Question:how do you get budgies to play? will it come automatically to them or do you have to teach them, my budgie is 5months old.. and i have tried the following toys (at seperate times) swing, ladder, small ball with bell inside, rings with bell on the end, spinny thing with a mirror, and something which is sorta like a babies rattle for budgies...but he dosent seem interested in anything and will only go on his swing to sleep.. how can i get him to play??
Answers:
Did you remember to give him the instructions?
He may not have been shown that toys are to play with and just doesn't understand what they are for. Some people breed budgies with the bare minimum of stuff in the cage, and that's what they are used to. I would leave some of the toys in and the budgie may figure out what to do.
I too have a four month old Budgie, they usually just start to play on their own, but you could try to wiggle the toys with the bells on while saying "ring the bell" keep repeating this, and he may show an interest in it, same with any other things too. Let him out for a fly also, he will be much happier I'm sure. Birds like to live in flocks, so they get lonely on their own, we are their only company if solo. Talk to him often, you will reap the rewards in the end. Most of all, never give up on him!
When they get bored, they'll play. One of my lovebirds doesn't really play with toys, so I just give her long strings of millet to climb on. I just found out that she loves to destroy things, so I gave her some paper to rip to shreds, and got a toy made out of woven fibers (like wicker) and she LOVED that. She destroyed it within a few days. Some birds also like ropes to tear apart and climb on.
Sometimes, you need to "teach" them to play. Take the bird out of the cage and play with a toy. Completely ignore the bird and act like the toy is the most entertaining thing in the WORLD. Soon the budgie will get jealous and try to take the toy. Play tug-o-war for a little bit with it, and then let the bird win. Now hang the toy in the cage. Usually the bird will start to play with it and it will become the bird's favorite thing (besides you, of course)
Don't worry, one day you will go into the room where your bird is and he will be playing, or suddenly you will here the tinkling of a bell.
He is still young, mine didn't ever like the swing. But learned to play with the other things, BUT don't be taking them in and out. Leave them in there so that he can get used to their presence in the cage.
my cockatiel doesnt play either, but she does LOVE to chew and destroy things...hse has these little paper toys in there that she just chew up, and she likes to chew on rope
it may seem silly but they make little pinyatas made for birds to chew on, i havnt got one yet, but im going to, and im sure my bird will destroy it also, you can also ball up some papertowels, or tie them in a knot so she can chew on it also
my cockatiel is a year 1/2
When it gets bored it'll learn. One thing I've never seen a budgie be able to resist is a mirror with a bell on it. So as long as you've given him a mirror he could be quite content, they're really vain ;)
Some birds attack new toys instantly. Most will take their time figuring out if it's anything that will harm them or not. Birds are generally very cautious and have to get used to having different things in their cage. My Quaker acted like he thought his puzzle toy was going to kill him. Even after me playing with it with him first to get him used to it. For 2 days he wouldn't go near the perch that the toy was next to. Then one day, I come home and find the puzzle toy taken apart! He finally figured out it was ok and quickly learned what to do with it! I bought him that particular toy because he kept removing nuts and bolts from his cage door! LOL
Just leave the toys in for him and let him get used to them on his own time. It can help to play with the toys yourself, then offer it to him until he starts checking it out.
i have two budgies at home and i found that thats all they need is each other!!
before i got the second one, mine was just like how yours is now.. he just sat there but when i introduced the other one in they just changed completely!
the vet told me it was better to have two budgies then one especially if you are not in the house alot durin the day, it stops them from getting lonely! and they are so funny! just watching them is so funny! they headbang the cage when they dont get there own way and they scream at each other!! but there not actually fighting cos they do give each other food...
but id defo recommend a second budgie... i still have toys in my cage and when one is over at it, the other isnt far behind!! its like they are competing with each other!!
and they arent that expensive either!! it cost me €12 to buy the secopnd budgie.. i think thats the equivilent to £5...
and dont forget to buy them food treats!! mine love thwm and will demolish a whole bar in under half a day!
hope that helped :)
why dont you read him the manuals to the toys
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