Should They Live Together?

[Smokie'sRose 0]

Hi all! About a month ago I posted on the lost and found re: a beautiful little girl budgie who landed on our front doorstep (literally!). We put out fliers, letterbox dropped and doorknocked the area but a month later have not had any responses so it looks like we'll be adopting her We've had her in the separate cage for the last month a) for quarantine and because technically she's not ours and I didn't want to get her all set up and have Smokie (and us) get attached to her only to have her owners get in touch and want her back! My question is: would she be alright in Smokie's cage with him? He has a good-sized cage, so I'm not concerned about space. It's more whether boys and girls live happily together! I have no intention of putting in a nesting box or anything, so I'd hope that that would stop things getting too complicated, but would love any advice or tips on how to (or whether to!) introduce them as successfully as possible! Cheers in advance, Rose.

[robyn 0]

Hi Rose, if they have been in earshot of each other etc. I don't think you would have a problem placing them both in the one cage, especially since they are male and female. Hens could fight but a pair male/female are generally o.k,. he may put up a show of " it' s my cage" type of thing until they get used to each other. You could maybe place their cages next to each other for a couple of days to see how they react to each other. If she has been quarantined for a month I'd say go for it. No nest box no babies, they may mate but that will be the end of it.

[Smokie'sRose 0]

Thanks Robyn! I suppose we can close our eyes to a bit of hanky panky so long as we don't have to deal with unwanted consequences (that makes me sound like the parent of an adolescent daughter - which I'm not!) ;-) I've moved their cages next to each other and they've spent the last three or four hours chortling away to each other - well, Smokie seems to be doing all the talking, the girl budgie (we'll have to come up with a name for her!) is just sitting up against the side of the cage listening, so I take that as a good sign! Will keep you posted!

[Flip 0]

Hi Smokie's Rose. Robyn is absolutely right. It all should be fine. The only thing I would add is that when you move the female into Smokie's cage, do it on a day when you are at home and can keep an eye on them. There may be some initial squabbling but it should all be fine.

[Smokie'sRose 0]

Thanks guys. Smokie and Edna (the new girl in town) moved in together this morning and all's going well so far :-) It's a really warm day today so they're inside today, contentedly sharing a perch. When I first put her in with him there was lots of chatter and curiosity, Smokie puffed up his forehead and had a bit of a flirt but no bickering yet so fingers crossed they've hit it off without a hitch!