Should I get Basal a friend?

[rae]

It's been a long time since I've been on here.

I would like to get opinions on getting my Basal bird a friend. 
The dilemma is that Basal has never been terribly tame. He will step up most of the time. He will always take food from my hand. But he really doesn't like leaving his cage and when I have him out he generally sticks to the outside of his cage. I set him up with toys and everything outside the cage and he gets loads of treats (healthy treats; veg and fruit). I routinely interact with him whether he's in or out of his cage. This has been the routine for the year and a half I've had him. I know it's his personality and he will never be a cuddly bird.


If I were to get him a friend I know it could have one or more results. That's one of the problems. If they don't get along I don't have room for two cages separated and I don't have the proper time to have one out for a time and then the other out for a time.

I would kinda like a new one to be a little more friendly, though that's probably really selfish. But it could also end up taking after Basal's attitude and then I would have two untame birds. This wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing except for if the new bird became terribly attached to the cage as well.

I have noticed basal just hasn't been as playful and active lately. I've changed out toys and rearranged things. I've done everything I know to give him more stimulation if that's what is missing. I work with him quite a bit. Some days when I get him out of the cage he will sit on one of the perches the entire time and sing a little, but otherwise do nothing. When I interact with him he doesn't respond to much. If I just talk to him he stops singing for a long time. We are in the same room together whenever I'm home, but when my husband is home he has his own room and never comes out.

So with all that said I'm more than a little afraid to attempt a friend right now. I'll also be going to Alaska for 2 months in the summer to be a research assistant and obviously can't take him with me. My husband...not the best with taking care of Basal. I know he will get food and water, but very little interaction. And that I can't do anything about because there have been enough fights about how I "nag", but it's taken months of nagging just to get him into the routine of food and water. It's like dealing with a toddler. I've showed him everything he needs to do, multiple times since we got Basal and the one time he has to do it alone I'll come home to it not done or done incorrectly to where I worry about Basal's health. It was even his idea to get a bird in the first place.

The position will pay for my tuition plus some for the next year and I really need this. It's not like I got Basal just before going.

Any ideas on this situation? 

[rose]

Personally, I'd much rather have two not-very-tame budgies enjoying each other's company (perfect description of Ian and Marshall!) than one lonely budgie, and it seems to me that the fact that you'll be going away for two months in the summer would be the clincher.

If you were to get Basal a friend now, there'd be plenty of time to get through the quarantine period, and hopefully they'd be getting on like a house on fire by the time you leave for Alaska.

I know budgies don't always get along (and why should they? I certainly don't get along with every human being!) but I'd want to give it a try and hope for the best!

[Hezz]

I am inclined to agree with rose's summation. Generally if budgies don't get on, they just ignore each other; very rarely does it mean that they come to blows - that usually only happens if there is a girl involved (just like humans!) Hopefully a little friend will add another dimension to Basal's world. As for the OH, is there anyone else you are able to rely on to do the right thing by the birds while you are away?? His attitude sounds very irresponsible, I have to say.

[rae]

We just moved here this past summer for grad school so I'm still getting to know everyone. I have talked to one of my fellow grad students, but she's not sure she will be here in the summer. Most of us apparently go home to their parents (I feel old, lol). My parents said they could, but their first meeting...I gave clear instructions about just talking to Basal, then putting the hand near the cage and let him get to know them. Well, my mom just immediately stuck her hand in and tried to get Basal to step up so she could yank him out of the cage. I'd fear for his life a bit more with them than my husband. Plus they are 6 hours away and not near an airport that could take me to Alaska.

There are a lot of factors

I do still have time to prepare everything and myself, because I wouldn't want to try to bring in a new bird until the semester is over in a few weeks. I also need to convince my husband that a larger cage is required because Basal's is definitely a one bird cage. He has plenty of room, don't get me wrong, but two birds would push it.

I do think you both are right. There's just a lot of fear on my part to get over.

[Hezz]

That is a shame. I really don't know what else to suggest.

[rae]

Okay, so it has been decided and a contract signed that my husband will take a larger role in the care of both birds. Mostly just to socialize with them because current Basal is really weary of him. Of course Basal is super skittish anyway, but I've worked so hard with him that he's fine with me most of the time.
I ordered a larger cage that should get here this week and then looking at budgies next week. I want to transition Basal into the larger cage and use his for the quarantine period before intros and hopefully the new bird moving into the larger cage as well.
I hope I'm doing everything right and have made the right decision. I love my Basal bird so I want him to be happy.

I don't know if I'll get a boy or girl. I want to check out their personalities and try to get one that doesn't seem aggressive with its current cage mates.

I truly appreciate you guys helping me and encouraging me.

[Hezz]

With Basal being quite a flighty bird, personally I would be looking at getting another male. Hens often are very dominating, not to say that Basal might not like that but it could be a bit too much for the poor timid little soul.