Jan 22, 2023 9:16:50 GMT
SmokEm
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 18
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Post by SmokEm on Jan 22, 2023 9:37:04 GMT
Good morning. I'm new to all this. I started a post and lost it, so I hope I'm not repeating myself.
My boy budgie, Em is 3 and I've had him since he was a baby and he's very tame. I start a new job soon so 6 weeks ago I got a new baby boy, Smokey to keep him company. Smokey was quarantined for a month but they are now in the same room. I am planning on keeping them in separate cages for a month but I was hoping after 2 weeks in close proximity to see some signs of bonding. Smokey wants to be friends but Em is giving him the cold shoulder. Em is free-flying and I let Smokey out in the morning when I clean out the cages. Smokey flies straight to Em, and Em does everything he can to avoid him. There's no sign of aggression though.
I am being very careful in my behaviour, I know budgies can get jealous so I'm spending time with both of them, and treating Em as I always have, with lots of love and attention.
What I'd really like to know is how long the bonding process will take. I have a new, big rainforest cage that I am planning to put them both in. Hopefully that way neither of them will be too territorial.
Sorry for such a long first post. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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Post by Loz on Jan 22, 2023 10:03:16 GMT
You'll get some very good advice on the forum but due to time zones around the world, it may be a good few hours. It looks to me like you are taking a very cautious approach to the introduction which is possibly wise in view of Em having been on his own for so long. The introduction of the new cage should coincide with your putting the budgies in the same cage. This will ensure that territoriality behaviours will be limited as far as possible as the environment will be new to both budgies. More detailed and practical advice should follow soon. Welcome to the forum and welcome, Em & Smokey! Pictures will be most welcome. If you're on a smartphone, you'll need to switch to Desktop Mode (link at bottom of this page) in order to attach pics.
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Jan 22, 2023 9:16:50 GMT
SmokEm
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 18
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Post by SmokEm on Jan 22, 2023 10:53:31 GMT
Thanks Lozhinge. Yes, I'm thinking slow and easy is the way to go, I'm very anxious that these two boys get along but I've not had the experience of putting two budgies together before. I've read a bit online but this forum keep coming up in my search results so I thought I'd come on and ask the question. You lot seem to know your stuff
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Post by Loz on Jan 22, 2023 11:56:40 GMT
We do have some very experienced budgie wranglers on the forum, I've learned so much here!
I regularly introduce new budgies into my ever-expanding flick but I have the advantage of knowing, or being pretty sure, how my buds will react to a newcomer. It's different with the first new budgie though - you have no idea how the established birb will react, that first time.
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Post by Hezz on Jan 23, 2023 0:33:37 GMT
Baby budgies can be very full-on and super annoying to the older (not necessarily wiser) more mature budgie and Em’s reaction if fairly typical of a previously single bud getting a new annoying house mate. As long as there continues to be no aggression on his part, let them have out of cage time together for now. This will give Em plenty of space to get away, plenty of exercise for both the chased and the chaser and even the odd bop on the beak, head or even a push off the perch shouldn’t be seen by you as to be too aggressive. Believe me, you will know if there is a full on fight.
There is no predictor for how long it may take for them to be more accepting of each other. They may never form a strong bond; that does happen. So much depends on the individual personalities of the two birds. After two weeks of them interacting, or trying to, they should be ready to share a cage. I don’t know the new cage you have bought, any chance of a photo? Regardless, it sounds large enough for the two birds to be able to have their own space when they aren’t able to be out. I would still keep an eye on Em, looking for signs of stress, look for signs that he may be still needing his own personal retreat. Budgie boys are generally rather accommodating but it does pay to be vigilant. Little things to do to prevent him resenting the newcomer are such things as greet him first when you go to the cage, give him your undivided attention for a short time before shifting your focus to Smokey. Let him sit with you if that’s his thing, but also allow space for Smokey to experiment with joining the two of you without butting in on Em’s space/perch. Sometimes you do have to play moderator.
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Jan 22, 2023 9:16:50 GMT
SmokEm
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 18
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Post by SmokEm on Jan 23, 2023 7:35:28 GMT
www.northernparrots.com/peru-top-opening-parrot-cage-with-stand-antique/?gclid=CjwKCAiA2rOeBhAsEiwA2Pl7Qx4sThEF1RSpChaC3o-oQveWqAcxdkhXC_dpWfV_a6Xex_iImpwbQxoCsYIQAvD_BwEThanks Hezz. Your advice is helpful and reassuring. This is the cage. It has been in the room with the budgies for a few days so they can get used to it, with the door and top open so they can go inside if they want to. I start my job in 2 weeks so I'm hoping they'll be in and settled beforehand. There are 3 food containers and I have 2 water bottles. I am planning to put some familiar toys in and 2 swings. I've put 2 java wood branches in, one at the top and one at the bottom so Em can get away if he wants. You have described Smokey to a tee! Like a full-on, super annoying little brother who wants to play and be friends. Em is the disdainful big brother who's too cool for school. Em is still talking so I'm thinking he is still bonded to me. I know he will stop when he forms a bond with Smokey.
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Jan 22, 2023 9:16:50 GMT
SmokEm
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 18
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Post by SmokEm on Jan 23, 2023 7:40:43 GMT
By the way, Em is short for Emerald, he's an opaline Green. Smokey is a grey spangle. Smokey should have been my username but I mistyped it.
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Post by Loz on Jan 23, 2023 8:15:57 GMT
Its my experience (with Mr Hibs) that if you have a strong bond with a budgie, lasting months, you don't lose the bond when new budgies are introduced. If the bond is not long & strong, you lose the hand-taming link within a few days!
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Jan 22, 2023 9:16:50 GMT
SmokEm
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 18
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Post by SmokEm on Jan 23, 2023 9:31:14 GMT
That's good to know Lozhinge. It would be lovely to keep the strong bond I have with Em.
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Post by Hezz on Jan 24, 2023 1:24:36 GMT
A good bond with your first will usually help greatly in helping the newcomer begin to trust you as well. Smokey sees Em sitting and interacting with you and enjoying your company and this tells him that you are not a typical predator, that maybe you are to be trusted. It is good in the initial stages to keep a handy supply of little millet bobbles so that you can share with Em and have a spare hand for Smokey to try some as well. It helps keep them apart to eat in peace, not sniping at each other over who gets the most.
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Jan 22, 2023 9:16:50 GMT
SmokEm
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 18
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Post by SmokEm on Jan 25, 2023 17:37:10 GMT
Thanks. I'm happy to report they are installed in their new cage and all seems well. They have spent 2 nights together. I cover the cage, turn off the lights then sit quietly and listen for a while. I haven't heard any bickering, just a bit of fluttering as they settle for the night.
One thing they don't seem to like is the stainless steel seed dishes. I have reluctantly changed these for the white plastic ones they are used to but I haven't seen them eating from them and there are no husks so far. I've given them bits of millet so they don't starve but I don't want to make a habit of it. Millet is for training and treats. I'll keep an eye on them and see how it goes. I know they can be awkward little tykes.
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Post by Loz on Jan 25, 2023 17:48:56 GMT
I'm glad the first couple of nights have gone by peacefully!
I would try to encourage the s/s bowls if you can, they are easier to keep clean.
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Jan 22, 2023 9:16:50 GMT
SmokEm
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 18
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Post by SmokEm on Jan 25, 2023 18:15:13 GMT
I'll give them a chance to get used to eating together, I suppose that in itself is a big step, especially for Em who is used to dining alone. The s/s dishes fit into the cage quite low, maybe that's the problem? The plastic ones have hooks do I was able to fix them up high. At least they are eating right now, I'm glad they've eaten before bedtime.
I've been reading a bit of the forum today. There's so much information on here. I'm glad I found you. I read (somewhere) that greys can be quite feisty 😨
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Post by Loz on Jan 25, 2023 18:51:48 GMT
I would invest in s/s bowls that fix to the side of the cage. For example: PINVNBY Parrot Food Water Bowls Bird Feeding Dish Cups Budgie Feeder with Clamp Stainless Steel Canaries Perches for Macaw Conure Lovebird Finch Small Animal 5 Pack amzn.eu/d/d9roC3eYou can get them in various sizes if you search.
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Jan 25, 2023 19:39:13 GMT
Also make sure you have 2 dishes so they don't have to share and don't fight over the food.
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