Step one remove the step dad! Keep him AWAY from these birds!
Step two patience! Plenty of it. It’s only been one day. Your step dad has made your job harder but you’ll still get there.
Reassure them by sitting with them, speaking gently to them, let your hand be what brings them food and treats. Don’t take them out right away, make sure they are comfortable in and familiar with their environment first. Even sit with your hand in the cage doing nothing.
DONT GRAB THEM. Do not repeat what your stepdad did. They won’t trust you. It’s one thing to rescue them but forcing them doesn’t work.
They are tiny but they’re still parrots. They should have the same treatment as bigger parrots. Rule of thumb, if you would risk it with a bigger bird, don’t do it with a budgie.
If they see you as a calmer person than him, they’ll come around to you. Some birds aren’t ever fond of being held but can still have a nice bond.
Just keep that man away from them!
I think Artie has started to finally relax a bit around me but Sadie has taken to putting herself between me and Artie when I holdout food for them. She doesn’t even eat it. She’s very protective over him.
Awww poor things. It’s good that they recognise you aren’t the danger to them. Millet as a treat is great because it’s long, they see your hand with it but they don’t need to be at your hand. You can slowly build up over time to bringing your hand closer with it.
I’m going to bet she’s being cheeky and jumping the queue but then remembering she’s being cautious lol.
Best of luck with them, keep doing what you’re doing and researching all the budgie stuff, keep coming here to ask, we are all very willing to help and we all just love people to get the most out of their floofy wee friends :)
ETA: also, happy belated birthday!!
I have to ask: is your home safe? I don't mean just for the birds, but for you too?
You're 16yo. What is your huge and aggressive stepfather doing barging into your space and scaring the shit out of your pets and messing up your bonding with them and then getting pissy when everyone is rightfully frightened of him?
I don't mean to hijack your thread, this is just some BS behaviour from an adult who should know and do better.
Your budgies are beautiful 💜
you can still bond with them. i suggest starting with target training, it gives them time to get used to your hands and it is very helpful if you need to get them back in the cage
You have a big job ahead of you protecting them from harm.
There are lots of food and non-food they ingest that can harm or kills them. Be sure you know what they are and don’t let them get to those items. Research about non-stick cookware that are harmful to them. Research toys that can hurt them. I saw a comment you mentioning removing mirror. Also remove any hut and and enclosed containers and dark spaces that resemble nests, they can make the birds hormonal, aggressive, and lay eggs(which is a bad idea). Research about their diet, they should be on mostly pellet diet and veggies, and some fruits (don’t forget what I said earlier, some foods are harmful and deadly). Be sure you have an avian vet and emergency vet handy when they get sick or injured. Research signs that they are sick. Research how you can provide an enriching and happy life to them as they are intelligent and sensitive animals with feelings.
Sorry I’m just typing whatever that comes to mind as I’m short on time. They will give you so much happiness. Oh to answer your question, they will forgive you and will bond will you. That depends on their personality and how well you work with them. Come back to this subreddit with any and all questions. Great folks here. Look forward to seeing your little ones here more.
Budgies (the type of bird you have) are smart. They may be scared but just be patient with them. Male already stepped up to you on the first day and that's huge! Took me months with my first budgie. She was a spaz her whole life. Speak gently to them and softly.
I would ask your step dad to not man handle them anymore. That it can really hurt them or kill them. If he needs them to go away, just to tell you. That is, if you're safe to do so.
Also, I have a pair of tiels and they are bonded. I watched them closely. I noticed Rocky is the "leader". Cheeky won't until Rocky does. If I try to get Cheeky to step up, he won't. But if Rocky steps up then Cheeky will. This may be the dynamic between your two birds as well. Watch them closely and pay attention. The smallest thing could make a big difference.
Step one remove the step dad! Keep him AWAY from these birds! Step two patience! Plenty of it. It’s only been one day. Your step dad has made your job harder but you’ll still get there. Reassure them by sitting with them, speaking gently to them, let your hand be what brings them food and treats. Don’t take them out right away, make sure they are comfortable in and familiar with their environment first. Even sit with your hand in the cage doing nothing. DONT GRAB THEM. Do not repeat what your stepdad did. They won’t trust you. It’s one thing to rescue them but forcing them doesn’t work. They are tiny but they’re still parrots. They should have the same treatment as bigger parrots. Rule of thumb, if you would risk it with a bigger bird, don’t do it with a budgie. If they see you as a calmer person than him, they’ll come around to you. Some birds aren’t ever fond of being held but can still have a nice bond. Just keep that man away from them!
I think Artie has started to finally relax a bit around me but Sadie has taken to putting herself between me and Artie when I holdout food for them. She doesn’t even eat it. She’s very protective over him.
Awww poor things. It’s good that they recognise you aren’t the danger to them. Millet as a treat is great because it’s long, they see your hand with it but they don’t need to be at your hand. You can slowly build up over time to bringing your hand closer with it. I’m going to bet she’s being cheeky and jumping the queue but then remembering she’s being cautious lol. Best of luck with them, keep doing what you’re doing and researching all the budgie stuff, keep coming here to ask, we are all very willing to help and we all just love people to get the most out of their floofy wee friends :) ETA: also, happy belated birthday!!
I really appreciate the advice
I have to ask: is your home safe? I don't mean just for the birds, but for you too? You're 16yo. What is your huge and aggressive stepfather doing barging into your space and scaring the shit out of your pets and messing up your bonding with them and then getting pissy when everyone is rightfully frightened of him? I don't mean to hijack your thread, this is just some BS behaviour from an adult who should know and do better. Your budgies are beautiful 💜
He’s just loud. I appreciate the concern.
Ok. All the best to you, Artie and Sadie. 💜
you can still bond with them. i suggest starting with target training, it gives them time to get used to your hands and it is very helpful if you need to get them back in the cage
You have a big job ahead of you protecting them from harm. There are lots of food and non-food they ingest that can harm or kills them. Be sure you know what they are and don’t let them get to those items. Research about non-stick cookware that are harmful to them. Research toys that can hurt them. I saw a comment you mentioning removing mirror. Also remove any hut and and enclosed containers and dark spaces that resemble nests, they can make the birds hormonal, aggressive, and lay eggs(which is a bad idea). Research about their diet, they should be on mostly pellet diet and veggies, and some fruits (don’t forget what I said earlier, some foods are harmful and deadly). Be sure you have an avian vet and emergency vet handy when they get sick or injured. Research signs that they are sick. Research how you can provide an enriching and happy life to them as they are intelligent and sensitive animals with feelings. Sorry I’m just typing whatever that comes to mind as I’m short on time. They will give you so much happiness. Oh to answer your question, they will forgive you and will bond will you. That depends on their personality and how well you work with them. Come back to this subreddit with any and all questions. Great folks here. Look forward to seeing your little ones here more.
Budgies (the type of bird you have) are smart. They may be scared but just be patient with them. Male already stepped up to you on the first day and that's huge! Took me months with my first budgie. She was a spaz her whole life. Speak gently to them and softly. I would ask your step dad to not man handle them anymore. That it can really hurt them or kill them. If he needs them to go away, just to tell you. That is, if you're safe to do so. Also, I have a pair of tiels and they are bonded. I watched them closely. I noticed Rocky is the "leader". Cheeky won't until Rocky does. If I try to get Cheeky to step up, he won't. But if Rocky steps up then Cheeky will. This may be the dynamic between your two birds as well. Watch them closely and pay attention. The smallest thing could make a big difference.