Hi everyone, im a new member here, i wasnt sure where to post first so i decided to start here with a few questions. Heres a little background on the budgies i have.

 

I recieved my first budgie as a gift from a friend who had new borns, this budgie called MoMo is now about 4 months old and is quite tame, he would come onto my hand whenever i put it in his cage and come out to play. Usually on my shoulder, nibbling on my neck and ears, but once he gets out its such a pain in the butt to put back in.

 

Just yesterday my father was talking to our neighbour and they gave us 3 budgies, im not sure how old they are but they are definitly adults. I belive it is two males and one female. One male looks exactly like MoMo which is green with some yellow, and the other two are pure yellow. My question is can i tame these new birds? They get quite frightened when i put my hand into their cage, also how can i get them to accept MoMo? I introducted MoMo to them yesterday and i dont believe they liked him very much...they were bullying him. Right now i have MoMo away from them after reading about quarantine.

So is it possible to tame these new birds and let them become friendly with MoMo?

THanks

The first thing I'd do and this is probibly too late is to Quarrentine them. Click on my Quarrentine link in my Signature to find out how and why.

 

Also welcome to the forum. I hope you enjoy.

Edited July 20, 200619 yr by daz

Quarantining is absolutely essential! Whilst they are in quarantine, it is an excellent time for you to attempt to tame them. Most budgies should react quite favourably to interaction with you. Try budgietalk.com for hints and tips on taming older budgies, and feel free to post your results on the forum. Others with tame budgies are sure to have ideas for you to try.

 

Now, one thing you need to know about us, is that we loooove pics. Can you post some for us?

Glad you quarantine - as you can see it is a strong view here.

 

Anyways, 3 birds that bonded to 1 by it self needs to be introduced very carefully because there certainly could be a situation of a gang up on the 1 by itself that they don't know.

 

I would personally take these steps.

 

1. Quarantine for 30 days as you are doing

2. When Quarantine is over put the cages side by side but not where they touch so no one can beak bite and/or bit of toes. They will probably squawk at each other, get excited about the new bird (s). Do this for a couple days first before letting them out together.

3. I would not put the new bird in their cage, I would let them out together for a week and watch them interact. Once you see acceptance such as preening each other, playing with very little squabbling then I would consider housing them together but only during the day and when you are there to watch.

 

4. After you have housed them during the day and there are no squabbles keep them together all day but continue to keep them apart at night (this is when there can be bedtime issues (Laughing out loud)). If you find they are okay all day with not much in squabbling, no biting each other then you can do the all night thing with all 4 of them together. This could take a week or a couple weeks.

 

But if you take these careful steps, be patient instead of throwing your lone bird in with 3 already bonded birds it should be okay. But know there may be a chance that they will always have to be separated.

 

Alot members have 8 plus birds together but most most of the birds where all pretty young.

 

I hope that helps. Keep us updated.

 

you can go to www.budgietalk.com for taming tips but I would say trying to tame 3 birds that are not very name is something that will take time.

 

What is your perspective of tame? Remember you are not part of their flock you are an intruder just like MoMo so... You need to learn to become part of their flock by having them learn to trust you.

 

See I think people think they should conform to us but we really need to conform to them because in all reality budgies are wild birds living in our homes. These are pet budgie but they are not domesticated like our dogs or cats so when left to their wild state they will thrive :hap:.

 

So I would work on just gaining trust by walking up to the cage, talking to them, offering millet if they don't take it from your hand outside of the cage push it through and work with them. Keep your hand out of the cage for a while. They all react from each other, so if one is scared they are all scared, if one runs they all run.

 

You can also tame MoMo down to be your teacher to your 3 untamed birds, once they accept her and they see that she is not scared, she doesn't run etc...they will become more trusting of you. But then vs versa can happen where she reacts because of them so you have to make sure you have a strong bond with her.

 

Hope that helps..sorry so longwinded.

thanks alot guys on the replys and feedback, charging up the digi cam so ill snap some shots asap. I def. want to tame the3 new birds, at least finger tamed. Right now MoMo is always excited to play with the new birds, MoMo keeps chirping and makes alot of noise trying to get my attention to put her in haha.

if you can move her to another room where she can't hear them at well that would help you tame her and have her attention plus you would't feel that urge to put them together. I remember Merlin would hear Pretty and his attention was diverted instantly

here are some pictures, this one is of MoMo, can anyone specifically determine MoMo's gender?

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/4373/dscn2455tn6.jpg

 

 

This is the new bird, not sure what to name him hehe, i think hes male

http://img436.imageshack.us/img436/5231/dscn2465ml3.jpg

 

 

 

and last but not least the other two new birdies

http://img436.imageshack.us/img436/3582/dscn2466ds7.jpg

 

 

i believe one is male and one is female.

 

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Edited July 20, 200619 yr by Nerwen

It looks like you have 4 females. I'm not certain about MoMo based on the picture.. but Momo looks more like a female than male to me. The 2 lutinos (yellow ones) are very pretty.

I agree Hurdy, the second pied (bird) and the Lutino on the left look out of condition (for breeding) which can make them look like boys.

I agree Hurdy, the second pied (bird) and the Lutino on the left look out of condition (for breeding) which can make them look like boys.

 

o wow so i have 4 females (Laughing out loud), is this a bad idea? Maybe i should introduce a male to them.

I think 4 females as well. I'm a little concerned about the bird in the second picture. The beak looks a little rough/pitted which could mean it has scaly face mites. The lutinos are very lovely!!! In fact they all are.

I agree Shawna...either scaly face or dinner over its face, but if scaly face another reason for quarantining of course.

I think 4 females as well. I'm a little concerned about the bird in the second picture. The beak looks a little rough/pitted which could mean it has scaly face mites. The lutinos are very lovely!!! In fact they all are.

 

oh no!! what can i do if it is the mites??

I think 4 females as well. I'm a little concerned about the bird in the second picture. The beak looks a little rough/pitted which could mean it has scaly face mites. The lutinos are very lovely!!! In fact they all are.

 

oh no!! what can i do if it is the mites??

There's a spot on treatment for scaly face mites. One drop between the shoulder blades and it usually clears up soon after. Some birds need more than one treatment depending on their size and weight. The spot on stuff is invermectin and available from most vets. Others will tell you baby oil and vet recommended injections but that involves catching and stressing a bird during application each and every day. The spot on treatment is quick, works and good to have on hand for other times. Product bought from pet stores are usually not worth the trouble. Scaly face is contagious and you should be quarantining these birds for at least a month to see what else may crop up re illnesses to pass onto your existing bird.

Edited July 21, 200619 yr by Bubbles

You'd probably be better off with 4 females than with 4 females and 1 male. I don't think that there would be as much breeding / competitive agression that way (the females fighting over the male's attention, etc.) You won't have to worry about them producing fertile eggs.

Momo is beautiful and the other two are pretty as well.

It looks to me like all three of the new ones have scaly face. They need to go to the vet ASAP for treatment, and let the vet know when you call for the appointment that you had them in contact with your original bird for a short time. He may want to treat all 4. Do not under any circumstances play with, touch, change food/water/cage paper or toys in your original birds cage after being around these new ones without washing your hands extremely well.

 

And I also say all of your birds are female. Hens are wonderful and I prefer them over males, myself.

When you have treated them you also need to scrub the cage, perches, toys and dishes well. It's easily eradicated if you follow these things!