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lyssie722
Bappie
Joined: 28 Apr 2005
Posts: 72
Location: Maryland, USA |
| Introducing 2 birds |
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I have a Senegal parrot, Piper. She is 6 months old and I've had her for 3 months. About a month ago we got a Soloman Island Eclectus female who is now 10 months old. They live in different cages of course. They are well aware of each other by now. I'm just wondering how to introduce them, as in, maybe letting them hang out on the same gym together. We have had them close together outside their cages and they seem calm and a few times they've just kind of "beaked" each other gently. But I don't know birds well enough to know subtle signs they might show of either like or dislike. I mean, I think I could recognize obvious behavior of dislike but I wouldn't want to wait for such behavior. I have ordered a new gym which neither have seen before so it will be "neutral" territory. I'm guessing that would be an important factor in introduction. Does anyone have any advice/suggestions?
Melissa |
Tuesday July 12, 2005 4:23 pm |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7970
Location: Australia |
Hey Melissa,
after reading your post, I was wondering if you quarantined your eclectus first before introducing it to your Sennie? It's usually is a good idea to do it even if the birds have been given the clean bill of health from the vet. Just wondering that's all. 
Cheers
Bih |
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Wednesday July 13, 2005 2:48 pm |
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lyssie722
Bappie
Joined: 28 Apr 2005
Posts: 72
Location: Maryland, USA |
Hi there:
I read the other posts. I like the ideas of having them meet outside (where it is neutral and where outdoor sounds can distract them) as well as the idea of introducing them while they are wet. Also, having a distraction ready if one gets a little aggressive is good adivce.
I guess I'm just wondering the early signs of something going wrong when both birds are together. Like I mentioned, they do a little beaking -- I guess that is ok? Can beaking turn into something more aggressive?
I didn't quarantine my eclectus because the breeder told me she ran a closed aviary so no new birds or animals are allowed in and neither are people. She assured me that those that have purchased birds from her in the past have not quarantined them from their birds because of this. This woman is meticulous in her care of her birds so I trusted this. I hope that wasn't the wrong decision. |
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Wednesday July 13, 2005 7:14 pm |
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Fluffy Sue
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 10073
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Hi there..
I am not an expert on this, so I am also wondering what other people have to say about this..
But I'd think that a little beaking is ok. As long as they're not going for the feet, or the larger bird being extremely agressive towards the smaller one, I'd think it'd be ok.. (Please keep in mind the difference in size!!)
With Zazu, I can see the feathers in his neck going up, then I have to watch out if it concerns smaller birds he's interacting with.
Also, I find it worry-some that Iago won't let go and keeps defending himself, instead of falling down.
I don't know how eclectus show that they're agressive?
I have noticed that interaction between Zazu & birds goes well (even Flit) if I'm not interfering..
Example: Two days ago I found that Zazu was on Flit's cage. He was talking nicely to Flit & Flit was very interested in his older brother sitting on his cage.
But when I wanted to get Zazu off (I found the whole situation risky as Zazu might bite Flit's feet) Zazu started attacking Flit. (Well, the cage)
So I had to get him off the cage by using something distracting.
Also, when Zazu's on the outdoor gym with my friend's African greys everything goes well until I come in. Then he starts chasing the poor greys..
Pretending I don't watch Zazu is the key for him not to get agressive towards other birds..
Somehow, he seems to feel more confident when he thinks his mommy 'backs him up'.. (And starts attacking then!)
I don't know how things are arranged in your country, but over here breeders can still harbour nasty diseases, even if they have a closed aviary.
But then, we don't have the huge claiming system like the one in the States..
I don't want to put the breeder in a bad light, but I'd be careful..
Does she have test results of her birds? |
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Thursday July 14, 2005 10:23 am |
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debi
Flutterer
Joined: 30 Mar 2005
Posts: 117
Location: South Jordan, Utah |
| question |
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I have a question about having more than 1 bird.  Do you handle one at a time or do you let them play together?  How long did it take to get them together and is one dominate? : I see birds I like all of the time when I go to the pet store but I am afraid Bella would get jealous of an other bird. I spend so much time with Bella; I am either at work or playing with Bella.
We were told when Sar bought Kloie that when you have 2 birds together they forget the human. But I think they were talking 2 birds in the same cage. We thought Kloie was lonely. I think I would like to get a sun Conure or a Grey or I would love to get another sennie.
I would appreciate any comments on dealing with 2 or more birds.
Deb |
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Saturday July 16, 2005 6:40 am |
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shirin
Moderator
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 7402
Location: Canada, Toronto |
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Hi Deb, before anything else, I just saw your new diary entry, it's GREAT! So cute!
To answer your questions, I don't let my lovebirds play with my Grey, because they would fight! But they are out of their cages at the same time and I have to closely supervise them. This does not mean that the same would happen to your birds, you could end up with a bird that your Sennie loves and they can preen eachother and everything. It's so hard to predict whether two birds will get along or not as they all have different personalities.
It's not true that if you have multiple birds they forget the human. Especially if you buy the birds at different times. It is more likely that they won't like eachother than not like you. Especially if you continue to spend a lot of time with the birds like you already do, and constantly handle them. I bought my lovebirds as a pair and they are very bonded to eachother, so they are a little bit less tame and more independant than they would be if I just had one, for example they don't like scritches, and they bite sometimes, but they still want to be with my boyfriend and I constantly. When I let them out of their cages, they immediately fly to one of us and want to sit on us, and they live in the same cage. I also made the mistake of letting them become fully flighted, so that has also contributed to their independance.
My Grey was added to my family about 7-8 months after I'd already had my lovebirds and they do not like eachother at all! Now they can sort of tolerate eachother, but initially they just wanted to fight. And they are always competeing for my attention.
As far as your other bird feeling jealous, this is very possible initially, and you should treat your first bird extra special so he knows he's not being replaced. For example always uncover his cage first in the morning, and put him to bed last. Feed him first, and cuddle with him first.
I think if you want another bird and have the time for one, then go for it but also be prepared that the 2 birds might not like eachother. |
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Saturday July 16, 2005 10:05 am |
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Fluffy Sue
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 10073
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Hi Debi..
I handle Zazu separately from Flit & Iago.
Flit & Iago can be handled at one time, but I do handle them apart..
For training I mean. Iago sits and watches how Flit is trained & vice versa. Also Zazu likes to watch, but he usually wants to participate..
I don't think that two birds in once cage will start ignoring humans IF they are being handled separately.. |
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Saturday July 16, 2005 11:10 am |
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debi
Flutterer
Joined: 30 Mar 2005
Posts: 117
Location: South Jordan, Utah |
| 1 bird? 2 Birds, 3 birds four |
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Thanks for the advice. I think with my time being so tied up I will stick to Bella for now. As I keep learning I may look around. Birds are quite expensive where we live, I assume they are expensive everywhere. We bought Bella with our bonus from work. So in order to get what I want I would have to save. 
So Melissa how are your birds doing together? Keep me up on their progress. I am really interested in seeing how they do.
Deb |
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Saturday July 16, 2005 10:27 pm |
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