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Post by criswell on Nov 6, 2023 11:45:31 GMT
My litttle flock is currently having a crisis and I'm really not sure what to do.
The boys have been getting along quite well, with minimal interaction between Dexter and Rito. On Saturday night I was little concerned though as Aster had his foot on Dexter's chest when they were beak bashing but Dexter didn't seem alarmed.
We had to go out for a few hours yesterday afternoon and when we got back Aster was out of the cage and the other two were preening inside. That didn't seem odd. Then Aster went in the cage and there was some kerffufle and he came flying out. I didn't see what happened though. Then the same thing happened a couple of minutes later, again when I wasn't looking. Then for the next 4 hours, almost non stop, Dexter and Rito were following each other round the cage with almost non stop beak bashing and feeding. They only stopped for food breaks. Aster spend most of the time outside the cage but when he went in, Rito chased him away. As Rito started to tire, Aster was able to spend a bit more time in the cage, and when Dexter finally calmed down they all settle down in the cage and got up on their swings for bed. I'm amazed at Dexter's stamina. Rito was practically falling asleep when Dexter was still going strong.
So far this morning things are no calmer. Aster has been part of the action now and has been chasing Dexter, flying at him and chasing him off his perch in the cage and around the room. He chased Dexter and Rito out of the cage and sat there singing with his chest puffed out. Dexter and Rito carried on with their relentless beakbashing on the outside of the cage. Then Aster was sitting on the roof while the other two went inside. They were briefly all in the cage until Rito chases Aster away.
They've all been gripped with budgie madness. I'm not sure if I should just leave them to it or if I should temporarily remove someone. I have no idea who I would remove even if I wanted to. The current situation is chaos. I assume it's some sort of dominance thing or Aster and Rito competing over Dexter. I hope they get themselves sorted out soon.
Any advice is gratefully received.
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Post by Loz on Nov 6, 2023 12:11:30 GMT
Gosh, that was a change of pace, Criswell. The only thing you know for sure about budgies is that you never know for sure what will happen.
I have no doubt you'll get excellent advice but I will add my opinion to whatever is forthcoming. Based upon my experience, I am hands-off with this sort of behaviour ad let them sort out their own rules of behaviour. There are exceptions though.
If one of the budgies involved is vulnerable - due to reduced/ill health, poor flying skills - or if someone is actually getting hurt. I will intervene. My preferred method for preventing actual harm is the use of a "squirter". A gentle spray of water directed at the feet or backside of the offending budgie breaks their concentration without endangering anyone and importantly, without frightening nearby budgies who are doing nothing wrong. I find that once some aggro has started, budgies tend to take it too far and it's important to focus their minds on "something else". Since you're not sticking your hands into the situation, you aren't terrifying innocent bystanders. I've never had to physically separate budgies due to aggressive behaviour.
To re-iterate though I prefer to let budgies sort their own disagreements wherever possible - and safe.
Ironically, there was an altercation here whilst I typed this post. Eeyore & Mr Hibs were on a perch together (they've not been getting on too well recently). Eeyore was swearing at Hibsy and Hibsy was threatening to bite at either Eeyore's chest or feet. There were harsh words, Chocobo flew in to yell at them both and a couple of other budgies started to move in, too. Eventually, Eeyore flew off and the situation calmed down.
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Post by criswell on Nov 6, 2023 12:34:43 GMT
Thanks loz . I'll find the spray bottle and have it ready just in case. Apart from a squirt there isn't much I could do to intervene even if I wanted to. I've not seen anything especially agressive, and they all stop what they are doing and look at me if I catch their interst and they think there might be some millet on offer. I'm hoping Dexter and Rito will calm down soon. Maybe it's a week of stored up interaction all coming out at once. I'm qutie disappointed with Dexter, changing his allegiance so easily but I can't blame him for enjoying being the centre of attention. And I can't really blame Rito either as he's been on the outside looking in for a week. Dexter just came and sat with me for a minute and I held out a bit of millet to Aster and Rito and they shared it. Then they were happy to sit up on the curtains next to each other, so it does seem to be a contest for Dexter's affections. Sorry to hear Mr Hibs and Eeyore aren't getting on so well. I'm glad the situation calmed down quickly.
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Post by Loz on Nov 6, 2023 12:39:27 GMT
I don't think you have anything too much to worry about, Criswell. Unless things take a turn for the worse - a very unlikely and uncommon development with budgies - your boys will achieve an equilibrium.
I often tell Mr Hibs off for picking on Eeyore. "He's your best and oldest friend, Hibs! Be nice!", I tell him. Of course Mr Hibs will come back with, "Loric is my best and oldest friend!" which is a complete lie but that's Hibsy for you.
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Post by criswell on Nov 6, 2023 14:17:53 GMT
Thankfully they calmed down for a lunch break. Rito and Aster had a meeting on top of the cage and Aster had some very cross words for Rito, who sat quietly and listened. Then when Rito went back in the cage he sat on the highest perch just below Aster on top of the cage and Aster sang to him. Rito is trying to get some beak bashing going again but Dexter isn't joining in. Aster is leaving them to it and chewing a toy on top of the cage.
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Post by skysmum on Nov 6, 2023 14:28:31 GMT
A close watch criswell , hopefully things will sort themselves out but it may come to choosing one friend for Dexter. The thing is, in a big flock things tend to work themselves out but it can be quite intense with just the three. I worried about this with mine and I don’t know if it’s because I have one hen in the mix it seems to work. So is it that Dexter is preferring Rito or are Rito and Aster both wanting to be besties with Dexter?
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Post by criswell on Nov 6, 2023 14:52:59 GMT
It's really hard to say skysmum. At the moment Rito and Dexter are very full on with each other and Rito is stopping Aster getting close to them so Dexter isn't really getting a chance to talk to Aster at the moment. After Aster agressively flying at Dexter and chasing him off his perch a few times this morning, I think Dexter is a bit wary of going near him even if he did get the chance. It's quite manic the way Dexter and Rito are interacting, much more full on than the interactions between Dexter and Aster. Hopefully they will get it out of their system and all settle down again If they don't settle down then I will choose one friend, in discussion with Ira, although currently I'm not sure who that friend should be. Rito and Aster just had a nice little chat while chewing some broccoli while Dexter was on the other side of the cage so it does seem to be all about Dexter. Just now Dexter was on top of the cage, Rito was on the curtains and Aster on the speaker. At the same time they both flew down on to the cage and all three were circling around on top of the cage until Rito chased Aster away. I'm keeping a close eye on them. I got my chores done before I woke them up but will have to leave them to get on with it when I start teaching at 4pm. I'll only be in the next room so will be able to come straight in if I hear anything concerning.
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Post by skysmum on Nov 6, 2023 15:17:07 GMT
Hmmm, hopefully in a couple of days or so you should get a measure of things. It could be they are just sorting flock dynamics out, I know I had a bit of this in the beginning with mine but not quite so full on. It’s a shame because Dexter and Aster were getting in so well. It’s a suck it and see situation atm I think.
Re the choosing, if you have to, I would remove Rito and Aster separately for a couple of days to see which works better with Dexter, hopefully it won’t come to that 🤞
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Post by criswell on Nov 6, 2023 16:57:44 GMT
I hope it won't come to that too skysmum. It's so strange how the dynamic changed over night like it did. And like always with things like this it happened when no one was here to see so I've no idea if Dexter and Aster had a falling out or what happened. I'll keep the spare cage ready in case I need to pop someone in it.
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Post by Loz on Nov 6, 2023 18:06:12 GMT
What have you done, Criswell?
Squeak has been hideous this afternoon, picking fights with everyone. I had to encourage her to spend some time alone. She'd even tried to pick on Boba! After her timeout she was calm for a bit but then she had a pop at Smudge. The whole Flock is disgusted with her.
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Post by Loz on Nov 6, 2023 18:26:36 GMT
I have had to isolate Squeak! She's cleared out half of the Nighttime cage, bullying several other budgies in the process and I figured she'd like to be alone. So I closed the door, slid in the divider and her wish has come true. I've never had to separate a budgie because of a behavioural issue before and I'm blaming Criswell for all of this.
My only concern is, what if I don't feel like letting the actual madam out again?
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Post by criswell on Nov 6, 2023 20:03:03 GMT
Oh no! There must be something in the air. I hope Squeak will behave herself tomorrow. I had no idea the budgie madness could spread via the forum Rito and Aster just had a lovely quiet moment on the outside of the cage, with gentle beak touching and quiet chatter. Then Dexter and Aster had a similar moment inside the cage, before Dexter and Rito got back to it again and Rito chased Aster out of the cage! Hopefully we're moving in the direction of calm. I hope the increased harmony gets transfered to Squeak through the forum too.
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Nov 6, 2023 20:21:27 GMT
Sorry for all the budgie problems with not getting along but as an outsider, I giggle at their antics!
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Post by Loz on Nov 6, 2023 20:37:00 GMT
My crew is over an hour late to bed. Still going strong!
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Post by skysmum on Nov 6, 2023 20:43:47 GMT
Trouble at mill 😂
A few years ago I had two boys rolling around the floor full on fighting over a hen, it wasn’t pleasant. Time out cage was often in use 🤦🏻♀️😁
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