You used to breed? That is amazing! Quite an experience, I'm sure. I'd enjoy hearing/reading if you have stories.
I am not aware of local breeders, I don't travel, and birds aren't usually shipped for a number of reasons (though I did see one online option that was really high priced). And the prices for young budgies that are already worked with can potentially break the bank, so to speak. I couldn't put out that kind of money.
Pet store birds are inexpensive (you get what you pay for, in a way), and the ones I managed to buy were roughly 3 months old (no definitive hatch date, and the staff was wrong on gender). Before I got them, the only handling they had (to my knowledge) was being grabbed and having their wings clipped.
They have every right to be scared and untrusting. I just hope that, in time, I can earn a degree of trust.
I wanna thank you for taking the time to share your info and advice. Any more you have to offer, I will be one happy sponge.
About the ramp idea, I will try that. The cage door opens and allows a ramp, like you mentioned. When I put the bird away, I returned him directly to the perch. That might have been a huge mistake and accosted for a great deal of distress (due to the intrusion).
The internet can only be so helpful when looking for advice. Half of it is people contradicting one another, and a portion of it is wrong or biased.
Best sources are experienced bird owners.