Introducing 3yr old male to 18 mon female

[adamcornishtattoo]

Hi there guys. I firstly would like to say hi, my name is Adam. I have had budgies for like 18 months/2 years, I love them but I have an issue.

I have a female (18months duke) who has always lived on her own, recently my girlfriends nan had a stroke and asked us to take care of her budgie (3year old splash)

Duke used to be VERY friendly, she loved nothing more than a neck scratch and to sit in my hood. She became less friendly when we moved her as we wanted to be with her every night. Since she came to my house she has become far less social, she will never get on my finger and always tries to bite.

We thought she may want a friend so when we got offered splash that was ideal. Splash is very friendly, he talks and will sit on my hand no worries.

We have put their cages close to one another so they could see each other, duke was threatening him every time he came close through the bars. We left them like this for a couple of days.

Once she got used to splash being close we let splash out and duke bit his foot and made it bleed. This was quite upsetting for us and splash

The next evening we put him in his cage and let her out, he then flapped as if he wanted to come out. This actually went ok, after about 10 mins of her chasing him. We noticed it had gone very quiet looked over and they were both happy in his cage. She had found a toy she loved and was playing with that.

Then as we were watching them, she bit his foot again and made him bleed quite badly so we removed her from his cage and made sure he was ok.

(I am sorry for the long way round story)

My actual question is, have any of you had similar problems which have been resolved?

Any info on the issues we are having would be extremely appreciated as we want to keep both duke and splash but we do not have the room nor both cages.

We have ordered a larger cage which they can both live in if they make friends.

Please help.

Thanks

Adam

[Bird Junky]

NEW BIRD INTRODUCTION
Hello, Before introducing a new bird, quarantine it or them, in their own cage, in a separate room. Adding birds into a cocks cage is usually not a big problem but adding a new bird into a cage with a resident hen or hens, is something not to be taken lightly. Hens are usually very territorial & have been known to kill or injure new birds introduced into their space.
The way round this problem is to place both cages close together for a few days after the quarantine period & let them fly out together.
If they get on you can put them in the one cage, but prepare for the fact that they may never get on together in the same cage ...B.J.