A PAIR OF KEETS
Increasing Your Flock Can Be a Touchy Situation If the introduction of a New Bird Isn't Handled Correctly.
The old adage that "birds of a feather will
flock together," may be easier said than done. Adding a new bird to a pet parakeet's cage is not as simple as opening the door and shoving the new budgie inside. Successfully increasing the avian population of your home takes some finesse, patience and a little know-how.
Parakeets or budgies are, by far, the most popular bird pets in the nation, so this article will focus on them – sorry canaries and parrots. Many people use the terms parakeet and budgie interchangeably, which for all but the strictest linguists is fine. Technically, parakeet is a term used to describe any of the smallest members of the parrot family. A budgie, or budgerigar, is a specific species that is native to Australia and is the most popular type of parakeet in North America and Europe. Anyway, the following applies to any of those adorable, brightly colored, curved-beak birds that chirp around your house.
In the wild parakeets live in huge flocks of hundreds, sometimes thousands of birds, so there is no reason that two or three cannot live in harmony in your home. The trick is in how you introduce the birds to each other and their new living arrangement. Before getting a second bird ask yourself whether it is a good idea for your lifestyle and what you want to get out of having pet birds.
If you find it hard to care for your first bird, don't bring in another parakeet it will require extra time and commitment. If you are away from home leaving your first bird alone for long periods of time, then a second bird may help the first budgie not to feel lonely. If you want to have a deep relationship with your pet then a second bird may detract from that bond.
A word about bonding, if you bring in two birds at once then neither of them will bond that closely with you.
Bringing in one at a time will help you develop a closer relationship with the birds, especially the first one.
Experts recommend bringing in one bird at a time so that you can establish a bond with the first bird.
Generally, two males make the better companions than two females or a mixed pair, but if introduced correctly any pairing should work.
If you already have the first bird settled in at home and want to bring in a companion for it there are several steps
that are recommended to ensure a smooth transition.
| 1. |
Choose a young bird as the second pet |
| 2. |
The new parakeet must be quarantined from the first pet to
ensure that no illness or parasites are brought into the home.
Keep the new bird in a separate room from the older bird for 30
days. This not only keeps are illness away from your first pet
but also gives you a chance to tame the new arrival and bond
with it before it can bond with the older bird. This will make
your bond with the second bird stronger than if you tried to
have the bird bond with you and the older bond at the same time.
Taming the second bird is important because two tame birds will
bond better with each other. |
| 3. |
After the quarantine period is over place the second bird's
cage near the first bird's cage. This will allow them to get
acquainted without any of the territorial disputes that arise
when they are both in one cage. Keep the cages next to each
other for about a week. If both birds are tame you can introduce
them outside the cages for a little bit each day. |
| 4. |
Once you think the birds are used to having each other
around it is time to introduce them into one cage. Obviously, it
should be the bigger of the two cages, or a new larger cage. In
either case, make sure that the cage has enough room for two
birds to do a little flapping around and to get away from each
other for a little alone time. It is a good idea to have two of
everything in the cage, especially if the new bird is going into
the older bird's cage. Have two food bowls, water dishes,
cuttlebones, mirrors, treat bars and an assortment of toys. This
way the birds will be less inclined to fight over anything. |
| 5. |
When you first put the two birds together keep an eye on
them. Make sure that they do not fight. First stand near the
cage and watch so that each bird is reassured by your presence.
Then, after they have spent some time together, move further and
further away until you are finally out of sight, but keep an eye
on them for awhile longer. If they get along from the start –
great, if they don't get along separate them again and gradually
allow them to interact a little each day until they do bond with
each other. |
If you do get two birds at once they need time to acclimate to their new surroundings, so unless they were housed together
in the same cage at the pet store it is best to keep them in separate cages at first. If they come from separate sources
follow the quarantine procedures and keep them in separate cages in separate rooms for 30 days. During this period spend time
with each bird, taming it and bonding with it.
In most cases these suggestions should result in a happy family.
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