2 parakeets that wont be finger trained?

Question

I bought 2 parakeets about a year ago. I have not finger trained them yet, and they have only been out of their cage a few times. Is it too late to finger train them? and how do I begin?

Answer 1

It's never really to late to train birds, its just the longer they go untrained, the longer and harder it is for them to get trained. HOWEVER!~ Some birds tend to pick up on things rather quickly so I will not speak for your birds. But to start them off, start talking to them when you want to pick them up, start with a stick or a perch and stick it (slowly) into there cage. Continuing to talk calmly and sweetly to them will help keep them calm. Try not to stick your hand in there because this may startle them because they won't understand why this "hand" is reaching and trying to grab them. Continue to do this until they are willing to get onto the stick with out much pressure or pushing.  ( Also when you place the stick in there cage lift it up to the abdomen ( kinda right above where their legs end) and push up and say *Step up*. That way they associate the command with the action!). Once the get used to that then you can start SLOWLY sticking your hand into the cage and just allowing it to be in there, try not to touch them or anyting, let them get used to your hand just being there, after a while u can put treats in your hand and what not to try and coax them to come down and investigate. Once they get close enough you start to use the command step up. Although they won't get it the first few rounds it should start to click with them. As from what I noticed parakeets can be stubborn especially when they get older. So be patient and work with them. Try not to grab them and stick them on your hand. They will most likely start seeing your hand as a threat and it will be come increasingly harder to hand tame.  Just remember:

1. Start with a stick, and once they have succesfully (and continously ) get up on the stick with out much effort on your part, then you can graduate to hand.

2. Use a calm voice and REMAIN CALM! Even when the bird might bite or poo. Birds can sense when you angry of frustrated. If you feel like your starting to get annoyed quit for the day and walk away. U need to stay calm so the birds stay calm.

3. REWARD REWARD REWARD!! Never discipline your bird for not doing what you want it to. Ignore it and move on. But when it does do something you want (i.e. stepping up on the perch after you say "step up") thats when you want to reward him by saying good bird  in a higher tone, or giving em their fave treat.

4. And remember this is gonna take time and pateince, This will not happen over night. So don't try to rush, and try to have fun.

Hope this helps you!! (woo my hands tired!!) lol

~T

Answer 2

No, it's not to late.  I think you should take them out at least once in two days!  Every day, take one out, and just love it up.  All you have to do, is put it on your chest, with your hands over it, and just preen them, pet them, givethem fresh fruit, and very soon, you'll start seeing difference in their behavior to you. For the finger training, when you have them out, gently, but firmly, put your finger into theire belly, near the feet, so they have no choice but to step up.

good luck!