Harvey's Training

[BabyRain5]

Yesterday I picked up a six month old male from a local breeder. He's yellow with a bit of black on his back wings. His cere is pink as of now. Last night I put him in the cage which was all set up and ready with food and water and everything and covered the cage with a sheet and left the room dark and quiet. This morning I changed over his food and water and he didn't seem too weary of my hand which is great news. I left the radio on while I was at work for both budgies (Rain is in her mansion in my room and poor Harvey is in his quarantine cage in the office room). Before I left I could hear them chirping to each other, I was sitting with Rain and she was quite confused when she heard Harvey chirping :). I got home and fed them egg mixed with noodles and carrots... he seemed to love it just like Rain. I read to him my book for about 20 minutes with my hand resting just inside the door... he relaxed right away and was preening for a bit. He even started chirping while I was reading... then we put on some John Mayer and sang together for a bit and then I covered him with the sheet again :). I hope that since I bought him from a breeder that he will be less afraid of me and my hands because he's been handled. Cross your fingers!

[BabyRain5]

Today I left the radio on while I was at work again and I could hear Harvey chirping away to it :) He seems to be getting more comfortable and relaxed here. I didn't realize males have such a distinct chirp from female budgies... it's so neat to hear how different they are... and his doesn't hurt my ears as much as Rain's screeching when I come home :cool:. I put red pepper, spinach leaves, warmed up hard boiled egg with the shell and warmed pasta into the blender and added shredded carrot on top... Harvey LOVED it.. he had it ALL over his face and I don't even have to sprinkle seed on his as he loves veggies :) such a good budgie compared to miss stubborn Rain :). Then I moved his cage into the living room and we watched tv together, he chirped along to some of the commercial songs. I saw that a few things needed to be changed around in his cage for his convenience and I did so slowly and carefully while talking to him calmly and he didn't seem to mind... I also left my hand in the cage for a bit while talking to him and this time I played with his favorite ball and he watched it go back and forth with my hand. I thought he might associate my hand with good, fun things? Tomorrow I have the day off so I'll be cooking budgie things all day and spending time bonding with Harvey... I LOVE him :) I'm so jealous of Rain :p

[MsBudgie]

He seems to be doing fabulous!

[BabyRain5]

Harvey's amazing! I love him so much... he's been hopping onto my finger without hesitation outside the cage... right now he's a little cautious stepping up inside the cage I think because of his memory of the vet when they towel handled him to clip his wings and nails. However, today he has been stepping up inside the cage and has even been so comfortable to preen there. Twice he allowed me to take him outside the cage... it amazes me how Rain and Harvey are like night and day :) He is definitely a lot easier to train!

P.S. I made budgie bread today and he LOVES it :)

[Vickie]

lol I love the name Harvey!

[BabyRain5]

I'm quite confused... Harvey has completely changed and I don't know why. He doesn't have any interest in me and walks away from my finger when I try to get him to step up or if he does step up he jumps off right away. This has been like this for the past two days... and I'm trying to give him space while still trying to bond with him so I've relaxed a bit on the training section. Why does it seem like his training is going backwards? :( Am I doing something wrong? I don't feel like I've pushed him or forced him into training... he seemed interested and curious in me before.

[BudgieKiss]

Hmmm...I'm not sure. Although the same thing happened with Mickey. Now he goes on, because he doesn't really care :D
Well I wish you all the best!

J