This is about ME gaining confidence ... not the bird!

 

I have had Charley for 5 weeks. He couldnt fly initially, I thought it was French Moult but I now think the breeder had clipped his wings and tail as they are now growing nicely. He is very tame when in the cage. I open the front right up and put both my hands in, he will eat from my hand and hop onto it.. he will also go from finger to finger as I put them in front of him, not without a rather gentle nibble though but I dont think there is any mallice in it, almost like he's just showing me who's boss (but I've got news for you Charley!!).

 

Sometimes he flies onto my chest as I stand in front of the open cage, he then just sits there, not at all afraid. If I am away from the cage and call his name he sits up against the front or runs back and forth on the bottom, peering out over the top of the plastic "skirt". If i put my face up near the cage he will nibble gently at my nose, and gets that "i love you" look that I'm sure you all know.

 

My question? I am nervous about letting him out of the actual cage at this stage. How do I know when he is ready and wont hurt himself flying around the room? I know to close curtains, shut doors, etc etc but am still afraid firstly that he will hurt himself hitting a wall or something, secondly that I wont be able to catch him. How do you know when he is ready? How do I know when I AM ready may be more to the point. SHould I wait longer? I dont want to ruin his tameness and confidence in me by letting him out too soon, perhaps getting hurt and then withdrawing. I know he loves me (he shows it) but at this stage only when he's in the cage.

 

He's totally content IN the cage, plays constantly with his toys (sometimes I have to force him to settle down for the night by covering the cage and turning off the light or he would play all night!). He does sometimes hang on to the perch and flap his wings like CRAZY!! does this mean he wants out or is it just his way of exercising... much like we get on a treadmill perhaps... go like crazy and getting nowhere!! ???

 

WOuld really appreciate some advice!!!

Edited October 7, 200717 yr by thk

Hi thk,

 

I think Charley would love a fly around the room. If he hops onto your hand and fingers willingly and you are able to remove him from the cage on your hand, then he is ready. He may bumb into a wall or two, but the more he gets to fly the better and more confident he will become. They usually fly rather haphazardly the first couple of times, but over the next few days they practice short distances and landing where they want and they do eventually gain control.

 

Try a small room first, so that you are able to catch him if he will not step up on command. He will enjoy this out of cage time and will learn that you are the boss as long as you always get him to step up to take him out of the cage.

 

There is a fantastic article outlining the steps required in taming on our FAQ section, click here: Taming your Budgie

 

 

Feathers

Edited October 7, 200717 yr by Feathers

Most birds will take off and bump into the walls even and that is good you are closing the curtains. As Aly said start with a small room alot of people use bathrooms (with the toilet lid down of course) because it is small.

Most birds will take off and bump into the walls even and that is good you are closing the curtains. As Aly said start with a small room alot of people use bathrooms (with the toilet lid down of course) because it is small.

 

Have checked out the recommended site.. find it very useful. I will try it when I come back from my break, I am away for 4 days (thurs to Monday.. and of course .. someone will be looking after them while I'm away..) so might wait till I'm back. I will then spend a fair bit of time with him for a few days.. in case he needs to adjust to me being here again... then on the weekend will take him out .. in the ensuite (with the toilet seat down!!.. and the sink plugged!!!). I dont have a bathroom in the flat however I have an ensuite which hopefully wont be TOO small!! I think it will be okay for a first time though.

 

Will see how I go!!!! Thanks for your advice!!

Edited October 8, 200717 yr by thk

Most birds will take off and bump into the walls even and that is good you are closing the curtains. As Aly said start with a small room alot of people use bathrooms (with the toilet lid down of course) because it is small.

 

Have checked out the recommended site.. find it very useful. I will try it when I come back from my break, I am away for 4 days (thurs to Monday.. and of course .. someone will be looking after them while I'm away..) so might wait till I'm back. I will then spend a fair bit of time with him for a few days.. in case he needs to adjust to me being here again... then on the weekend will take him out .. in the ensuite (with the toilet seat down!!.. and the sink plugged!!!). I dont have a bathroom in the flat however I an ensuite which hopefully wont be TOO small!! I think it will be okay for a first time though.

 

Will see how I go!!!! Thanks for your advice!!

Ensuite will be fine. You may want to cover the mirror ....they have a tendency to fly into windows and mirrors

Most birds will take off and bump into the walls even and that is good you are closing the curtains. As Aly said start with a small room alot of people use bathrooms (with the toilet lid down of course) because it is small.

 

Have checked out the recommended site.. find it very useful. I will try it when I come back from my break, I am away for 4 days (thurs to Monday.. and of course .. someone will be looking after them while I'm away..) so might wait till I'm back. I will then spend a fair bit of time with him for a few days.. in case he needs to adjust to me being here again... then on the weekend will take him out .. in the ensuite (with the toilet seat down!!.. and the sink plugged!!!). I dont have a bathroom in the flat however I an ensuite which hopefully wont be TOO small!! I think it will be okay for a first time though.

 

Will see how I go!!!! Thanks for your advice!!

Ensuite will be fine. You may want to cover the mirror ....they have a tendency to fly into windows and mirrors

 

Now that's something I would not have thought of!! the mirror....and of course thats the first place he would hit!! THanks.. will hang a towel over it. luckily the window is very small so might put something in front of that as well (doesnt have a curtain so another towel might be the go). I just know he will love the bit of freedom and I'm even looking forward to it now!

Have checked out the recommended site.. find it very useful.

 

Will see how I go!!!! Thanks for your advice!!

 

The information is part of our own site and was compiled by Elly from her own and other members experience. Have a look around the FAQ section (press on Budgie FAQs at the top of the page), there is a LOT of great information on all aspects of keeping budgies.

 

 

Feathers.