when should i attempt to put my hand in their cage and get one to sit on my finger,in other words how long should i wait before i try to get one of my parakeets to become finger trained.? thanks!
2007-08-20 06:51:21 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Birds
I'd say, as soon as they start looking comfortable with their new surroundings. make sure when you change their food/clean their cage that your hand moves slowly inside. They will watch it like its going to eat them LOL... parakeets all hove their different levels of trust. Some it may take weeks or longer, some just a few hours or days. Try http://www.lisashea.com/ for lots of help with your new babies... that's the site I hung around a lot when I first got mine (which I no longer have them)
2007-08-20 07:02:26 · answer #1 · answered by witch_cat_meihama 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can finger-tame budgies, even if they are in pairs.
One of the challenges you will face is that, by having 2 birds, they will most often be more interested in each other than you. You can only break this tendency by socializing with them a little each day.
This will also cause a probelm with finger taming. Placing your hand in the home will startle the birds, and when the bird you're NOT working with gets startled and flutters around, this will FURTHER startle the bird you ARE trying to work with!
Can you put them in separate homes until you have them finger tamed? This will be your best bet. If you can't do that, let one out of the home. Close your door first, and either lock it or let everyone else in the house know that you have a free bird in the room so they don't try to enter and let the bird loose or injure it with the opening door. Cover all glass; windows and mirrors; birds can't see glass and they will fly into it and hurt or kill themselves. If you have any other animals, make sure they are out of the room. Turn off any ceiling fan. When you are through, and the bird is not yet tamed, you may recapture the bird with a light weight material. Don't use your hand, as capturing a bird is traumatic for it, and it will see your hand as a threat.
To finger tame a budgie:
Slowly extend your hand to the bird. When it flutters off, pause a moment and move your hand towards the bird again. If the bird panics and shrieks, slowly pull your hand back. Always talk, cluck or whistle to the bird in soothing tones while you are doing this. When your hand gets close enough, it will probably try to bite. Don't yank your hand away, as that will startle the bird. Also, they will "beak" at you. It may not necessarily be trying to bite. Hookbills test the strength of each perch buy testing it with it's beak to make sure it's sturdy enough to support them, and you are offering your finger as a perch! And, hookbills express affection with their beaks, so it may also be giving you a "kiss". When you can make contact with the bird, use your forefinger at about it's stomache, just a little above the legs. Gently push up and back. For a while, the bird will flutter off when you do this, but eventually, it will pick up one little foot and mout itself on your finger. Remember that budgies have very tiny little hearts that is already beating much, much faster than yours. Stress raises heart rate, and prolonged exposure to stress can kill a bird. So, leave your finger taming to about 10 to 15 minutes each day, then leave it alone. After you have tamed the bird, have it perch on your finger a couple times every day, or it will "forget" and start avoiding your hand again.
2007-08-25 21:00:12 · answer #2 · answered by Braindead Brainiac 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First try being around them more. Sit next to them and read a book. Let them know that you wont harm them. Then spend time looking at them. Blink frequently and don't stare. Starring makes them think you are a predator. By blinking, they start gaining trust in you. When you feed them and change their water leave your hand in cage a little longer each time. Talk to them so they get used to your voice and when the trust is formed try touching their chest until your parakeets get finger trained. Don't give up and have fun with them. All of my 15 lovebirds are hand tame. They give me kisses and fly to me when I call them. Birds are great fun. Training can be challenging but so much fun. Hope this helps!
2007-08-20 14:52:37 · answer #3 · answered by David G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try giving him treats through the bars. That may get him more used to your hand. When he takes treats from your hand readily, then open the cage and offer the treat at the door. Do *Not* put your hand into the cage which he feels is his territory!
Eventually he should come to the front of the cage to get his treat. When he is comfortable taking the treat at the door, then give him a treat and immediately present you finger to be stepped up on, while saying "Step Up!" If he is still reluctant, continue with the treats at the door, but try stroking his chest and tummy gently.
When he accepts this easily, then try "Step Up" again. Eventually he will learn "Step Up" which is one of the most basic of training exercises. Then you can proceed to other training.
If you would like to learn more I can suggest a great yahoo group which has a large library on birds and training, plus many helpful bird owners to answer questions. Just E-mail me.
Good Luck!
2007-08-20 16:07:24 · answer #4 · answered by John P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would think that you could start whenever you want to because when I got my parakeet the next day I tried to finger train it and it would listen and after a couple of weeks they got used to it. So I think start whenever you are ready.
2007-08-21 18:04:34 · answer #5 · answered by curioustubby 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if you want a "pet" most of the time, you need to purchase just one bird -- it's nice they have each other for company, however, they will bond with EACH OTHER and probably not you so much.
i have found a site which is listed in my source, below.. lots of information on line about parakeets. if you have any other questions, simply do a search.
good luck!
2007-08-20 14:03:56 · answer #6 · answered by letterstoheather 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i started with my cockatiels after three days you can start any time you are ready gradually start petting them let them nip at your finger. then try getting them to sit on your finger. they will put one foot then jump off and they will keep doing it. soon they will sit on your finger.
2007-08-28 11:32:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go for it as soon as you possibly can(if they are comfortable). Once they get adjusted to their surroundings, you need to start bonding with them, that way they won't be fearful of you. Later on in life.
2007-08-20 14:25:32 · answer #8 · answered by colonelseabass 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is about time you can start to train them
2007-08-20 13:58:44 · answer #9 · answered by bburrows13 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they might not want to go to you because they have each other but good luck anyway
2007-08-26 10:40:10 · answer #10 · answered by jc skywalker 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋