Elysha

Yeah.....suspected as much......when they're outside of the cage, they'll still come running to me, but inside the cage is somehow "their world" where I don't quite belong. It's interesting, because when I put my hand in they don't really like it (they're fine with it, but not always thrilled), and outside they don't shy away at all. Is it any option at all to seperate them for a while? Or is it pointless because once they're together again they'll be there for each other just like right from the start? I don't want to separate them permanently because then they might get lonely, and I understand that they're better off together with their own kind, but I love them so much, and would really like to have them at least like me....and to do this, would separating them for a while help any?

Well, Cookie and Piggy are doing well, getting more and more curious of the food on the ground (thankfully)! They don't need to be fed as often anymore. Just wondering whether I should have a vet check them eventually? I'm also a little puzzled as to why they've distanced themselves a little from me - there were two days where I wasn't around as much, and somehow they're not quite as loving as they used to be. They take very good care of each other, and are still very nice to me but they will scamper off now if I try to catch them for feeding. They're generally not quite as willing to let me 'cuddle' them. Is it because there's two of them, and they will instinctively stick to their own kind? I'm tryng to think whether I did something to gain their distrust.....will this get to be more so that they'll eventually not care about me at all? No matter what, I make sure that I take the time everyday to play with them and give plenty of attention to each individually. They're growing up, I guess...

When I first saw the perches, I also though they were with sandpaper, and groaned to think that some people actually use the stuff , but it just has a slightly rubbery 'high-tech' surface. Didn't much like them, but I thought it was better than nothing for the time being. Indeed, they are now almost 4 weeks old Seeing as I'm a fairly logical person, I should be able to find something good for my babies. Thanks for the offer to help melbournebudgies! - I'll post what I come up with. Honestly, I would prefer being in lovely Australia, where you could give some advice, but I'm stuck here...

okay, the perch will be removed immediately! I would also never use sandpaper!!! That is horrid stuff!! However, I have yet to figure out what to do about a branch - I'll probably only be able to get that on Monday. Well, we'll see. It's pouring outside, and I'm not sure where there's a park nearby. Now that I think about it, it's very logical that they shouldn't be up high quite yet. Cookie has started to fly a bit though(!) - nothing stunning of course. He just figured out that, with more space, it's easier to get around by flying to the planned destination.

That's what I suspect as well (regarding the last two posts), and thanks for the info regarding their mutations! I find it fascinating that despite them being siblings, and do have similarities, they are quite different. The normal is the strong blue one right? And piggy, the possible hen is a violet color, though it's also bluish....I find she's particularly pretty. I have a couple of new pictures! Despite having to go the hospital today due to a sever bladder infection (ugh....), I was determined to get them that cage, so that they can move around a bit more, and who tests out wall climbing first??? Piggy of course!! No I didn't forced her to go that high.....that girl is one adventurous budgie! Thankfully, she usually gets adventurous about something new once, and then never again, so I'm not worried. And down again...a bit unconventional, but it worked! (I was ready to catch her) A bit like a cat in a tree! Up is easy..... And where is this? As close to me as possible . And look at who's getting more confident at perching - he was not unhappy up there at all. Yes, there's a ladder missing....I remembered almost everything amidst the gut wrenching pain, but they're clever, and manage just fine. I'll get in pronto on monday. So Enjoy!

Hey, color-wise they look so similar to mine! Well, in that case, piggy is quite a talent because she's got the perching bit down perfect.... I'm getting them a cage today where I'll set up a nest on the bottem because they have figured out any and every way of getting out of their current nest box.

Thank you for your thoughts - since I've never raised little ones, I just didn't want something like that to turn out to be a problem where I think "why didn't I ask earlier". It really does seem like he just can't maintain his balance yet. Always keep learning....

Oh wise members of the forum, I believe I have something that I really should inquire about. It's Cookies non-ability to perch. Is this the splayed feet I've heard of? He's been like that since I got him, and since piggy also walked around crouched a bit, I thought nothing of it. She's grown out of it, but he just isn't. Please see the pictures for an acurate depiction. I'm concerned something is hurting him! Especially since he really likes to chomp very thoroughly....generally sweet and gentle natured, if I try to seriously hold him, he has a thorough bite to compare to that of a parrot. Is he missing some nutrient? It seems he just can't right himself up, and I never noticed it while he was just paddling around - I always made sure it was nice and soft....

Thank you so much for the advice! Generally now that they consider me their mother more an more, they already come running to the "source of food" - the syringe. There's millet lying in their 'nest' and curiosity is getting to them - I've caught both of them nibbling at it. Well, I hope everything continues to go so well! Thank you all for your support And I just had to say what a beautiful budgie you have as an avatar libby - stunning combination of colors!!

As long as neither starts flying around I'll be happy to keep them in their little nest!No...they're not green - more brownish, and basically a little pile of mush. Occasionally a little more solid, and sometimes less so. Well, it'll turn out soon enough! Theonly reason why I differentiate is because cookie's is blue tinted, and piggy's pink, but I'm aware that it doesn't necessarily mean anything. I'll make sure that I keep everyone updated!

Thank you all so much for your support! The good news is a tremendous improvement yesterday evening: Piggy started to come to me, as I had mentioned, and now she almost refuses to stay in her box if I'm around. I even tested it out by placing her on the floor at one end of the room, and myself at the other - yes, she came running! As you can see in the picture, she'll do breakneck feats just to get a little closer, and is happiest just sitting in my lap while I work at the computer. And now even Cookie has started to show some affection by playing with me and also considering coming towards me (in his own way :hap: ....). Piggy was with me and he just started looking more and more frustrated until he got the courage to try to come closer. So one of my concerns is over. This morning cookie started eating the millet....I didn't dare to move in case I would distract him! Piggy is good with spoon feeding though cookie couldn't care less. I just haven't been able to convince him to eat from a spoon...we'll work on it! :hap: And regarding warmth, I keep the room temperature fairly warm (25+) and bought an infrared lamp for warmth - the food is also always fresh made and body temperature (like for a human baby...) One minor concern I have is that they both have a bit of diarrhea, and I just can't figure out what is causing it. On a different post I read something about "living" yoghurt which I think I could acquire. I make sure they get enough fluids, and they're still perfectly content, but I wish I could figure out the cause. I've also tried mixing in some grain products tinking that they may not be getting enough of that as they are seed eaters. I use a high quality hand-rearing mix but it's just not getting any better. Will this change when they start eating Millet, etc? Well, in any case, here are the promised pictures: The first two are Piggy and her stunts (is it really a she?). She'll be quite an interesting color mix when all of her feathers grow in. And the last picture is of Cookie who was a little surprised about the camera. Will he(?) start flying soon?

I'm completely new here and have one or two question regarding Cookie and Piggy, the budgie's I'm hand raising. I got them when they were 16 days old, and they are now 23 days old. One major question is about the actual feeding. They don't like it at all.....particularly not Cookie! I opted for using a syringe, which is a great help to keep them from going hungry. From day one they protested, and now they're getting clever, though once the syringe is in, they calm down and eat nicely. It's nothing brutal(!), and I make sure that I don't hurt them, but they just don't appreciate being held (no, they don't panic, they just resist a bit). I just don't want them to hate me for it :mellow: ....they're perfectly sweet otherwise (falling asleep in my hand, playing with me, etc.). Though Cookie is a bit of a grouch. Now that's the second question. Piggy is a happy little budgie, will play around wildly, is very curious, and noisy (her noises strongly resemble a pig's squealing, hence the name, but we love her for it.... :hap: ). Cookie was rather quiet from the start - he (for now a he), prefers being cuddled, loves preening himself, and is generally quieter. Is this reason for concern?? I've had a budgie, and know a fair bit about them, which is why I can say that he's not sick. He's not losing weight, nor feathers, and he's not actually sulking, just a bit quiet. Neither have much of an attchment to me yet though piggy is being absolutely adorable in the box next to me just now - climbing up as close as possible to me and craning her neck up for attention.....now that's a happy budgie, and the first time she's actually come to me!! Well, other than that, I hope that they're chomping abilities will calm down eventually - they've figured out how to bite nice and firmly. On occasion Piggy can hold onto the skin of my hand so tightly that I can lift her up a bit. I don't really mind, and they don't seem to mean it badly, but will they stomp or should I discourage it? Second last question: weaning......how soon do I have to tackle that? They've been a full time job up to know, and so far all attempts to get them interested in seeds has failed. Last question: Cookie almost looks like an adult budgie - when should I put him into a cage? Piggy is a few days behind even though they're siblings. Ah yes, for informational puposes, I'm hand rasing them because they're parents didn't want them, I happened to stumble across the notice in the internet and was crazy enough to dare to try to raise them. So far a great success, other than those few questions. I would really appreciate any help!! :hap: