| |
| Question about Pets:How to take my parakeets out? |
The reason the green one is biting is because they are a bonded pair, and he is protecting the other one since he is the dominate one. Normally when you have more than one bird in a single cage, they will bond and lose their desire for human contact. If the yellow one will allow you to pet her, it is more likely she will still be willing to interact with you. The main key to working with either of them is to be patient with them. Sit and talk to them everyday and let them know you as part of their lives. Try to pet them will in the cage, with your hand inside the cage, if possible. I know the green one may bite, and Budgie bites can hurt more than a bite from a larger bird sometimes. But this is the best way to get them used to you being part of their flock. I do not suggest you use gloves, since this will just make them more afraid of you. The one good thing about a Budgie bite is that while they can really hurt, they aren't going to do any real damage to your hand.
Try to spend at least 10 minutes a day petting one or both, if possible, talking to them and just being near them. Keep it at the same time each day, so they will come to expect you in time. After you feel you have gained some of their trust and they are alright with your being in their space, put your index finger just below the chest and just above the feet of the one that trusts you the most and tell him/her to "step up", Push toward it just a little to try and get it a little off balance, and it should step onto your finger. When it does say "step up" again, and most likely it will hop off. Keep your hand in the cage for a few seconds and then slowly bring it out of the cage. Keep your movements slow at all times, and don't try and pet it while it is on your finger. When you are successful in bringing it out of the cage, put it back in the cage, praise him/her for stepping up and end this session with a victory.
Keep doing this everyday, and you will eventually be able to keep him/her out for longer periods of time. It will just take persistence and patience on your part, but it is possible. Just make sure no one teases the birds, and that you keep your movements slow when you are around the cage. Birds feel threatened by fast movements. Finally, keep in mind that all birds think for themselves. They will decide if they want to cooperate or not, and you can't force them to do anything they don't want to do. It isn't the same as training a dog to sit or beg. Good luck and I look forward to hearing if you are able to get them to work with you.
How do you tell the sex of a cockatiel? (previous)
Sun Conure? (next) |
|
