How to introduce another budgie?

[TheTenthDoctor]

How exactly do I introduce another budgie? Kiwi is about 8 Months old, male and active but lonely. How to I get him a new friend? Should it be male or female? Should I add more food and water bowls? Should I not get him a friend at all? How should I go about this? How did you go about this? 

Thank you!

[Hezz]

A new bird will have to be quarantined for four weeks before being introduced to the resident bird. This is to prevent any illnesses passing from one bird to the other.
budgerigarsforum.proboards.com/thread/6793/important-quarantine

Once quarantine is over the birds' cages can be in the same room, close together so that they get the idea of there being another bird to associate with. If they seem keen to meet, the first interaction needs to occur outside of the cages and under strict supervision. Do this for short periods of time in the beginning, lengthening as the birds show they are keen to spend time together. You have to take your cues from the birds themselves. Don't push them any faster than they wish. Often one will simply move themselves into the others cage and settle in. If this doesn't happen you may need to cage them together for a short time again under supervision. Never leave them alone initially as one might become aggressive towards the other and if that happens in the cage without your knowledge a budgie could be injured or even killed.

For a beginner it is probably best to get another male as they are usually more sociable than hens. Always have at least two food pots for two birds, sometimes two water containers are necessary as well.

[TheTenthDoctor]

Okay thank you! I'll get a male. And I'll see about the other cage

[tweetiepiesmom]

Let us know how it works out.

[TheTenthDoctor]

Will do! I might go this weekend

[TheTenthDoctor]

Okay so here's the plan. I am going to convert a dog crate into a bird cage. (It's a huge crate) I'll house the second budgie in there temporarily next to Kiwi. Then I'll let them see each other. Eventually I'll let them both out together and after a few weeks I'll see if the 2nd budgie is interested in moving in with Kiwi.

[Hezz]

Dec 28, 2019 23:01:32 GMT TheTenthDoctor said:

Okay so here's the plan. I am going to convert a dog crate into a bird cage. (It's a huge crate) I'll house the second budgie in there temporarily next to Kiwi. Then I'll let them see each other. Eventually I'll let them both out together and after a few weeks I'll see if the 2nd budgie is interested in moving in with Kiwi.

Quarantining first, of course??? Quarantine means keeping the two birds separated completely for four weeks, as in in another part of the house, certainly not in the same room. Read the link I sent you.

You will need to be very careful about doing any DIY to make a dog crate suitable for a budgie. Gaps should be no more than 12mm and any sharp edges will have to be covered and/or snipped off close. Personally I don't think it is worth the trouble, expense or possible hazards

[TheTenthDoctor]

There aren't any sharp edges. I am going to line the inside with chicken fencing which is what I use on my other cage.