.. I love Frankie and she's the cutest thing, but I've never tamed an adult budgie before. Looking forward to reading your comments!!!
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Nov 6, 2013 23:47:08 GMT
tanja
Normal Green
Posts: 400
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Post by tanja on Nov 20, 2013 22:11:31 GMT
For me it sounds like you are doing exactly the right thing. She is showing you that she starts trusting you and your hand, since she also takes food from it! Great job! I think you should continue the way you do. Each day try to talk to her and feed her and soon I believe she will fully trust you! BTW. I would love to see some photos of her!
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Post by ffiscool on Nov 20, 2013 22:19:38 GMT
Wel done as it definitely sounds like she is trusting you more and is interacting. Yes, photos please
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Post by stace on Nov 20, 2013 23:10:28 GMT
It sounds like you're doing all the right things. It's about being patient and persistent and kind. What's that phrase, "softly, softly, catch a monkey?" Older budgies are more set in their ways, but hand feeding is a great way to start. It help them feel okay about your hands.
Talking sweetly to her all the time, no fast movements, and sort of winking are all helpful. When I say winking, it's about making your big front-facing predator eyes look more friendly.
A little bit of taming training regularly through the day is best.
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Nov 20, 2013 21:58:47 GMT
mbatts
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 12
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Post by mbatts on Nov 20, 2013 23:38:47 GMT
How long can a budgie go without eating? Like how many hours? I am asking because, right now I'm on vacation so I don't have to work. I do have to step out for a few hours sometimes though and I've been putting her food bowl back because I'm so scared she'll starve. I'd like to keep it out so she actually is hungry when I get back home to feed her. Also, should I always and only feed her her regular food for now or can i alternate with treats like millet spray? Will try and take a nice picture of her... but she is scare of my phone, of course hihihi! Patience they say
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Post by Hezz on Nov 21, 2013 1:33:23 GMT
Don't leave her without any food at all - I am not happy with that. But using millet as a training tool is a good way to approach it. Don't give her millet hanging in her cage; save it for rewards or feeding from your hand. Most budgies will turn tricks for the chance at some millet. Budgies do tend to stress if there is no food available, you don't want this.
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Nov 20, 2013 21:58:47 GMT
mbatts
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 12
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Post by mbatts on Nov 21, 2013 1:41:13 GMT
When I am home, there is no food in the cage, but i go see her to feed her very regularly. She doesn't seem to mind the lack of food since she chirps and plays with her toys. I think i will introduce the millet once she'd used to my hand feeding her. It's only been day 2 of hand feeding and again today, she has been stepping on my hand in order to get to the food. I am really proud of her.
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Post by BudgiesBuddy on Nov 21, 2013 9:19:55 GMT
I have merged the posts from two "same titled threads".
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Nov 20, 2013 21:58:47 GMT
mbatts
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 12
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Post by mbatts on Nov 21, 2013 12:00:32 GMT
Thank you and sorry for that... I'm new to this forum and obviously didn't know what i was doing ahaha
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Post by mizloco on Nov 21, 2013 21:06:35 GMT
Hello and welcome. They should have food in their cage at all times. They tend to eat little and often so need to access it when they want it. Would love to see Frankie.
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Nov 20, 2013 21:58:47 GMT
mbatts
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 12
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Post by mbatts on Nov 22, 2013 0:13:53 GMT
Frankie update: This morning Frankie climbed on my fingers and ate in my hand with very little hesitation. I had to leave her most of the day though. I tried feeding her when I got back but I guess she wasn't hungry as she didn't even come near my hand. I also started reading to her. I sit by the cage and read for 20 minutes from my favorite book. She was chirping and playing this morning but tonight, she just stayed on her perch, hid her little leg in her puffed up feathers and closed her eyes. I hope she doesn't hate my voice ahahah! I am trying to upload some pics: they were both taken two years ago. The first one was when she had her wings clipped.. that day was one of the rare days she'd let us take her out of her cage. The second is just her chilling on her cage. I love her my little girl <3 tinypic.com/r/nxvpq9/5tinypic.com/r/23syic2/5
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Post by BudgiesBuddy on Nov 22, 2013 10:56:54 GMT
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Post by BudgiesBuddy on Nov 22, 2013 10:57:07 GMT
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Post by BudgiesBuddy on Nov 22, 2013 10:59:33 GMT
She is very beautiful
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