Well I have had my little budgie for about three weeks and don't feel like I am making much progress with her/him. This is a parent raised baby now about nine weeks old. There are times that I put my hand in the cage and it stays sort of calm then other times flies all over like it is scared to death of me. He/she will eat seed out of my hand, does not seem to like millet and has stepped up very reluctanly. I just seem to feel like we are bonding much even though I go to the cage many times a day and talk to her/him without trying to touch. Maybe I am expecting to much too soon. Any input would be appreciated.

The times it is staying calm could be because it is frozen with fear. Putting your hand in the cage at this stage could be backing up your progress. You need to try to teach him that your hand is something he can trust, so try to be as calm as possible those times when you must reach in. Will he take food from your hand through the bars? I would work on that for the time being, until he knows you better. And talk to him a lot, so he learns your voice. It's a long, slow process, and 3 weeks is just the beginning.

 

Also, there are some good taming articles in the FAQs section. I've had good luck in the past using some of the techniques I learned from them. Be patient and keep trying, you will be happy when you do see progress.

Trying to tame flighty budgies in the past, I have had the cage close to me while I sit and watch tv and just leave my hand resting on a perch close to the bird, but not paying too much attention to the bird, just relaxing and watching tv until he/she gets used to your hand and trusts the hand isnt going to hurt him/her. Over time, I edge my hand closer and usually a baby will "test" the hand, biting or nibbling until after a while they see you as a toy and start climbing on the hand. Lots of patience, calm and quiet are needed to gain trust and it can be very frustrating, but the little steps forward are oh so rewarding until you have a tame pet who completely trusts you

He will actually take food from me inside the cage. I hold my hand flat with seed in it and he will actually walk on to my hand, but as soon as he realizes where he is he goes back to perch. I can't bribe him with millet he does not seem to like it. I had a handfed cockatiel that loved millet. Very different birds I am learning. I have a plastic budgie that chirps in his cage that I notice he is becoming quite friendly with do you think I should remove it? Thanks I will keep trying. I really want him/her to be a pet.

 

The times it is staying calm could be because it is frozen with fear. Putting your hand in the cage at this stage could be backing up your progress. You need to try to teach him that your hand is something he can trust, so try to be as calm as possible those times when you must reach in. Will he take food from your hand through the bars? I would work on that for the time being, until he knows you better. And talk to him a lot, so he learns your voice. It's a long, slow process, and 3 weeks is just the beginning.

 

Also, there are some good taming articles in the FAQs section. I've had good luck in the past using some of the techniques I learned from them. Be patient and keep trying, you will be happy when you do see progress.

I wouldn't give up on the millet, though. Maybe he's just not used to it in that form. Try keeping some in his cage full time, because eventually he will try it, just out of curiosity. Once he tries it, he will love it, and it's easier to hold millet than a handful of seed.

 

Personally, I wouldn't allow him to become bonded with a plastic budgie. It will not respond to him the way a real budgie would, and that will frustrate him. Same thing with any mirrors he might have.

 

I like Sunnie's advice. He needs to learn to take your hand for granted.

I wouldn't give up on the millet, though. Maybe he's just not used to it in that form. Try keeping some in his cage full time, because eventually he will try it, just out of curiosity. Once he tries it, he will love it, and it's easier to hold millet than a handful of seed.

 

Personally, I wouldn't allow him to become bonded with a plastic budgie. It will not respond to him the way a real budgie would, and that will frustrate him. Same thing with any mirrors he might have.

 

I like Sunnie's advice. He needs to learn to take your hand for granted.

I agree with all of what Finny said.

Do not give up on using millet seeds. When l was taming my budgie Jasper. He would not touch it at all. So what l did, l pretended to nibble at the millet seed. While l was in front of his cage. After about a day of doing this in front of him. He decided to nibble at it and now he loves it.

Well another week has gone by and still not progress. He/She seems to want to bond with everything in cage except me. I removed the plastic budgie now he has taken to a toy in the cage. I have tried holding millet in the cage for long periods and he just turns his back to me. I went back to holding see and he will eat that of my hand reluctantly and that's just kind of where we stay. He shakes when he sees my. I have not hurt him or chased him so I guess I don't understand. He very different then the little Cockatiel I had she was very friendly and sweet. Are there some bugie's that won't bond with a human? Thanks!

 

I wouldn't give up on the millet, though. Maybe he's just not used to it in that form. Try keeping some in his cage full time, because eventually he will try it, just out of curiosity. Once he tries it, he will love it, and it's easier to hold millet than a handful of seed.

 

Personally, I wouldn't allow him to become bonded with a plastic budgie. It will not respond to him the way a real budgie would, and that will frustrate him. Same thing with any mirrors he might have.

 

I like Sunnie's advice. He needs to learn to take your hand for granted.

Well I would like to share what progress I have made. It has been about 5 weeks now and I think this budgie is stobborn. He/she will eat out of my hand let me play with toys with it, let me touch it with the little fringes on the toys, but as soon as I get close with just my hand it flies away. Of course all of this is in the cage. Now why does it not seem afraid of my hand and then seems afraid? This budgie is nothing like the Cockatiel I had lol. Input please.

Here is a link to a taming journal that was done by forum member Birdluv. It's kind of long, but I found it really useful when I was trying to hand tame my first 4 budgies. Somewhere in there, Birdluv gives a link to a taming article by Elly. That's a good one to look at, too. After that, you can start reading through all the other topics in the Budgie bonding and Taming section. The main idea you will get from all this, is that it takes lots and lots of time, and lots and lots of patience. Don't be surprised if it takes you several months.

 

I'm sure some budgies are more stubborn than others, they all have unique personalities. But I'm sure that if you are the only flock member he has, and you keep trying to work with him, he will start to make at least a little progress.

 

 

Birdluv's article:Click here

what i dont understand is why are you all trying to tame birds in their cages

the best way is to get it out hold it in your hands cupped and talk to it rub your cheek on its little head

 

 

how old is your bird now ???

 

dont grip it hard but keep it restrained in your hands untill he learns not to bite you (thats if he even does )

when you have gotten him use to you just holding him talking to him at face leave you can move on to the next step

but intill hes happy to sit in your cupped hands with out trying to escape them

then really hes just to scarred of you

hands eye leave talking and rubs

when you can get him use to that

let me know

a bird that wont come needs to be shown your safe

sometimes you need to take the horse to the water so it can drink

what i dont understand is why are you all trying to tame birds in their cages

the best way is to get it out hold it in your hands cupped and talk to it rub your cheek on its little head

 

 

how old is your bird now ???

 

dont grip it hard but keep it restrained in your hands untill he learns not to bite you (thats if he even does )

when you have gotten him use to you just holding him talking to him at face leave you can move on to the next step

but intill hes happy to sit in your cupped hands with out trying to escape them

then really hes just to scarred of you

hands eye leave talking and rubs

when you can get him use to that

let me know

a bird that wont come needs to be shown your safe

sometimes you need to take the horse to the water so it can drink

 

I personally wouldn't use this method, as the bird is also likley to become scared of you. It would see you as a big giant that is restraining it from it's natrual instinct of wanting to fly.

If the bird bit you and you showed it hurt (which most people do) tehn the bird is automatically going to associate biting you as a way of you letting it go, or becoming scared. The reason people (Sunnie's idea is great, I have used it heeps of times) are getting birds to tame in the cage is because that is were the bird feels safest. When something new comes into their home, they will be natrually curious, like a toy.

 

So by introducing your hand slowly, their natrual curiosity will take over, compared to forcing the bird to adapt to your hands. Just because you take a horse to water, you can't force it to drink.

 

This is of course my personal opinion, as we all have different methods of taming.

Edited September 26, 201014 yr by Squeak_Crumble

what i dont understand is why are you all trying to tame birds in their cages

the best way is to get it out hold it in your hands cupped and talk to it rub your cheek on its little head

 

 

how old is your bird now ???

 

dont grip it hard but keep it restrained in your hands untill he learns not to bite you (thats if he even does )

when you have gotten him use to you just holding him talking to him at face leave you can move on to the next step

but intill hes happy to sit in your cupped hands with out trying to escape them

then really hes just to scarred of you

hands eye leave talking and rubs

when you can get him use to that

let me know

a bird that wont come needs to be shown your safe

sometimes you need to take the horse to the water so it can drink

 

I personally wouldn't use this method, as the bird is also likley to become scared of you. It would see you as a big giant that is restraining it from it's natrual instinct of wanting to fly.

If the bird bit you and you showed it hurt (which most people do) tehn the bird is automatically going to associate biting you as a way of you letting it go, or becoming scared. The reason people (Sunnie's idea is great, I have used it heeps of times) are getting birds to tame in the cage is because that is were the bird feels safest. When something new comes into their home, they will be natrually curious, like a toy.

 

So by introducing your hand slowly, their natrual curiosity will take over, compared to forcing the bird to adapt to your hands. Just because you take a horse to water, you can't force it to drink.

 

 

well

we are all different

and what i do is not force involved

i only suggested this as nothing is working

 

also all the birds ive tamed tame within a few weeks to point of coming to you when you enter the room if their out of cage

this does not tell me that the bird is frightened scarred even of (a giant ? ) the whole idea is to bring it to you eye leave so it sees you equally as for it biteing so you let it go

the idea is to let it bite you all it likes showing no emotion to this action its doing

the bird then gives up as it sees you are not bothered by its intention to hurt you

as your at its eye leave you simply tell it no in a calm normal voice

 

 

 

these are ideas

being said

suggestions

 

ive tamed birds for years and never clipped a wing yet

all birds love their new homes and come to their owners who maintain the training i put in place

a cage is not a place to tame a bird

its a place to put it when your not with it

as you said a place of safety

 

 

taming is about

time

percistance

and being boss

 

if you want results you must be in charge

 

as for leading a horse to water but not being able to force it to drink

putting your hand in a birds cage making its safe place seem unsafe to me is not gaining trust

its making the bird nerves of when next is its safety going to be at risk when is the thing going to come back

so it associates you with the hand as your always their when the big thing comes

 

 

i think cage taming unless bird has freedom to go in and out as it pleases

is more un nerving to a bird than a few 10 mint sessions of being lightly handled and talked to everyday

 

 

good luck toni taming you bird

remember

percistance and charge

not to be mistaken with aggression and force

Edited September 26, 201014 yr by Dave_McMinn

I have to agree with everything Generic Blue has suggested.

Okay I have been working with baby budgie for about 9 weeks now. Got him/her when it was about 6-7 weeks old. Have been having a very difficult time bonding and taming. Today I put it in a very small cage took it to a quiet place and it let me hold it pet chico ate and everything. I was feeling quite good, but when I put Chico back in cage he started biting and attacking just like I had not had the calming session. Are some Budgie's not tameable. He seemed to enjoy the cuddling when I had him out. I am confussed. I am thinking I just need to stop because he is just not going to like human contact. Help input please.

Sounds to me like you might have a hen, they can be nasty. Cheers Clearwing

The bird is about 16 weeks old now and I have been taking him out and to another room and it seems to love cuddling in my hand, let me pet it, ate sprouts and then after i put back in cage it was worse struck out to bite. Should I keep taking it out? In the cage it will eat out of my hand play with toys etc. Your input is appreciated. This is a parent raised bird.

 

what i dont understand is why are you all trying to tame birds in their cages

the best way is to get it out hold it in your hands cupped and talk to it rub your cheek on its little head

 

 

how old is your bird now ???

 

dont grip it hard but keep it restrained in your hands untill he learns not to bite you (thats if he even does )

when you have gotten him use to you just holding him talking to him at face leave you can move on to the next step

but intill hes happy to sit in your cupped hands with out trying to escape them

then really hes just to scarred of you

hands eye leave talking and rubs

when you can get him use to that

let me know

a bird that wont come needs to be shown your safe

sometimes you need to take the horse to the water so it can drink

The bird is about 16 weeks old now and I have been taking him out and to another room and it seems to love cuddling in my hand, let me pet it, ate sprouts and then after i put back in cage it was worse struck out to bite. Should I keep taking it out? In the cage it will eat out of my hand play with toys etc. Your input is appreciated. This is a parent raised bird.

 

It sounds like you are making progress. If it will cuddle with you and eat sprouts from your hand in the other room, I would try to do that a lot. So what if he gets mad when you put him back, it sounds like he will get over it. Can you let him have time with his cage door open, so he can gather up the courage to come out on his own, and get used to climbing around on his cage? Just an idea for him to get used to being "free" around you when you are minding your own business. I'd say the more you interact with him, the better.

 

Maybe the progress is so slow, you don't notice it, but it sounds like things have progressed a lot, since you started this thread. Keep up the good work!

 

By the way, do you have any pictures of it? Maybe we can help you figure out if it is a boy or a girl.

 

Oops! I just looked and saw your thread where everyone said she is a girl!

 

I also noticed that you have started a new topic about this bird, the same questions, but when I read it, I thought it was a different person, and I was thinking "wow, that sounds just like the same problem that other girl had!"

Edited October 22, 201014 yr by Finnie

It seems to me, your baby has become territorial about his/her cage. What is happening is that you are making progress away from the cage, in a separate cage or room, then when he/she goes back to "home" it becomes territorial, which is natural and not a bad thing. I have a parrot that cuddles right up to me and will let me do anything with her, as long as she is out of her cage. Inside her cage changing food and water is a battle, so I let her out to do these things. Let your budgie have his territory and remove him completely away from his cage for training. As Finnie said, it sounds like you are making progress, in that the bird is affectionate and attentive when not in its cage.

Thank you. I keep trying. Took her out today again in small cage and that was succesful, but as soon as I put her back she started biting harder then when I took her out. Very resentful bird. It is like she gets mader everytime I take her out. Getting out of the cage is still a battle. Thanks for your input.

 

 

It seems to me, your baby has become territorial about his/her cage. What is happening is that you are making progress away from the cage, in a separate cage or room, then when he/she goes back to "home" it becomes territorial, which is natural and not a bad thing. I have a parrot that cuddles right up to me and will let me do anything with her, as long as she is out of her cage. Inside her cage changing food and water is a battle, so I let her out to do these things. Let your budgie have his territory and remove him completely away from his cage for training. As Finnie said, it sounds like you are making progress, in that the bird is affectionate and attentive when not in its cage.

I would take her away from her "home cage" for training. Spend some quality, happy time with her, then take her back and put her in her cage again where she is happy and leave her alone, dont continue trying to socialise with her when she is in her own space. As I said, my parrot, out of her cage is wonderful and snuggly and we are very bonded, but I brace myself to be bitten if I have to put my hand in her cage to do anything while she is in there. Her cage is hers, outside the cage is neutral play space

The more I take her out and the more I try touching her the meaner she gets. I am obviously doing something very wrong.

i agree with this advice from finnie