I am hoping I will be able to get a bigger cage and another budgie this weekend. I have my heart set on a green opaline

 

I have 2 boys at the moment, who don't get along very well. If I do end up with another budgie, would it be best to get another boy, or would a girl upset the balance too much?? I will get a fourth one down the track, I like even numbers, but my chances of taming them I think are greater if I get them one at a time...

Well first what do you mean they don't get along? I know Bobby is pretty tamed how about Sunny? I wouldn't introduce anyone new until you worked out the issues with these two. Bringing in another bird could just cause more conflict male or female (could cause more because of wanting to possible breed or bond).

Sunny is tameish - will go for a ride on my shoulder and step up when he has too, but is very independant, and has no bond with anyone or anything. He is quite the bully with Bobby and shoos him away from food, toys etc... They are in seperate cages because both of them don't have a cage big enough for the 2. I am hoping that space is an issue and when they get together in the bigger cage Sunny won't be as much a bully - I do doubt it though, as even during flight time Sunny pushes Bobby away....

Have you talked to Bea about this situation too? Because I know she was saying Ozzy was bullying Blinks around and it took awhile for her to put them in the same cage?

 

So are you wanting another budgie to help the situation or just another one? Just asking so I understand where you are coming from

Perhaps a bit of both - I want another budgie but I also think Sunny might benefit a bit more as he is so reserved... Right at this moment they are both in Bobby's cage asleep on the top perch (I leave their cage doors open during flight time and they help themselves) Sunny will preen Bobby but he doesn't preen Sunny. They get along probably 85% of the time, just when food & toys are involved. I just read another post by Rainbow regarding Vippins birds, and she likened their behaviour to 2 toddlers - that exactly described my boys... Sunny doesn't want something unless Bobby has it.

Edited August 18, 200618 yr by Riebie

(Laughing out loud) so it is not that they don't get along they just act like sibling.

The preening this is common for just 1 to do it and not the other. Pretty will preen Merlin but not reversed. I know Bea says the same with Blinks and Oz. Pretty is hyper maybe it is a recessive pied gene (Laughing out loud).

 

Have you tried 2 separate food bowls? I did that and it helps because my boys were doing the same thing. Pretty being the more aggressive one again and Merlin falling from the food bowl to the ground. So 2 bowls and bigger bowls where they don't have to crowd into the bowl has really helped.

 

I believe a bigger cage will make the difference. I would first get the bigger cage and make sure it is good for 4 so you can get more when you are ready. See if this makes the difference and then proceed :hap:.

 

check out my siggy you can see the Pretty is boss man

I have 3 males and a female and they all share a cage and time out together. I think if you get a female that you will know what bossy really is .. (Laughing out loud). Really I think it comes down to the individual birds if you want a female -- get a female you'll probably find it easier to find a female opaline anyway.

I learnt about 2 seperate food bowls long ago :hap: and 2 seperate millet sprays 2 seperate honey treats (only once a month) 2 seperate cages with identical toys in both

 

okay - typical siblings!!! Thanks!! So would throwing another bird in the mix make it worse do you think? I was hoping I would be able to get one at this bird show this weekend..

are you saying that us females are bossy