I have recently introduced Hera to my other budgie Zeus, they share food,kiss , groom each other and hang around alot together and hate being away from one another BUT when she goes near his toys(i even bought new toys and moved his favourite toys) he gets very dominant and pecks her and she makes a cry like noise and she flies away...he seems very bossy...is this normal or is there anything i can do? i tried putting him in another cage near her but they both got upset....

Edited March 4, 200817 yr by kristy

Hmmm... I don't think Zeus would be hurting Hera. he sounds like he is just bossing her around and not sharing (sounds like my 2 toddlers (Laughing out loud)) Perhaps double up of the toys so they have one each and nothing to fight over hehehe

He is not being dominant but protective over his toy and I would remove it before he gets too protective and hurts her. Mirrors, bells and anything reflective budgies can tend to start protecting. Make sure you also rearrange the cage around at least 1x a month it helps with the protective "it is my toy" behavior.

Edited March 4, 200817 yr by Elly

Hi Kristy,

 

I am with Elly. You need to take out all of his favourite toys and replace them with new ones. You should re-arrange the cage every couple of weeks anyway to keep it interesting. Eventually, when Zues settles down a bit, now and then you can add back some of the toys.

 

 

Feathers

So I guess a " time out " or a good stern talking to, or putting Zeus in the corner is not the answer ?

i changed the toys, even got new ones but nothing seems to be helping i was watching them alot today and its not just the toys, its food, my attention, everything really he seems to try and peck her and push her to one side of the cage forcing her to fly off somewhere else...i wish he wouldnt be like this

I am experiencing the same problem..

 

I have had Sherbet for over 6 months, and Fizzy just on 2. When l introduced the two (and still now) Sherbet is taking charge.

 

Not 24/7 though, only when l put something "new" in, something that wasn't there before - Sherbet takes control straight away, pecking and going angry at Fizzy whenever he comes near.

 

I have put it down to a number of things - she was always spoilt, she is an aggressive bird, and she probably believes that because she was there first and she knows it. She is also older and bigger.

Sorry to hear about this... can you put them in separate cages next to each other. I know you said they get upset, but maybe it's needed for now. You could introduce them gradually. Allow them to have out of cage time together, leaving their cages open and see how they go. Hopefully one day they will be able to live together... but time might be needed before that is a viable option? I hope I have helped somewhat. Good luck and keep us updated. Maesie xxx

Ladies, one important factor how big is the cage? Can you please post pictures of the set-up many times it is not that the birds don't get along but the fact that they don't have enough room even though we think they do we must remember budgies are nomadic in the wild and fly long distances. Good point maise brought up is time out of the cage do they have that every day? Also enrichment toys or foraging for food. It sounds to me that you have bored budgies that have nothing to do all day (not trying to be nasty) but almost all the time budgies will get along if in the right conditions.

 

Let us know

Hey there everyone,

 

They do get plenty of play time outside of their cage on their playgym or running around freerange around the house hehehe I have been finding that Zeus likes to be top dog in the cage but when they are out and about they are fine together unless i talk to them and zeus wants all the attention...he was first on the scene and hera came about a month ago..they are both very young still...

 

I change the toys once a week and give them plenty of treats and fresh veggies/seed/water...I'll post some pics for you all...Also Heras cerea has changed colour slightly too, is that normal?

 

 

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj115/g...s81/newcage.jpg

 

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj115/g...erazeuswalk.jpg

 

 

oh p.s i didnt clip Heras wing..the pet store did that before i got her and the cages set up is a work in progress

Edited March 6, 200817 yr by Elly
pics turned to links over the board regulations of 450x450

You have enough space but your cage should be arranged a little bit better and give them more things to do. They are probably fighting for the same thing because (not to be mean) it is very empty in there.

 

I have the same cage here are some suggestions.

 

1. Give them 2 water bowls and 2 seed bowls (1 bowl could be for greens first thing the morning) this will stop any food issues.

 

2. Take a long natural perch (I got mine from my tree that was not sprayed) and I put it all the way the length of the back of the cage. The perches you have are very short in length and don't give them space to sit at the same level so they are fighting for a certain perch. If you had a long perch they would have space to sit at the same level together. See they are not fighting outside of the cage because they are at each other level that is where they feel comfortable you are not giving them that opportunity in the cage.

 

3. I don't see a swing in there but add one or you can make one with branches budgies love swings you can put them on the sides of the cage.

 

4. Keep the middle open so they fly across with nothing hindering their path.

 

5. Next, take the rope perch and lower it to the middle just like you have it and then take other type of perch and do the same thing on the other side but even lower.

 

Give them the opporutunity to be at many different heights but giving them space to be at the same level does that make sense?

 

Then I would work on teach them to forage for food there is an awesome foraging article in the nutrition section written up by a member named eterri.

 

As for the cere changing on a female that is very normal and it could be partially too why you have this issues. She could be going into breeding condition and he is not taking the hint or whatever this doesn't mean you need to breed.

What you want to do is make sure they are covered at least 10-12 hours daily this will decrease the hormonal behavior and you can even increase it for 2 more hours for a couple weeks to snap them out out of it.

 

You are on the right track, you have the perfect cage but I believe with suggestion given it will help with the squabbling. Keep us updated, let us know what happens.

Edited March 6, 200817 yr by Elly

Your setup looks really good, a bit empty but they have plenty of space. You have 2 seed dishes which is great if they are fighting over the food!!

 

Hera is looking like a male in these pictures.... Is her cere Blue??? or is it just the photos????

Edited March 6, 200817 yr by **Liv**

That seed dish maybe too low, I saw that after I finished typing and did go back and edit budgies like to eat high up so if you higher that seed dish they will feel more comfortable eating from it. I know Merlin will not eat low at all only on the high dishes.

 

Here is anothr picture of Hera a female for sure Click Here

Edited March 6, 200817 yr by Elly

Thanks Elly for the advice I will be definately getting new perches for sure! They have a small pink swing but dont seem to like it that much for some reason..maybe i need to make a bigger one

swings they have to get used to if you can get a swing that has a thicker base no of the plastic or dowel swings and a longer one then you have a winner, I know my 2 didn't like any swing but the one I made. Merlin loves his swing and is more cordinated then Pretty was. Pretty never went on the swing until Merlin made it interesting for him. Now I do have a ladder that hangs down that Pretty always perched on it was a softer plastic like feeling but Merlin prefers his natural wood swing over everything else. .

You have an awsome cage!!! Elly and Liv have given some great suggestions. With a little renovation, I'm sure it will work out... with the swing, maybe buy/make two (exactly the same), so they can have one each. Keep us updated as I'd love to hear how they're going and to see their 'newly designed' cage

Hey Elly, Im having a bit of a no brainer moment Do you mean widthwise? or do you mean going all around the side and back of the cage?

 

 

(Elly) Take a long natural perch (I got mine from my tree that was not sprayed) and I put it all the way the length of the back of the cage. The perches you have are very short in length and don't give them space to sit at the same level so they are fighting for a certain perch. If you had a long perch they would have space to sit at the same level together. See they are not fighting outside of the cage because they are at each other level that is where they feel comfortable you are not giving them that opportunity in the cage.

I put it in the back of the cage the longwise does that make sense? I could take a picture if you need me too .

that would be awesome thankyou! yes i do have blonde hair

I will try and get one tonight

okay here is the back of the cage, sorry for the quality it was bed time for him and he wasn't pleased as you can see (Laughing out loud)

 

the left side of the cage and then it continues along to the next picture where Merlin is sitting

- you can see the swing I made too in the first picture.

Hey Elly

 

How many budgies would you put in a cage like ours? I would love to eventually get more...also if I have a male and female already is it wise to get another pair? or just a male or female? not sure how the cage/bird politics go hehehe...

 

Heres a new picture of the cage setup...lemme know what you think...they seem to absolutely love it

Hi Kristy,

 

As far as bird politics go, we humans worry about it more than the birds do... They really don't care if their cage mate is male or female!

 

In that size cage 6 - 8 can comfortably live. At a stretch, and if you give them out of cage time, 10. You just need to make sure there is plenty of perching room and enough seed trays to ensure they aren't fighting over who gets to eat and when.

 

 

Feathers

Edited March 17, 200817 yr by Feathers

Hi Kristy

You have the same cage as me, and I just have the 2 budgies in mine (like you - I may get more one day)

I am lucky enough to have lots of trees at home - gums, grevillias, banksias etc -and I grab some fresh foliage each day and fix it to the roof. My boys love to hang from the leaves, like a natural swing I guess. Also I hide little treats like bits of corn cob, broccoli, grated carrot etc around different places. Gives them a little treasure hunt.

I have the same exact cage I wouldn't have no more then 4 budgies (6-8 to me is pushing it and I think you would find you would have bickering issues). As if you should get another male or female I have read that having 2 males and 1 female can be better because females can bicker over 1 male or you can even it out and have 2 of each sex. Up to you.

Edited March 17, 200817 yr by Elly