Magic & Button

[emsibe]

I thought that I would officially start training and bonding with Magic & Button. I got them on February 19, 2011. So a little over a month ago. They have settled in quite well and have already developed a bond with each other. Since Button is not as wary of my hands, I thought that this would be quite an advantage. I'm hoping that Magic will follow Button's example.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t171/1a1rray/New%20Budgies/Magic.png


I looked at some stickies, and decided to go with Robin's way of training. My budgies love their millet (:
http://talkbudgies.com/showthread.php?t=52324

28/03/11 - Day One
Button
Button picked up the idea first, while Magic jumped around the cage trying to get some stray bits that Button left behind. I decided to take a risk, and slowly started to move my hand towards the opening of the cage. Half way through, Button looked up and noticed. She hopped back onto her perch. This happened twice. Afterward, I decided not to try to take her outside. She was content with that, and didn't mind walking all over my hand.

Later, after training, Button and Magic had flown out. Button had landed right on the chair that I was sitting on, by my thigh. I looked down as she looked up. I moved to see if she would go on my hand, but by then, she had already flown away.

Magic
While Button was eating on my hand, Magic ate the dislodged bits that were on my hand. He had a lot of time to explore my hand then, and I guess he eventually decided that my hand was okay :p

He hopped onto my hand and had a feast. At first, Button wanted some more millet too, but decided to wait her turn. So I decided to try what I had attempted with Button, taking him out of the cage. I managed to get much closer to the cage door before Magic started to look a bit anxious. So I brought him back to the perch.

Conclusion of Day One
The budgies have come out for a short flight, as mentioned above. They are now back in their cage and have had a preening session :p
I'd like to say that we have made progress. Times before, while I was hoping that they were getting used to my hand within their cage, I've had a leg or two on my hand, but it was not often. Now, they are not hesitant to hop onto my hand at all.
Actually, I didn't even expect Magic to hop entirely onto my hand. He's more timid of the two when it comes to hands. I'm ultra proud of him and I hope that they will do it for me again tomorrow :)

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t171/1a1rray/New%20Budgies/Together.png

[orangemelodie]

i am not the kind to tell everyone that their birds are pretty (especially when it is the typical blue or green boring color), but you, my friend, have some jaw-dropping birds

[emsibe]

Hehe, thank you! :D

[emsibe]

Day Three
Magic & Button
Today, I tried using seed instead of millet. I thought that it may be a good substitute, as millet isn't a must and more of a treat. I wanted to see if they would come to me even without millet.

I'm glad to say that they did, even though it was a little bit. Maybe they were just about ready for a meal. Well, Button was in the cage while Magic was on top of the cage. So I held out my hand towards Button. She tentatively put a leg onto my hand, then another. Magic, the more greedy of the two, wanted to have some too. I moved back to give him some space, and he flew onto my arm. He then proceeded to run around on my arm while snatching bits of seeds. Finally, he settled down on my palm, with just enough room for Button :rolleyes:

In addition to that, I put in some sprouts and bits of carrot along with their seed. I'm hoping that they will eat it. So far, I've seen them peck the carrot and push it out of the way :p

[emsibe]

Day... 10/04/2011
Aha, it's been so long! ^^'
Unfortunately, today started off not one of the greatest days.

Okay well. I have been working with them and have offered things other than their spray millet. I think that I've been making progress.

Yesterday, I stuck my hand in their cage and Button was checking it out. Button did come right up to my hand and nibbled my thumb, but didn't venture onto it. She hopped from perch to perch to swing and boing, cocking her head to one side and to the other side. This all happened without me needing to bribe her with food.

This morning, the temperature had dropped really low over night. When I checked on the budgies, Magic was definitely not doing well. He was all fluffed up, and closing his eyes for long periods of time. After a minute or two of me staring at him, he made regurgitation movements. He then vomited two or three times. I checked, the vomit consisted of seeds he had not digested. So I covered them half way and offered them some spray millet, as I heard that the budgies can hold down spray millet. Button took up a comfy spot on their perch, but that meant that Magic had to stretch.
Feeling poorly already, Magic hopped onto the lower perch, then onto my arm. This happened with no hesitation at all. I'd like to say that this is a good sign. He has really gotten used to my arm and well, eating was a good sign too.

I came home tonight to find that Magic was feeling much better. He's now acting normal, eating, preening, and chattering with Button.