Second galah to keep the first galah company?

Loubie · Mar 16, 2016

I have a female galah, between 10 and 20 years old. She is tame, and comes inside to play for about half an hour to an hour each evening.

I’m thinking of getting another galah to keep her company during the day, because we are at work/school all day, so she is alone a lot of the time. She is in a large aviary, with plenty of room for another bird.

Has anyone done anything similar and have any stories to share?
I'm worried about the birds not getting along, or possibly ruining the bond we have with our current Galah? But I also don't like the thought of her being lonley. I'm also wondering how much more work having a second bird is!

Thank you!

Jayyj · Mar 16, 2016

It's a roll of the dice, unfortunately. The best case scenario they get on well and keep each other company, and the worst they hate each other and the time you do have with them gets divided in half because they can't be out together. You won't know until you try it with the individual personalities.

I do sympathise. I weighed it up carefully and decided the time she has in her own when I'm at work is compensated for by the quality of time she has when I'm home, so I've kept to just having the one bird. Lots of others do make it work with multiple birds one way or another.

Loubie · Mar 16, 2016

Thanks for your reply Jayyj.
I hadn't actually previously considered a second bird. But my mum came across a very sad looking galah in a Tiny cage, who was up for sale having come from a deceased estate. She said he looked so sad, and she desperately wanted to rescue him from the tiny cage, with the idea of him keeping Whirly company.
Latest news is she has just picked him up and currently at vets having him screened for diseases.
So looks like I have got that second galah!
Hope it works out... Wish me luck!

plumsmum2005 · Mar 16, 2016

Don't forget to do a 'quarantine period' - better safe than sorry IMO.

Test results will take a while to come back and sometimes not 100% conclusive. If you are not sure what's involved please ask here or search, be pleased to help.

Sensibly it will give time to assess the new bird also. Get a feel for him, what kind of life is he used to. I couldnt just put mine out in an aviary, he is very people orientated.

You may have to do some food adjustments depending on what he's been fed on previously, can take a little while and some perseverance to get them onto a healthy diet which is especially important for RB2's as I'm sure you know.

Let us know how it's going though?

getwozzy · Mar 16, 2016

As jayyj said- it's a roll of the dice....I took in a second Galah last year and they do not get along... well, they get along enough to live peacefully in a divided cage but if they get near each other then there could be trouble....but that's like if one is out and she's climbing on top of the cage and starts stuff- so the two of mine require supervision at times.

Now, just because they don't care for each other doesn't mean they haven't benefited from one another's company..... there's less contact calling, less screeching, one has learned to play more, and one is overcoming some things.... so they've both benefited in some ways from living next to each other despite the fact that they could care less about the other lol

The other chance is that they'll totally adore each other and life will be grand lol

If you do decide to get a second galah, do it without expectations.....

plumsmum2005 · Mar 16, 2016

getwozzy said:
As jayyj said- it's a roll of the dice....I took in a second Galah last year and they do not get along... well, they get along enough to live peacefully in a divided cage but if they get near each other then there could be trouble....but that's like if one is out and she's climbing on top of the cage and starts stuff- so the two of mine require supervision at times.

Now, just because they don't care for each other doesn't mean they haven't benefited from one another's company..... there's less contact calling, less screeching, one has learned to play more, and one is overcoming some things.... so they've both benefited in some ways from living next to each other despite the fact that they could care less about the other lol

The other chance is that they'll totally adore each other and life will be grand lol

If you do decide to get a second galah, do it without expectations.....

Great quote getwozzy and couldn't agree more.

I have a touch of MBS but cannot go there unfortunately, not without being unfair.

getwozzy · Mar 16, 2016

Thanks! I think that's where some folks get themselves into trouble- they get a bird with a set of expectations of the bird or the situation and the complete opposite happens and then the bird or owner (or sometimes both) suffer in some way.... so it's best to go into things without expectations.....it's hard to do that, but that's where the unconditional love thing sorta comes in to play as well

plumsmum2005 · Mar 16, 2016

getwozzy said:
Thanks! I think that's where some folks get themselves into trouble- they get a bird with a set of expectations of the bird or the situation and the complete opposite happens and then the bird or owner (or sometimes both) suffer in some way.... so it's best to go into things without expectations.....it's hard to do that, but that's where the unconditional love thing sorta comes in to play as well

You're welcome!

Exactly and probably why I come out on here as a bit negative to these sorts of questions. Rose tinted specs are OK in their proper place, not concerning bird ownership IMO.

Loubie · Mar 16, 2016

Vet says 'Frank' is in good condition and as long as tests come back clear, then 3 weeks quarantine. I haven't met him yet (mum took him back to her place for tonight), but she says he has been very amiable and affable throughout the whole ordeal!
He is a little overweight. Im guessing he was on a seed diet, so I'll have to change him over to pellets

plumsmum2005 · Mar 16, 2016

Loubie said:
Vet says 'Frank' is in good condition and as long as tests come back clear, then 3 weeks quarantine. I haven't met him yet (mum took him back to her place for tonight), but she says he has been very amiable and affable throughout the whole ordeal!
He is a little overweight. Im guessing he was on a seed diet, so I'll have to change him over to pellets

Hi and hello to Frank lol.

That's good he's a happy fella. Re overweight issue and seed diet, please be aware that he is at risk of fatty liver disease, RB2's are prone to it and they love their seed! I guess you also feed fresh veggies/chop/sprouts to your own RB2 already.Frank seeing your RB2 eat will help with the change over to a healthier diet IMO.

2greenconurestostart · Mar 16, 2016

Excited for you and the new addition. Looks like you rescued him!

I hope you keep us updated!! praying for great results.

Loubie · Mar 16, 2016

Well Frank talks and whistles, but if I put my hand near his cage to pat him he shies away, poor chap. He may need time to learn he is safe I guess..

plumsmum2005 · Mar 17, 2016

here's a useful link

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

Loubie · Mar 19, 2016

Well there's been a bit of drama.. Poor Frank has been too & fro'd to the vet a couple of times- his psittacosis test came back positive, but also the control test was dodgy, so the vet thinks it may be a false positive, because he looks like he is in good condition and not showing signs of illness. So he went back today for a re-test, and we don't get results for a week and a half. In the meantime I am having to be really careful to make sure Whirly my galah or any of my chickens don't get it :-/

JerseyWendy · Mar 19, 2016

Oh my goodness, what a fright! :11: Here's to hoping the test was indeed a false positive!

I'd be terrified, especially because it's transmittable to humans, too.

Pneumonia | Psittacosis | CDC

Loubie · Mar 19, 2016

I know! Im REALLY hoping it was a false +ve
Annoying to have to wait so long for results. For some reason it needs to be sent to Scotland?! (i am in Australia)

plumsmum2005 · Mar 19, 2016

Hi Loubie, what a to do?

Obviously hoping it's a false + too. Assume you have been adhering to strict quarantine and hygiene practises to protect your girl. The last thing you need is to have to go through it all again.

I did have some reservations concerning Frank being from a deceased estate in a tiny cage? Are you able to get any more information concerning his past in light of this test result. A bit more meat on the bones can help so to speak especially if these results are not ever conclusive.

Fingers crossed for you and really appreciate your update.

Loubie · Mar 20, 2016

Vet is sure it was a false +ve because he is in such good condition. But I am definitely sticking to strict quarantine & hygiene practices until I know his result for sure. Results back on Wednesday week. Will let you know! Thanks for everyone's advice & opinions

.
He is seems such a lovely chap. He likes talking to me through his cage, but is frightened if I put my Hand in (to change food or water).
I look forward to working on building his trust and hopefully eventually having him sit on my shoulder when this is all over!

Loubie · Mar 21, 2016

I'm already glad! They are in separate cages a few metres apart, but are already interacting a bit. Yesterday they were both talking. They sounded for all the world like they were having a conversation, except of course it made no sense whatsoever haha! What a delight

.

psychocircus91 · Mar 21, 2016

getwozzy said:
As jayyj said- it's a roll of the dice....I took in a second Galah last year and they do not get along... well, they get along enough to live peacefully in a divided cage but if they get near each other then there could be trouble....but that's like if one is out and she's climbing on top of the cage and starts stuff- so the two of mine require supervision at times.

Now, just because they don't care for each other doesn't mean they haven't benefited from one another's company..... there's less contact calling, less screeching, one has learned to play more, and one is overcoming some things.... so they've both benefited in some ways from living next to each other despite the fact that they could care less about the other lol

The other chance is that they'll totally adore each other and life will be grand lol

If you do decide to get a second galah, do it without expectations.....

Great response. parrots can certainly benefit from other parrots' presence as they are flock animals. Even if they are not making direct contact when unsupervised, there is certainly interaction occurring.

Second galah to keep the first galah company?

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