If you have a new parakeet, you may wish to hold it and play with it for bonding purposes. Nevertheless, you may not know the right way to hold it, which can be dangerous as parakeets bite and squawk loudly. This article will walk you through the steps of how to hold a parakeet for the first time. So, Keep reading for more information!
Below are eight steps you can use to hold a parakeet for the first time:
1. Sit or stand close to the cage with your face directly facing your parakeet.
2. Call it with a soothing voice that will make it happy.
3. Talk to it gently to get it ready for you.
4. Gently open the cage.
5. Slide your hand towards your parakeet.
6. Let the parakeet perch on your finger.
7. Place your other hand on the parakeet. Do it gently so the parakeet cannot perceive you violently.
8. Do not squeeze the parakeet with your fingers.
9. Take it out of its cage to keep bonding with you while outside.
Is It OK to Hold a Parakeet for the First Time?
It is okay to hold a parakeet for the first time. All you need to do is ensure that you are gentle enough to prevent your parakeet from biting you.
It is also important to hand-train your parakeet to feel safe and stable and to trust you.
This will make holding a parakeet easier and safer.
How Do You Get Parakeets to Let You Hold Them?
Parakeets will need time to bond with you and trust you before they let you hold them.
Here are eight things to do to get your parakeets to let you hold them:
1. Standing Close to the Cage Often
You must stand or sit close to the cage so your parakeets can grow fond of your face, scent, etc. Parakeets will recognize your familiarity once they see you more often.
2. Sliding Your Hand in the Cage Numerous Times a Day
It is important to gently slide your hand into the parakeet’s cage more often. Do not shake the cage or roughly grab the parakeets.
Being gentle will help parakeets believe you are non-violent and thus trust you even more. Parakeets may squawk at you, but you need to stay calm.
3. Hold Its Favorite Treat in Your Hand
Once parakeets get used to your hand, always hold their favorite and healthy treat, which will attract them to your hand.
Having a treat in your hand helps create a safe space. It is essential to pick a small treat that birds can get off your hand easily.
4. Introduce Perches
Put wooden and soft perches of different sizes in your parakeet’s cage. Perches will help these birds perch closer to you.
Use perches of different textures that are flexible enough to create the sense of swaying in a tree.
5. Gently Prod Parakeet’s Chest Using Your Finger
This will encourage a parakeet to perch on you. Always be gentle for parakeets to keep trusting you. Call it a name while saying phrases like “up, up” to indicate that you want to hold them.
6. Move Your Finger Closer to the Perch
Put your fingers straight to make your parakeet feel stable and safe. Once the bird is on your fingers, completely remove the perch to make it only stick to your fingers.
Do not shake with fear; it also makes the parakeet fail to trust you.
7. Take the Parakeet Out of Its Cage
Getting parakeets out of their cages makes them feel more free since they are in an open environment. Let other people, like friends and family, gently hold the parakeet to avoid being bitten.
8. Let the Parakeet Freely Perch on Other Parts of Your Body
Parakeets will always want to explore other parts of you, especially when they get used to you. Train your parakeet to perch anywhere as long as it behaves well.
Sometimes, it may take some time for the parakeet to trust you; hence, be patient when training it completely.
Can I Hold My New Parakeet?
Yes, you can hold your new parakeet after hand-training it to perch on your fingers. Parakeets like being held by people they trust.
Therefore, the first step in holding your parakeet is training it to trust and bond with you. Holding a completely new parakeet can bite your fingers, but giving it time to settle in will create a rapport that will help build companionship.
How Long Should You Wait to Handle a Parakeet?
It is best to wait at least one to two days before handling a parakeet.
When introducing a parakeet to its new environment, ensure you allow it to be alone and internalize the new environment. This helps the parakeet master the new environment more peacefully.
After two days, you can start handling the parakeet by hand and training it to create a bond and trust.
How to Hold a Bird in Your Hands
If you want to know how to hold a bird properly in your hand, consider following these five tips:
1. Put the index finger closer to its perch.
2. Tuck in all the other fingers to avoid giving your bird something to chew on or play with.
3. After perching on your finger, use the other hand to grab it by the neck since it is bonny gently. Avoid grabbing the belly, as it has a diaphragm that needs to move in and out.
4. Use the other fingers to support the remaining body.
5. Gently move your fingers around its neck and back to prickle it.
Avoid squeezing the bird, as you may end up killing it or breaking its weak bones. You are now equipped with tips on holding a bird for examination without being bitten.
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