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Attempting to train Billy.

288 Views 2 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  StarlingWings
(I feel really awkward posting this since many others share the name “Bill”, or “Billy”, for their birds.)

Day 1- I think I’ve realized why I’ve had such a difficult time taming by budgie. It was probably because the taming sessions were inconsistent and at some point I decided to leave him alone since I was afraid of losing his trust. Today, I will try doing what I have seen many others suggest (leaving an outstretched palm in the cage and not moving it) in hopes of making him realize I have no intentions to hurt him.
He is comfortable enough to grind his beak around me with no problem at all but is always silent whenever I enter my hand into his cage to change his food or water. He also freaks out whenever I attempt to move my hand too close to him. Anyways, I think I need to bond more with him.

Day 2- Unfortunately, I wasn't able to update for a day due to personal reasons. However, I did follow the same practice as before. Although I am nowhere near this point in the taming process, I was wondering if the environment affects how long it takes to actually make progress? Other than that, my family and I just went shopping today and have bought some vegetables and fruits that I will try offering to him. (he is a picky eater) And by the way, as I'm typing this he is softly chirping. :)
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Taming and Bonding is all about helping your budgies learn to trust you and it takes a great deal of time and patience on your part.
You should never grab your budgies or force them to be touched.
To bond with your budgies, you need to build their trust in you.
They will have to learn over time that you will not hurt them, grab them and try to force them to allow you to hold them.

To build your birds’ trust, sit by their cage and read, talk or sing quietly to them for a period of at least 10-15 minutes, 3 or 4 times day. After about a week, rest your hand on the outside of the cage when you talk to them so they will learn that your hand is safe and will not hurt them.

After a week of resting your hand on the outside of the cage, rest your hand inside the cage when you talk.

Don’t make sudden moves, don’t try to touch them.
Let their get used to the idea that the hand is now in their safe place and not harming them.

After 2 weeks, begin moving your hand slowly toward your bird. If they become agitated, stop moving your hand and just hold very still until they calm down. When they are comfortable with your hand near them, you can offer them a bit of millet or a few seeds.

Always work at your birds’ pace.
Move slowly and talk reassuringly and calmly to their whenever you interact with them.

Bonding means allowing your budgie to choose to be with you.
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Great advice above by FaeryBee and looking forward to more updates. The most important part is recognizing that no budgie progresses the same in their taming/bonding and it's essential to allow him to initiate each progression so that you know he is comfortable with you. It sounds like he's well settled into his home now, but you will have to be very patient for him to get enough trust with your hand in the cage. As mentioned in the post above, don't try to move your hand any closer or anything until he can move around in the cage/play/chirp comfortably and etc. on his own without minding your hand. This could take weeks or longer~

Hope to hear more soon!
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