Linaeth
09-17-2011, 12:45 AM
I'm sure many of you heard of the frustrating anomaly of Zeke untaming August rather than August taming Zeke. Well, I figured I'd start a new journal on my progress of taming them both together.
When it all started, Zeke was still way too skittish to allow me near, and once-tame August was quickly reverting back to being wild. I was able to sometimes give them treats from my fingers (August almost always, Zeke almost never), but other than that, the two wanted nothing to do with me.
I actually made some progress today, though. All because August was being kind of a little butt-head, for lack of a better term. I was offering them their usual nutriberry treat, which they both love and usually share fine, but every time Zeke leaned over for a bite tonight, August would glare at him then give him a big ol' peck on the head! Poor little Zeke wanted his treat so much, and was really trying to get to it, but August kept shooing him away. Once Zeke gave up and left, I followed him slowly with the treat to try to give him a chance to eat some, but August kept following, too, and doing the same thing. I guess he's just acting kind of bratty because he was an only budgie for a few months and was used to having all the treats to himself. He is just a little kid, after all. :giggle: It'll be easily remedied by just having a treat for each bird instead of one for them to share.
But anyway, Zeke eventually flew outside the cage by himself to play. I got the brilliant idea to work on each one individually for a bit now that they were willingly apart (which doesn't happen often). Just out of curiosity, I put out a finger for August and gave the step up command, and up he gets, no hesitation. Doesn't stay on long, but he hasn't done even that for days. I give him a treat, a bit of attention, then close the cage door to keep him in (and away from Zeke for the time being) and move on to Zeke, who's scurrying around on top of the cage. I hold up the treat at the edge of the cage, and, lo and behold, he scampers right over and nibbles at his treat! He only came over once, and then kept his distance again, but this too was progress. It was the first time he's eaten from my hand without August right beside him. There is hope yet for these guys! :woot:
Oh, and not to worry, August is not bullying Zeke in any other way. They still share food and water fine, feed each other, preen each other, and play together.
When it all started, Zeke was still way too skittish to allow me near, and once-tame August was quickly reverting back to being wild. I was able to sometimes give them treats from my fingers (August almost always, Zeke almost never), but other than that, the two wanted nothing to do with me.
I actually made some progress today, though. All because August was being kind of a little butt-head, for lack of a better term. I was offering them their usual nutriberry treat, which they both love and usually share fine, but every time Zeke leaned over for a bite tonight, August would glare at him then give him a big ol' peck on the head! Poor little Zeke wanted his treat so much, and was really trying to get to it, but August kept shooing him away. Once Zeke gave up and left, I followed him slowly with the treat to try to give him a chance to eat some, but August kept following, too, and doing the same thing. I guess he's just acting kind of bratty because he was an only budgie for a few months and was used to having all the treats to himself. He is just a little kid, after all. :giggle: It'll be easily remedied by just having a treat for each bird instead of one for them to share.
But anyway, Zeke eventually flew outside the cage by himself to play. I got the brilliant idea to work on each one individually for a bit now that they were willingly apart (which doesn't happen often). Just out of curiosity, I put out a finger for August and gave the step up command, and up he gets, no hesitation. Doesn't stay on long, but he hasn't done even that for days. I give him a treat, a bit of attention, then close the cage door to keep him in (and away from Zeke for the time being) and move on to Zeke, who's scurrying around on top of the cage. I hold up the treat at the edge of the cage, and, lo and behold, he scampers right over and nibbles at his treat! He only came over once, and then kept his distance again, but this too was progress. It was the first time he's eaten from my hand without August right beside him. There is hope yet for these guys! :woot:
Oh, and not to worry, August is not bullying Zeke in any other way. They still share food and water fine, feed each other, preen each other, and play together.