Anyone know the best way to tame two budgies??

[j.j.]

Before I had a hamster I had parakeets for about 10 years. A couple I got from a breeder and others from a pet store. The way I tamed mine was I kept them in one room. When I first got them I would clip their wings to force them to become dependent upon me and to establish a relationship with me. I would take each parakeet out of the room the cage was kept in separately and go into the bathroom and sit on the floor. There I would just hold them for a period of time and stroke and pet them. A piece of advice I got from one breeder was to hold the parakeet close to my heart so it could hear/feel it beating because they found it soothing. I would also give them a treat and let them nip at my fingers and not jerk away. The first couple of times were a bit painful but after they were just little "love" nips with no pain or skin breakage.
I would also practice with them having them get used to jumping on my finger to go up. Since they couldn’t fly they were dependent upon me to get off the floor. I sat on the floor because at first they might not realize they can't fly. This way when they go to try they will not hurt themselves because they are close to the floor and I was also there to catch them. I also would teach mine to climb up my fingers like a staircase by alternating an index finger from each hand in front. I would place the index finger I wanted my bird to climb onto under its feet to single to move up.
Usually I would only clip the wings once and let them grow back because by then they were either tamed or more manageable. I did have one bird that took longer. I would periodically leave the cage door open to allow the birds to climb on and around the cage or to fly around the room. I would put toys on top of the cage to create another play space
Just a reminder: If you do let them fly around make sure all doors and windows are shut. Make sure there are no ceiling fans on. Also make sure the blinds or curtains are closed. They cannot tell a window is there and will fly right into and hurt themself. Also if you are going to clip their wings be very careful that you don’t do too much to cause them to bleed out. They are special powders you can purchase to have on hand to apply that will stop it immediately. The pet shop, breeder or vet can teach you how to correctly do it.

Good luck!!!

[Luckylucy]

Thanks for the info j.j.
I'm determined to spend loads of time on them and tame them. It will be done!!!

[j.j.]

Yw Lucy. Whether you decide to clip the wings or not, definately take the bird to small room where the cage is not. If the cage is there and the room is large the bird will look to fly away or to lfy to the cage.

And also as the others suggested...look at budgie forums and blogs and books like you do here.

[TraceyH]

Originally Posted by Luckylucy

Hi TraceyH, You're budgie is lovely! (: Looks exactly like my Pepsi
My budgies do have a huge cage at the moment, I took the two bases from a 3 tier degu cage and made it into a parrot sized budgie cage. Tango and Pepsi can already do kissing noises

Oh the cage sounds good. If you get stuck for a odd sized perch those rope perches are good, they twist into different shapes. I've one pictured here in my cockatiel cage. I can't wait to see a picture of your budgies when you get around to it.

[Luckylucy]

Hi TraceyH, that's great! I'll have a look around the net for some rope for them,

Here's a wee pic of my budgies and their cage

[sully]

Ive had budgies in my life on and off for over 50 years and i used to breed budgies. I have a young one that i got a week ago, i find it easier if their wings are clipped.

[TraceyH]

Originally Posted by Luckylucy

Hi TraceyH, that's great! I'll have a look around the net for some rope for them,

Here's a wee pic of my budgies and their cage

How cute and both our lutinos could be twins. They'll soon be flying aroiund the room enjoying themselves and hopping on your finger.

[j.j.]

So cute Lucy. Almost makes me want to get a pair again.