Introducing two parakeets!

[Volusia]

Hello, I am new (ish) to the forum and I know someone will be able to help me on this one!

Our new baby Alexandrine is now 6 weeks old and growing fast. We also have a 9 month old Derbyan who is relatively untame as yet.

What are your feelings about introducing them ? Obviously not yet for a while and equal obviously very slowly and carefully ! But do the two breeds generally get along ? As far as two parakeets will ever get along of course? The Derbyan is a female - the baby is ?? we don't know yet.

What do you think ? All help would be gratefully received.

 

[EllenD]

First off, it doesn't matter what species of parrots/birds you're talking about, it could even be 2 birds/parrots of the same species, doesn't matter, you can't ever guess whether they are going to get along with each other or not, nor what type of relationship they will have....It could go any way, from them bonding so closely they want nothing to do with you, to them hating each other so much that they try to kill each other every time they are out of their cages together...And everything in-between. And gender doesn't really matter either, you just can't ever know until they are introuced, and until they spend some time AROUND each other...They may never get along at all to the point they can't be out of their cages unsupervised, they may be okay out of their cages but have to be kept across the room from each other, they might just tolerate each other but not like each other, etc. No way to know at all...

As far as introducing them, the best way to start that process with any two birds is to just put their cages in the same room but across the room from each other, and just allow them to see each other and talk to each other for at least a week or two...Then under great supervision you can try to let them out of their cages together, but the second either of them shows any aggression you must separate them immediately...And just see what happens, always under supervision...The one thing you don't ever want to do is try to force two birds into getting along, it won't work, and it usually ends in a bad injury or a death...

The other thing is that their attitudes towards each other (and possibly you) are going to probably change when each bird goes through puberty and has sex-hormones...Your Derbyan is going to go through puberty soon, in a few months, while the Alex won't until around a year old...So when that happens with each bird you're going to have to once again be extremely vigilant when they are together out of their cages, and when either of them approaches the other's cage, as they tend to get extremely territorial once they hit puberty (if they aren't territorial already anyway)..

So just take it slow, and don't push it or try to force them, and never allow them together unsupervised...Hopefully they get along well enough that they'll be okay when they are both out of their cages with the people in the house (that too is a big issue sometimes, jealousy over the people), but you have to realize that they also may not ever be able to be out of their cages together, and you'll have to do separate out-of-cage-time with each bird every day...But allowing their cages to be across the room from each other so they can get to know each other for at least a few weeks is a great way to introduce them safely (once your baby Alex is in his/her first cage)...

 

[Volusia]

Thank you Ellen for that response - it was extremely helpful. I thought that would be the way to go and we are quite prepared for the process of separate out of cage time if necessary. It was just that I recently read somewhere that Asiatic parrots NEVER got on and it was not unknown for a female Derbyan to attack and kill another parrot especially at mating time!

It would be great if our two became friends but I daren't hope for much more than that !

One thing is for sure though, we love them both too much to take any risks

 

[GaleriaGila]

What Ellen said...!

Also, here's a link that many here find helpful on the general topic of adding birds...

Fortunately (unfortunately?) the Rb is so aggressive and territorial that I've never even dared to think of another bird...
Many here have found that they have to separate birds permanently... some have been fortunate and multiple birds get along.
You just never know! Never, ever.
Good for you for being so responsible and serious, and for reaching out!
I think that as long as you're willing to deal with whatever happens (e.g., separating them, if needed, handling added expenses, etc.), I know that you'll be a great parront to both.
Good luck!

 

[Volusia]

Hi and thank you for your response. We both love nature and all animals but I confess that I never imagined that birds could so quickly grab a piece of your heart ! We have had a major breakthrough this weekend with Poppy our 9 month old Derbyan who was not at all tame when we bought her 6 weeks ago!! She has now decided we are ok and steps up nicely most of the time anyway ! She also joins us when we are eating as she has recognised us for being a soft touch ! She is even making a credible attempt at saying her name .

So I think all our research is beginning to pay off.

Thank you for your advice x