Dec 24, 2022 15:35:27 GMT
bwji36
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 10
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Post by bwji36 on Dec 26, 2022 22:00:12 GMT
Hi all I am new to the forum and I am looking for some advice or tips if you would be so kind, we already have one Budgie called Leo who is about three and a half years old. We have now decided to get him another male friend for company and have reserved a budgie at our local pet store, I would say he is about one and a half years old possibly but not sure as his cere is just turning blue, so a young bird. . After careful consideration I have ordered a Hamberley Single Metal Large Cage for the new arrival, Leo is currently living in an Omlet GEO bird cage which he is very happy with. I understand I need to quarantine the new bird in another room which I plan to do for four weeks, my concern is that I would eventually like both birds to share the new Hamberley cage which is bigger. However I am well aware it may not be that straight forward lol. So my initial question is should I try and get Leo to move into the larger cage first, he is very strong willed so not even sure if he would leave his current home! Or should I put the new bird in the bigger new cage and hope that Leo will want to join him eventually, this is all new to me ! Am I right in saying that after the quarantine period is over I would put the cages next to each other so they can get used to each other and start chatting, then later let them out independently and see who goes to who's cage? While this is all going on I will also have to train the new bird like I did with Leo to fly in the main room and hopefully fly back to me for a treat and so on. Its a lot to try an figure out in terms of best practice and what will work best without stressing the birds, any advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, and Merry Christmas
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Post by Loz on Dec 26, 2022 22:43:01 GMT
Welcome to you and to Leo & Merry Christmas! Someone will be along soon to give you some good advice but it sounds to me like you are going about things the right way. If Leo's cere is just turning blue now he may be as young as three -four months old. How long have you had him? A picture if him would be very welcome. Great choice of cages. I have a Geo among my various cages and use it as the quarantine home for new arrivals. My thought is your best chance of training the new budgie is whilst he's isolated. He may forget his training though in the excitement of meeting Leo - so the longer you can train the new boy, the better your chance of making the training stick. As I say, someone should be along with very helpful advice.
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Post by Hezz on Dec 27, 2022 8:43:17 GMT
New bird goes into the new, big cage. Once quarantine is over you can bring the two cages close to each other and let the birds get to know each other through the bars for a few days, then allow them to have out of cage time together for another few days. Always with you supervising, of course so you need to be prepared to step in if things look like getting violent. Budgies are usually very social creatures but may still take a week or two to begin to get along together. Once you are satisfied that they are getting on well, leave both cage doors open and let them interact as they like. If Leo has a toy or favourite swing you might get something similar and place this in the new cage. Quite often the resident will explore the new abode and simply move himself in.
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Dec 24, 2022 15:35:27 GMT
bwji36
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 10
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Post by bwji36 on Dec 27, 2022 12:50:45 GMT
Hi Lozhinge and Hezz
thank you both for your advice which is appreciated, I am glad the new bird should go in the new cage as this will hopefully encourage Leo to move in with the new boy eventually. I will certainly try and train the new bird as much as possible during the quarantine period before putting the two cages next to each other.
Leo is besotted with his bell so ill get a new one for the new bird and that will hopefully help Leo take interest in the new cage.
I don't have the new budgie yet, he is reserved and awaiting collection from the pet shop, just waiting for the new cage to be delivered in the next few days hopefully.
If anyone has the Hamberley Single Metal Large Cage are there any recommendation on where to source suitable perches, I think the width of the cage is about 52cm looking at the specs. I'm in the UK mind you, ill start looking online and ordering some things today.
I tried to attach a picture of LEO but when I click the Add Image to post button i'm getting a DNS error message, ill try and sort this out as it would be nice to post a picture of Leo and the new fella once he arrives.
Thanks again
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Post by jellybean on Dec 27, 2022 13:38:03 GMT
bwji36, this is a great website for budgie stuff, I've used them for years, as have others on the forum. It's run by a lovely couple, Karen & Darran. Anything you want that you don't see on their website, they will be happy to make as per your instructions. www.naturalbirdco.co.uk
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Post by Loz on Dec 27, 2022 14:31:47 GMT
I second the recommendation for Natural Bird Product Co, their products are absolutely top-notch but last I heard, they were temporarily closed for business, until Feb 2023. If this remains the case, you'll need to source from elsewhere, at least for now.
Perhaps forum members have suggestions for decent alternatives?
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Dec 24, 2022 15:35:27 GMT
bwji36
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 10
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Post by bwji36 on Dec 27, 2022 16:36:53 GMT
Thanks jellybean, that is a coincidence as I did order some small wooden T shaped perches from naturalbird.co.uk about a year ago, I was looking on their site earlier but see they have a long lead time out till February at the moment. I remember having a lovely reply from Karen at the time and will use them again
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Dec 24, 2022 15:35:27 GMT
bwji36
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 10
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Post by bwji36 on Feb 12, 2023 13:06:02 GMT
Hi all I am after some advice please, it has been about 4 weeks now since Leo and Ollie started to share the larger cage after a brief introductory period via separate cages. To my surprise Ollie was a very good flyer and had no navigation issues round the room like Leo did when he was younger, and they quickly started getting on, with Loe obviously asserting himself as the dominant bird as he is about 3 years older thang Ollie. Things seemed to settle down after a week or so and they started preening and kissing each other, feeding together and coming out the cage to fly together. However I did see a change in Leo's behaviour, he did not touch any of his favourite toys he was normally obsessed with, and was giving Ollie 100% of his attention often getting right in Ollies face and Ollie would back off. Leo has been very vocal but Ollie is extremely quiet, I know this is not uncommon for an English Budgie. However I started to get the impression Leo was dominating Ollie a bit, he had become very forthright when he has always been quite skittish. Putting himself first for food, flying to my hand if I have millet before Ollie, and Leo was always a bit wary of flying to the hand before Ollie came ! Sorry this is a bit long winded but wanted to give a bit of info, anyway today I had to put Leo back in his Geo for a bit as he was flying in front of Ollie and blocking him from getting to his food and I felt they both needed a bit of time out. Ollie will push Leo out of the way but I wanted to get advice in case I am handling things wrongly, having two birds with different natures is new to us and its difficult interaction with Ollie with Leo acting so head strong! Any advise would be greatly appreciated, picture of the boys attached. Kind regards Colin
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Post by Hezz on Feb 13, 2023 1:21:46 GMT
As long as you have two of everything so that both can feed and drink at the same time if they wish, otherwise I’d leave them to get on with it. There is always a transition, settling in period where they are still both finding what works and what doesn’t. Leo being the resident bird, it is understandable that he is making his dominance known. This most likely will be temporary and they settle into life together like an old married couple. Argy-bargy is okay as long as there is no full on aggression.
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Dec 24, 2022 15:35:27 GMT
bwji36
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 10
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Post by bwji36 on Feb 13, 2023 12:13:00 GMT
Thank you Hezz
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