Living in cage mostly

Hi all. I have 2 budgies that I adopted from the humane society a couple years ago. They are not from a good situation and were very, very scared for a long time. They are not hand tamed. I've tried to work with them, but it stresses them out. They have been out of the cage a couple times, accidentally, and I had to gently put them back while covered with a towel. They love each other, have a clean cage and good quality pellet food. Is this ok as their life? Caged? I work from home, and they are with me most days, in my office, as I work. I talk to them and play bird music for them. They definitely like me and seem to feel safe with me and perk up, eat, play when I come in.

I'm not going to force hand training or being out of the cage as it really scares them. I want them to live a happy, safe, comfortable life. Can they in a cage? It seems to be their happy place. I refuse to force them to sit on my finger or come out of the cage if it causes them stress. I do feel a bit guilty, though, as if they'd be happier flying around. I'm in it for the long haul and happy to keep a safe, clean home for them!

Hi aris and welcome. It sounds to me like you’re doing a great job with your little ones. They would pretty much have to be better off in their current situation than their previous circumstances. If you feel guilty about them being caged you could maybe get them a bigger cage if your situation allows. But they have each other and a wonderful caring new owner in you so I think they’ll be just fine

Thank you! I have worked on hand taming but hate how stressed they become. One of them climbs up the the side of the cage in fear! I could gently revisit though! And a large cage is a good idea. One of my guys occasionally falls to the ground, and I'm afraid that he might get hurt if the cage is too tall though! Appreciate your input! I'm new to birds!

Taming a bird is always a balancing act; fear is never a good motivator so you are wise to back off even as you have the best of intentions. The link to bonding/building trust contains excellent techniques, always worth another approach.

Regardless of taming, you are providing them a good home and they seem to be bonded on their own terms. Perhaps as suggested a larger but not necessarily taller cage may be of benefit.

Yes. Thank you. I believe that they are bonded. I clean the cage with them in it, and it's taken this long for them to be comfortable with me wiping it down...mostly the bottom. Also, it's taken 2 years for them to start exploring toys and their cuttlebone. Funny. Also, they still won't eat any veges/fruit. I try different varieties but no luck! They are sweet, though. I sing them a "goodnight song" before I cover them at night. The minute that I start singing the song, they fly up to their sleeping perch and settle in. They are so smart and love to play the blinking game with me too. I guess this is a happy life for them!

For this reason a lot of people keep budgies together in flight cages or aviaries with no intent of taming them. As long as there is more than one they do well in a situation like this and bond closely with each other but have little owner interaction. Of course they still need a nice clean cage and daily food and water changes but if you can provide that and enough space for them to fly around in there then they should live happily this way.

Thank you itzjbean. A flight cage is a good idea. I will look into that! I'm trying to be realistic and not stress them out, and I feel much better after checking in with all of you! Thank you so much. I think that they are happy. They are very vocal, cute with each other and love to blink with me. That's good enough!

LaManuka said:

Hi aris and welcome. It sounds to me like you’re doing a great job with your little ones. They would pretty much have to be better off in their current situation than their previous circumstances. If you feel guilty about them being caged you could maybe get them a bigger cage if your situation allows. But they have each other and a wonderful caring new owner in you so I think they’ll be just fine

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agreed how ever budgies need alot of exercise to be healthy do you often let them out? maybe like LaManuka said a bigger cage could be a option