I just lost my little guy, Michael. He was seven years old. I've been looking for another little budgie to fill the void he has left.

I was certain I wanted another male, but have found a female that I really like the looks of.

 

Are the personalities very different? Michael was very sweet, approachable, liked attention, and spoke words rather well. He was not a biter.

Can I expect the same behavior from a female?

Also, if I keep a single hen as a pet, will she still go through breeding cycles? Is it a monthly, bi-monthly, yearly thing? Will it be something she will "get over?" Or will she become depressed if she isn't allowed to breed?

This little baby is a nasty biter, and although I'm willing to work with her, I would like to look forward to the happy, social times that I had with Michael.

 

Thank you

I would definetley go boy. Hens are very bitey (one has drawn blood from me) , and I found that I can only properly have a relationship with a male ( ie. special traits, chirpy, tame)

BUT that said, a female can be tamed. Males are alot friendlier.

 

You may find she will lay eggs, but no she will not become depressed with not being able to breed. Males can also beomce a little... seeking of a mate ( humping everything) but they will grow out of it. It normally is when they are becoming sexually mature, so about 8 months or so. It does pass by one year/ 1.5 years.

 

I would go male

 

Males also talk better.

Edited August 7, 201014 yr by Squeak_Crumble

I would definetley go boy. Hens are very bitey (one has drawn blood from me) , and I found that I can only properly have a relationship with a male ( ie. special traits, chirpy, tame)

BUT that said, a female can be tamed. Males are alot friendlier.

 

You may find she will lay eggs, but no she will not become depressed with not being able to breed. Males can also beomce a little... seeking of a mate ( humping everything) but they will grow out of it. It normally is when they are becoming sexually mature, so about 8 months or so. It does pass by one year/ 1.5 years.

 

I would go male

 

Males also talk better.

 

 

Thank you, Squeak. I will keep looking

My hens ( not Marigold ) are more cuddly than my male. They kiss and step up when Chubba Chubs doesn't. I'm not sure if it is because I have handled them since two weeks old or if they are just exceptions. She wouldn't be depressed if not able to breed but you may find an egg or two. That is because she is comfortable and happy.

lol, as I have 15 Budgies and have handled both sexes. They both have their pros and cons. I have found out of the seven hens I have, all but one will bite. I get the job of handling the hens as the others don't like the biting that they do. Males also will bite if frightened but not as instinctively as the hen. As far as laying eggs, I have only have one hen do it to date. I have read and found that males are not as territorial as the hens and are easier to train as far as tricks and talking. If you want to breed you will need both of course lol. It is advisable if you want a budgie to bond with you, go with a male budgie. If you do add a second bird later, either the bird will learn from the first one,or the first bird will become less bonded to you and more to the other bird. Basically it all boils down to what you prefer in a Budgie, as either sex will bring you amusement,lol. Listening to a hen chirp away down the hall.

Thank you all for your advice! I will post pics when I choose my birdie.

Hi Gracegarden and welcome to the forum....

 

I believe it depends on the personality of the individual bird...

 

When you find a friendly one don't be put off because its female..... I have about 60 birds in my avairy and there are 2 hens that always come and jump on me when I'm in the avairy and they have never been tamed...none of the males do......

 

Good luck !

I agree with anne101, it really does depend on the personality of the bird. I've got 4 cocks and 2 hens, and neither hen is a real biter. In fact one of them is the gentlest of the lot when it comes to play biting with my fingers, she just gently nibbles away at my fingers and nails, while a couple of the males can get rough after a while.

 

I suggest just go with a bird that appeals to you. Even if she is a bit of a biter, don't let that turn you off if really keen on her.

 

Have fun picking your buddy!!!

I think that if you already know she is a "nasty little biter" then it's time to keep looking!