First and New pet bird

[EKBJoker]

Hi I just bought my keet about two days ago and Its real quite I mean it has not said nothing so I was wondering how long should it take for me tostart hand taming it and How would I go about that. Also I was wondering how long should I wait to start feeding it Other foods then seeds

[Monica]

You want to start feeding various foods immediately as it's part of a proper diet. If it was weaned onto seeds then it may take some time for the bird to come around, just be sure though that the bird doesn't starve.

You've had the bird for a short time so you may need to give it a couple more days to settle in more and then you might try working with it. There are various ways and you can check out the taming and training forum for some tips!

[smallonion]

Whoa! Slow down there! Your poor little bird just had its whole world turned upside down. It was probably in the store with lots of other birds, now it's alone in a brand new cage in a brand new house. Birds take a little while to get used to new situations - it's not like bringing a puppy home who will just start playing with anyone. It takes a while for birds to settle in and bond with you. It's harder work, but I promise you if you stick with it you will have a loyal friend for life, and your relationship will be that much sweeter because you really worked at it.

When you say it's quiet, do you mean it's not chirping or peeping, either? It's probably just very frightened. it will settle down soon. As for talking, that may take months, if it happens at all. Some do, some don't. Whether or not your bird talks it will still be an awesome pet once you get to know each other better.

What you can do now, as a first step to taming, is sit by the cage and talk to the bird gently. If you run out of things to say, read the newspaper to the bird! Don't stare at him, it's intimidating. Get him used to you. My Humphrey was TERRIFIED when I brought her home. The first thing I did was figure out what her very favorite food is - it turned out to be sunflower seeds. Then I I held one in my fingers and waited....and waited...eventually she snatched it from my fingers, and learned that I give yummy treats! That was the first step in establishing our friendship.

Here are two ways to start taming a budgie (another name for parakeet)

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Training Sessions Method

This method requires patience, and clipped wings make this a much easier process. This taming method includes frequently talking to your budgie, using a soft voice to sooth them. Each training session should last between 10-20 minutes. Slowly put your hand in the cage and keep it in there until the bird has a chance to settle itself down. Resist the urge to grab or move your hand over to the budgie in the first few sessions. Give him some time to come used to the presence of your hand. When he stops freaking out at the sight of your hand in the cage it is time to slowly push your finger towards his belly like a perch. Say "up" when you press your finger against his belly. When you return him to his cage or perch say "down". Continue talking to the budgie when he is on your finger. When it seems like he is comfortable sitting on your finger, you may slowly take him out of the cage on your finger. Do not be over zealous the first time you take him out of the cage. Always keep these training sessions short at first. Eventually the time out of the cage will increase and you will have a trusting budgie friend.

On Their Own Time Method

Don't try to handle them in the first few days in their new home. Give him some time to get used to his new home and environment. Have the cage in a room where you are alot of the time. Spend lots of time with him, talking to him and putting your hands in the cage only to change their water and give them fresh food. Make a point to show them that you are merely doing good things for him and not trying to hurt him. It may take some time before he will decide to come out to you, and you may try to bribe him to come out of his cage by leaving millet or other budgie treats right outside the cage door, or even in your hand right inside or outside the cage. Eventually he will learn to accept you and be your friend.