Ringneck Training

[Miabuddy]

Hi,first time i,ve posted on here,so hi to all.
I have a semi tame male parakeet,but I am attempting to tame him further,at the moment he is in a large parrot cage,am I asking a too obvious question here,but I'm wondering wether while training him would it be better to have him in a smaller cage?
Obviously he enjoys the space in the large cage,but it can be a bit stressful when trying to get him out.
He would be more confined in a smaller cage but it would make working with him that much easier i think.
If anyone has any thoughts on this please share.
Thank you.

 

[Miabuddy]

Any reply ,how ever small,would be appreciated,I,m very new to this and would like to get any feedback I can.
Thanks.

 

[Selestine]

I guess I'm really not sure. Could you give us some more information?

How long have you had him and how old is he? Exactly how big is the cage? And what steps are you taking in your taming?

Honestly, I don't think that whether the cage is big or small that trying to corner / forcibly remove him from it will help with taming. I would instead focus on getting him used to enjoying your presence.

If just being near to you provokes a bad response, start by sitting near to his cage and talking or singing softly to him. You can read a book aloud. Just spend time being near him (not even paying attention TO him) so that he can see that you are not threatening.

Move on to trying to pass him treats through the bars of his cage. Something really delicious that he doesn't get often -- perhaps spray millet (which is also nice because it gives him some distance from your hand). When he takes the treat through the bars, tell him what a good boy he is.

Move on from there to opening the door of the cage. You can keep giving him treats through the bars if you want, while the door is open. Perhaps moving closer and closer to the open door. Eventually he will get to the point where he will be willing to venture TO the open door to have his treats.

Once he is happily taking his treat while standing at the open door, coax him outside of the cage (onto your hand or onto a perch/stick) to get his treat. Allow him to retreat back to the cage after he gets his treat if he wishes.

When he is comfortable being ON your hand and eating his treats without needing to run right back to his cage, I would leave the room that the cage is in so that it isn't tempting him to run back to.

So far as I'm aware, parakeets are a little harder on the "to tame" list than many of the larger birds. He will need a lot of your patience and kindness to feel comfortable, and you may feel like you are moving insufferably slowly, but just be persistent and you'll both be rewarded.