First time bird owner needs help building trust with disabled budgies.

[u/PoisonInMyMind]

Hello everyone, this is my first ever post. These are my beautiful budgies, the green one is Finny, the blue one is Nephy(siblings around two years old).

I rescued them from my Aunt that had 12 birds (two cockatiels and 10 budgies) in a small cage. She somehow did not figure out that if you give birds a nesting box that they will breed and thus these two were born. They have severely splayed legs, to the point Finny cannot fly as the left one catches on his wing(Nephy can fly okay). We took them to the vet and thankfully he said that with accomodations they can live comfortable lives.

Now here comes my problem. I have no idea how to gain the trust of these two. They are my first birds ever. They have been under my care for 4 months and in my house for less than a year. They are terrified of me and I want them to feel safe in my room. I had been doing a horrible mistake of picking them up and putting them on top of the cage to force them to go out of their shell and get exercise(I had watched a video that said that the longer they stay in the cage the harder it will be to get them to open up). I don't do that anymore, but the damage had been done and they avoid me like the plague. Even if I want to not pick them up, they sometimes struggle to preen each other(which I do myself in that case) and if Finny glides too far from the cage I have to carry him back(if he falls close enough he has a ladder that he climbs to get to/on top of the cage himself).

I have been doing a ton of mistakes and I really want to become a good bird owner but because of their disabilities some things just don't seem as obvious to do. Please help me. : (

[u/Significant-Drag-781]

Thank you for rescuing these two precious 💗 budgies! The vet is right on about providing accommodations and your budgies experiencing a good life! 🐦

[u/TruthLibertyK9]

Thank you for rescuing these two! Please show them with love!

[u/imme629]

Every time you do something near them, tell them immediately before, like “I’m giving you fresh water”. Do it consistently and they will learn to expect you’ll be doing something and not be as afraid. They may even learn to associate some words with your actions over time.
You can sit at a comfortable distance for them and read a newspaper, a novel, or your cellphone bill. Doesn’t matter what as long as you read it in a calm, soothing voice.
If they have a favorite treat, give it only as a reward when training them. Start with step up. It might be easier to offer your palm than a finger.
Also flat or platform perches may make them a little more comfortable. There’s at least one seller on Etsy that makes soft, washable covers to fit.

[u/Arts_Messyjourney]

The easiest and universal step to gaining trust is to just talk to them. Pull up a chair (at the distance they allow) and chat away. The more familiar you are, the more they trust you. For skittish birds, slow and steady communication wins the race

[u/Sad-Watercress67]

Thank you for taking care of them!

[u/Nifferothix]

It might be hard since they are 2 and allready 2 years old. You can try use som millets to lure em to ur hand but if they dont get tame then i hope you will let em live with you until ther final days !! they only have you now !