Opinions

[kyliesmom07]

What do you all think of this? I don't agree with the leave the bird alone for 7 days thing dosn't that just allow the bird to become territoral? I found this while searching for Parakeet pictures to show Bill. A few things seem really dated on this... http://www.animaladventurepets.com/Parakeets.htm

[Aly]

I don't agree with it at all. I have handled all my birds from day one before they even see their cage. It gives them a chance to bond with you and become comfortable with you before they become comfortable with their cage. Otherwise, you could have a bird that becomes very territorial and doesn't like your hands at all. In most case doing that will delay the taming process for a long time. I could never keep a bird in their cage for 7 days without letting them out at all. I wouldn't want to be in a cage for seven days so I'm sure they wouldn't appreciate it.

EDIT: that site also metions they their only food should be seed. That's not right. Who wants to eat just seeds their whole life??? It says to complete their dietary needs with vitamins added to water which is silly. First, the water vitamins are not meant for regular use and acctually I wouldn't recommend them at all. They help bacteria growth in the water and unless you plan to change their water a hundred times a day it's not recommended. A variety of foods should be provided not a pack of pills. It mentions veggies as a treat? Veggies should not just be a treat-they should be regular everyday part of their diet.

[Laura]

I have left my budgies alone for the first day or two till they got use to there new home and it didn't make them territorial but I don't agree with 7 days that seems like an awfully long time, the only reason I left mine alone for a day or two is because they were older budgies over 5 mths probably closer to 6 mths when I got them and they were very scared so i didn't want to freak them out even more as they probably never been handled by a human.

[poppabill]

I would disagree with that as well. When i sell a bird i tell folks to put them in the cage and then do not handle for 24-48 hrs, during this time i say they should talk to the bird as they walk bye but not pick it up. I think if given this time they can get used to there surroundings and folks walking by. The 2nd day if you want put your finger in and see what happens but i think my way gives them a chance to get a little used to there new surroundings. I have been tellng folks this for 25 years and it seems to work OK for me...be happy.

[Aly]

Here is a site I like with lots of info:
http://budgieplace.com/

and here is an article on food:
http://talkbudgies.com/showthread.php?t=11902

[Tiki]

That website is weird. I leave them alone the first day, and maybe the second if they are totally freaked out, but seven?

Yep, the site sounds dated. Soon it will be talking about which brands of sandpaper perches & grit to buy. :p

[nic bike]

with both of my birds i didn't let them see the cage until they had spent a good half an hour with me so they know that they associate me with comfort and not to go to the cage when scared but to come to me it hasn't failed me yet

[Bea]

I also like to play with them for an hour or so when i first get them home so they don't have a chance to get cage clingy. :) It's worked really well with all my birds.

[xxxSpikexxx]

That info sounds really outdated