I am curious whether anyone has ever used both training methods in conjunction with each other. In the past we have always trained our budgies (my father did) using the tunnelling method. I have a new little boy (I think?? whom I will post pics of later for your determinations - I would like to know his genetic make-up and sex). Anyway I am wondering, if you spend days building trust (He has learned the 'up' command after only 2 days and is quite happy to just sit there until I pop him back on his perch!) then put your hand in and capture him will this destroy the trust you have just spent all that time building up? Alternatively, if I persevere and get him out of the cage with the finger method. Is it possible to do some tunnelling in addition and will this make him more 'cuddly'. I only ask because I want a VERY close friend, a birdie who loves to spend most of his 'out of cage' time with me. Thanks for this resource, this is the first time I have had to post, usually I find my (very accurate and helpful) answers in the forums etc. Thanks again, Mandi (and yummy - he is called yummy because budgerigar is aboriginal for 'good to eat')

Taming Your Budgies this is how I tamed my budgies. I wrote up the article because so many people asked about taming.

 

As for the tunneling method I can not speak on how effective it is because I never used this method. It is debatable whether it should be used or not. I have a friend that used the tunnelling method and it worked well for her. I am sure others have here and they can talk about it.

 

In the article there is a link how other's tamed their budgies so you may want to read about that too.

 

Welcome to our forums and we looks forward to seeing pics of your flock.

Hi Mandy, welcome to the BBC forum. I use the tunneling method a lot and find that it is very successful. Both of my budgies that come out on my finger enjoy tunneling. It is also a very good method to use if you have a lot of birds. Everyone is different. I have found that most budgies, even if they are not tame, calm quickly using the tunelling method.

 

I would suggest though, that if you have had such quick success in teaching Yummy to step up that you should continue with this until you are able to get him to step up and bring him out of the cage. Once he is at that stage you could use tunneling more as a game as this will make him even more comfortable with your hands.

 

 

Feathers.

Awesome feedback Elly and Feathers - thanks a bunch! I will keep the forum updated on this thread with more on yummys progress and some pics. I look forward to being part of this lovely budgie loving community. hugs from Mandi and Yummy

excellent bribery is wonderful don't forget to use it (millet sprays are excellent)

Oh yes, he loves grass seeds... I try where possible to go a la natural when possible. Last night I made him a beautiful swing that he loves made from eucalypt twigs. Im going to attempt load some pics of him. Let me know what you think and what is his genetic make up? I am falling in love with him so much. An update on the training. I softly 'cradled' him last night after our in cage training and he calmed very quickly. We sat in the bathroom for around 10 minutes (I kept it brief for a first time out) and he quite happily sat on my finger and even let me stroke his head and nuzzle him with my nose!! He didnt seem too keen to go back in so I might try the same thing tonight.

 

Do you cover your bird at night? I understand this can be a personal thing.

 

 

Hmmm, I will load pics when I work out how to do it. Obviously I need to load them off my PC to the web somewhere.. I will go look at FAQ for that - cheers

YAY! I did it. So this is my lovely little Yumi (I changed the spelling) Any ideas on his genetic make-up. I have posted him in the pics section also in case you didnt catch him there...

 

Pretty boy!

 

http://s211.photobucket.com/albums/bb10/ozartist1808/

Nerwen answered his genetic make-up where you posted

Yes birds should be covered they need at least 10-12 hours of good nighttime sleep and it helps with shadows which can cause night frights and also keeps drafts off of them when they are sleeping. Most birds when they are covered will squawk at night until you cover them. Mine do.

Oh he's absolutely beautiful! No wonder you are falling in love with him!

 

I am hunting around for a new budgie, looking for one not long hatched that may need a bit of hand rearing, Your pics have made me want to find one all the sooner!