Posted October 17, 200816 yr Heya all! Long time no speak! An update on my special little guy, Scout. Still not 100% firm on his feet, but he is certainly an adorable little man! The vet says that he will most likely never be totally stable - we have been giving him calcium drops over the last 4-5 weeks and there has not been a noticeable improvement. The quarantine period is over, and he and Piccolo have been introduced. :happy-dancing: At the moment, until I get their new cage put together, I have their cages in the same room. They also hang out with my partner's two guinea pigs, Wombat and Chris. They all talk to each other during the day - it is really sweet. Piccolo is having a bit of trouble adjusting - he has always been a bit of a possessive birdy, so when he and Scout are together, he puffs up a lot and pecks Scout's beak. I think it is because Piccolo hasn't been around another bird for a while, and so he is reacting in the same way as when he pecks his bell in his cage (being a reflective surface, he thinks there's another birdy in there!) Scout started off being rather calm about it, but is now pecking back from time to time. He's a small birdy compared to Piccolo so it's probably the only defense he feels that he has! I'm hoping that this doesn't mean that they can't live together, but if anyone has any advice about how I can make this adjustment work for them both, that would be great! I love them both very dearly and would love to give them one big cage to fly around in! :bluebudgie: :grbud:
October 17, 200816 yr Here is what I wrote up for the FAQ and it worked for me. Here is a method that I have used and found to be useful when introducing a new bird to the existing flock. This method is primary to be used if you are introducing in a small setting (such a inside cage or a small aviary). Those who have large aviaries may have different methods since the situation is different. When I introduce Pretty to Merlin it was a gradual process. When quarantine was over these are the steps I took. 1. I first let them out together on top of the cage with complete supervision 2. I kept their cages side by side but not where they could beak fight or pick at each others toes. So about 2 inches apart 3. I then let Merlin go in Pretty's cage during the day supervised only 4. I then let Merlin go in Pretty's cage during the day unsupervised only after I knew that everyone body was settled. 5. After I knew the daytime unsupervised time was okay, I then housed them together. Now not everyone may do what I did but this is why I did this. When I first introduced them Pretty thought Merlin was a girl (he was a boy) and kept trying to jump on his back plus he was very hyper flirting like mad. Merlin kept refusing his actions of love :happy-dancing: and would do a lot of dolphin noises. I moved on to the next step when Merlin was doing so much dolphin "mad" like budgie noises and Pretty settled down. For me it took just a little under 2 weeks. Everyone is different some members can put their budgies in straight away (after quarantine is over) but I could not
October 17, 200816 yr Author Thanks for the advice, Elly! I did read some of this in the FAQ's and that was what prompted my current process in introducing the boys. The reason that I have been trying for "mutual ground" is because I still wanted them to feel safe in their current cages, given that Piccolo is a big lad compared to Scouty! However, I have gradually been introducing them to cage life together: Piccolo going into Scout's cage and vice versa on a supervised basis, and increasing the amount of time. I find that initially there is some pecking, but they settle down after about 15-20 minutes. They pretty much follow each other around. Scout does open and closes his mouth about 50% of the time (my understanding is that this means that he is a bit stressed), so would this indicate that what I am doing may not be working for him?
October 17, 200816 yr if he is doing a panting like motion he is stressed and yes whatever you are doing it not working for him, I do suggest using my method you will see that the birds will come around pretty quick.
October 17, 200816 yr Author if he is doing a panting like motion he is stressed and yes whatever you are doing it not working for him, I do suggest using my method you will see that the birds will come around pretty quick. Thanks Elly! I'll start from the beginning and gradually re-introduce. :hap:
October 17, 200816 yr It's great to hear from you again. Elly has given great advice so i just wanted to stop by and say hi :budgiedance:
October 20, 200816 yr Author Hi, welcome back it is good to see you Thanks! Good to see you too. I will upload photos of the darling boys as soon as I have the chance!
