How to Get a Parakeet to Go in the Happy Hut

Happy Huts are made of durable fabric such as synthetic sheepskin. They are tubular "tents"open at both ends for birds to enter and exit. Parakeets do not use hollow places for sleeping and perching unless they are nesting. A Happy Hut provides certain types of small parrots with the security of a cozy, dark space. Although parakeets may not sleep in a Happy Hut, it is possible to train tame parakeets how to use it as a toy.

Things You'll Need

  • Happy Hut or similar bird toy
  • Tame parakeet (budgerigar)
  • Spray millet
  • Parakeet's favorite toy
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Instructions

    • 1

      Introduce your parakeet to the Happy Hut by hanging it in an upper corner of the bird's cage. It may frighten the bird at first, but after a couple of days, your parakeet will probably ignore it. Getting the bird to enter the Happy Hut requires putting something inside it that your parakeet wants. Spray millet is a favorite treat for parakeets. Spray millet is the natural form of millet seed used in parakeet food. It looks like sticks covered in small brownish seeds.

    • 2

      Remove the Happy Hut from your parakeet's cage. Reach into the cage and ask your parakeet to "step up" on your finger. Place the parakeet on top of its cage. Place a spray millet through the Happy Hut with one end slightly protruding from the Happy Hut. Secure the millet spray with a chip clip or other method that can withstand your parakeet's tugging at the spray millet.

    • 3

      Place the Happy Hut on a solid surface with the millet spray attached. Place your parakeet next to the Happy Hut where it can see the spray millet. Your parakeet will start eating the spray millet and will move closer to the entrance of the Happy Hut as it consumes the millet seeds. Gently encourage your parakeet as it approaches the entrance to the Happy Hut. A parakeet's appetite wil tempt it to enter the Happy Hut to get more millet. Your parakeet may try to pull the millet spray out of the Happy Hut, but when it fails to release the millet spray, your bird will likely enter the Happy Hut.

    • 4

      Cut the millet spray as short as necessary to entice your parakeet into the Happy Hut. After your parakeet consistently enters and exits the Happy Hut, encourage it to enter one end and exit the other for a treat.

    • 5

      Train your bird for 15 or 20 minutes a day. End each training session on a positive note when the bird has completed what you want it to do. Do not give your parakeet any millet sprays except those that you secure inside of the Happy Hut.