Considering a second green cheek and have some questions

lexx510

New member
Mar 13, 2011
812
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Bay Area, CA
Parrots
Pineapple Green Cheek Conure
My girlfriend and I want to get a second green cheek conure. Our goal is to eventually home the two green cheeks in the same cage. Is this possible? We've had Guava for about a year now. We do have two cages, so keeping them separated during the quarantine period will not be an issue.

Does gender play a difference in how well the birds will get along? We'd prefer another female (assuming Guava is a girl) to prevent them from breeding.

Is age a factor in how well they get long? Guava is 15 months old. We're thinking of picking up another baby who'd be 2-4 months of age.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 

ZoeS

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Oct 4, 2011
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Our goal is to eventually home the two green cheeks in the same cage. Is this possible?

Yes it is, but if they bond really well, or you don't spend enough time with them one-on-one, you may find they decide they don't need you. Plan to keep them in separate cages and go from there. I have now started keeping my two conures in the same cage - they are buddies but by no means bonded, and are still happier to be out with us than together in their cage.

Does gender play a difference in how well the birds will get along? We'd prefer another female (assuming Guava is a girl) to prevent them from breeding.

I've heard that two females can fight but I don't know how true that is. I don't know the gender of either of mine and they get along swimmingly.

Is age a factor in how well they get long?

Individual personality matters more than age IMO. They might get along really well from the start, may just be friends, or they may hate each other. After I got my GCC, I got a Rose Crown Conure named Tristan. He and Libby DID not get along. She is bossy and he was just kind of a jerk so they'd end up in these awful fighting matches and we'd get bit hard separating them. In the end we exchanged Tristan for another RCC baby because Tristan hated everyone, including us, and we wanted him to go somewhere where he could just be a breeder bird or hopefully find a family he wasn't terrified of.

The new baby we got was much younger (just fully weaned) and he and Libby got on well. They have arguments sometimes, usually when Libby is wet. I guess he doesn't like the wet-rat look ;)
 
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lexx510

lexx510

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Pineapple Green Cheek Conure
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Our goal is to eventually home the two green cheeks in the same cage. Is this possible?

Yes it is, but if they bond really well, or you don't spend enough time with them one-on-one, you may find they decide they don't need you. Plan to keep them in separate cages and go from there. I have now started keeping my two conures in the same cage - they are buddies but by no means bonded, and are still happier to be out with us than together in their cage.

Does gender play a difference in how well the birds will get along? We'd prefer another female (assuming Guava is a girl) to prevent them from breeding.

I've heard that two females can fight but I don't know how true that is. I don't know the gender of either of mine and they get along swimmingly.

Is age a factor in how well they get long?

Individual personality matters more than age IMO. They might get along really well from the start, may just be friends, or they may hate each other. After I got my GCC, I got a Rose Crown Conure named Tristan. He and Libby DID not get along. She is bossy and he was just kind of a jerk so they'd end up in these awful fighting matches and we'd get bit hard separating them. In the end we exchanged Tristan for another RCC baby because Tristan hated everyone, including us, and we wanted him to go somewhere where he could just be a breeder bird or hopefully find a family he wasn't terrified of.

The new baby we got was much younger (just fully weaned) and he and Libby got on well. They have arguments sometimes, usually when Libby is wet. I guess he doesn't like the wet-rat look ;)

Thank you for taking the time out to address my questions, ZoeS. That was really helpful!

I plan on spending a lot of quality time with the birds (at least 4 hours/day during the week), so I'm not as worried about them going "wild" on me. My my concern is for both of them to get along, so that they could keep each other company while I'm at work.
 

ZoeS

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Oct 4, 2011
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Thank you for taking the time out to address my questions, ZoeS. That was really helpful!

I plan on spending a lot of quality time with the birds (at least 4 hours/day during the week), so I'm not as worried about them going "wild" on me. My my concern is for both of them to get along, so that they could keep each other company while I'm at work.

You are welcome! I had the same dilemma and questions when I was thinking of getting a second bird. Ultimately I am very glad that I did!

One thing I did notice was that it was harder to form a bond with the second bird. Toby is tame and friendly but he is quite happy to do his own thing, spending time on top of the cupboards or in the closet (we haven't put in the doors yet), then he'll fly back to me for a bit, then off to do something else, visit a cat (which is nervewracking), etc.

But yeah, they are all different. Tristan (whom I no longer have) hated Libby except for a few preening moments that were few and far between. If you have a lot of birds to choose from you could let your bird pick his/her own friend. I know this goes against quaranting rules and I did not do it myself but I think it is a good idea if you trust the breeder and their birds (especially if you go back to the same breeder for the second bird).

The real question is... are you ready for 2x the bird poop?? ;)
 
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lexx510

lexx510

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Pineapple Green Cheek Conure
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Thank you for taking the time out to address my questions, ZoeS. That was really helpful!

I plan on spending a lot of quality time with the birds (at least 4 hours/day during the week), so I'm not as worried about them going "wild" on me. My my concern is for both of them to get along, so that they could keep each other company while I'm at work.

You are welcome! I had the same dilemma and questions when I was thinking of getting a second bird. Ultimately I am very glad that I did!

One thing I did notice was that it was harder to form a bond with the second bird. Toby is tame and friendly but he is quite happy to do his own thing, spending time on top of the cupboards or in the closet (we haven't put in the doors yet), then he'll fly back to me for a bit, then off to do something else, visit a cat (which is nervewracking), etc.

But yeah, they are all different. Tristan (whom I no longer have) hated Libby except for a few preening moments that were few and far between. If you have a lot of birds to choose from you could let your bird pick his/her own friend. I know this goes against quaranting rules and I did not do it myself but I think it is a good idea if you trust the breeder and their birds (especially if you go back to the same breeder for the second bird).

The real question is... are you ready for 2x the bird poop?? ;)

I've actually been thinking about taking our bird with us, so that she could "pick out" her pal. Of course, I, too, have considered the quarantine issue. I will have to look further into it and run it by the breeder.

As far as 2x the poop - we've managed to potty train our girl, so hopefully we can do the same with the new one, lol!!
 

Akraya

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May 7, 2012
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Brisbane, QLD
Parrots
Misha - Yellowsided GCC
Guapo - Cinnamon GCC
Nimbus - Alexandrine
When I introduced my 2nd gcc to the 1st (7mths apart, both boys but didn't know at the time) they didn't get along at all, all beak fights and feet biting.
I got told that birds need to have their little beak fights (supervised-as long as they're not actually hurting each other) apparently this just lets them work it out, who's boss, not sure I don't pretend to be an expert!
They had a little beak wars and I left the 2nd flighted so he could fly off if he wasn't comfortable but they were fine and one day I got them sharing a plate of fruit and tada magic bond :p it was all quite funny after this initial shock of oh no they hate each other!
My advice would just be make sure you do all your intros in neutral territory, lots of praise and love and have lots of treats and baths or just things that they like, so they're more interested in all the fun things than 'who is this intruder!'
A 2nd gcc just brought about a whole new world of fun and crazy for me!
 
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lexx510

lexx510

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Bay Area, CA
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Pineapple Green Cheek Conure
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When I introduced my 2nd gcc to the 1st (7mths apart, both boys but didn't know at the time) they didn't get along at all, all beak fights and feet biting.
I got told that birds need to have their little beak fights (supervised-as long as they're not actually hurting each other) apparently this just lets them work it out, who's boss, not sure I don't pretend to be an expert!
They had a little beak wars and I left the 2nd flighted so he could fly off if he wasn't comfortable but they were fine and one day I got them sharing a plate of fruit and tada magic bond :p it was all quite funny after this initial shock of oh no they hate each other!
My advice would just be make sure you do all your intros in neutral territory, lots of praise and love and have lots of treats and baths or just things that they like, so they're more interested in all the fun things than 'who is this intruder!'
A 2nd gcc just brought about a whole new world of fun and crazy for me!

Thank you for the advice! It is much appreciated. Are you currently housing your birds in the same cage or separately?
 

Akraya

New member
May 7, 2012
352
0
Brisbane, QLD
Parrots
Misha - Yellowsided GCC
Guapo - Cinnamon GCC
Nimbus - Alexandrine
They were separate for a while just because I wanted to be sure there'd be no midnight assassinations... the first time Guapo (2nd) went into Misha's cage I was there watching like a hawk because he's a little territorial of his space, they were fine but I didn't let him sleep in there for another week or so but once I did they were sleeping on top of each other, so cute! Now they're best friends, they sleep in their little hut together and they each have enough space which is good.
Sorry that was a long response to your question.
TLDR - housed in same cage :p
 
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lexx510

lexx510

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Mar 13, 2011
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Pineapple Green Cheek Conure
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They were separate for a while just because I wanted to be sure there'd be no midnight assassinations... the first time Guapo (2nd) went into Misha's cage I was there watching like a hawk because he's a little territorial of his space, they were fine but I didn't let him sleep in there for another week or so but once I did they were sleeping on top of each other, so cute! Now they're best friends, they sleep in their little hut together and they each have enough space which is good.
Sorry that was a long response to your question.
TLDR - housed in same cage :p

Oh, I prefer long responses! Thank you!
 
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lexx510

lexx510

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Mar 13, 2011
812
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Bay Area, CA
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Pineapple Green Cheek Conure
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When I introduced my 2nd gcc to the 1st (7mths apart, both boys but didn't know at the time) they didn't get along at all, all beak fights and feet biting.
I got told that birds need to have their little beak fights (supervised-as long as they're not actually hurting each other) apparently this just lets them work it out, who's boss, not sure I don't pretend to be an expert!
They had a little beak wars and I left the 2nd flighted so he could fly off if he wasn't comfortable but they were fine and one day I got them sharing a plate of fruit and tada magic bond :p it was all quite funny after this initial shock of oh no they hate each other!
My advice would just be make sure you do all your intros in neutral territory, lots of praise and love and have lots of treats and baths or just things that they like, so they're more interested in all the fun things than 'who is this intruder!'
A 2nd gcc just brought about a whole new world of fun and crazy for me!

We recently adopted a second green cheek, Paulina. However, Guava has been bullying Paulina (the newcomer) anytime we let the two of them near each other. She tries to bite Paulina's toes, her beak, and even her eye. I am afraid she may seriously injure her and am reluctant to let the two of them interact at all. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 

baron1282

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Oct 20, 2012
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My wife and I are in the same boat. We have been talking about getting another conure for our guy.

We work all day sometimes and are not home, and we feel bad he has no one to play with or talk too. We think that another conure would be beneficial to his overall health.

We spend way more than two hours a day with him, but he just seems so board when were not here. I say that because I come home and all the toys and paper we put into his cage are not touched. I put paper for him to shred and a forging box with treats inside and nothing. It really irks us because we don't want him to be board. We figure a buddy would be the perfect solution to not only him, but the other conure we get. I wouldn't mind a breading pair, but I would have to really read up on it and ask the LPS if they would take them off my hands to sale if that happened. I have a good relationship with the LPS in my area (where I got my bird), and I see they really take care of their Birds. Not like some big chains I know. :-/ The pet store I go to actually have them out playing with them all day, not just locked in a cage without human contact.

As for your bullying problem, I would put their cages closer together (if you want them to bond) so they can see one another almost all the time. Also supervise their play time like you have been doing. It should eventually stop and they should become friends. It might just take a few weeks to a few months.
 
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lexx510

lexx510

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Mar 13, 2011
812
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Bay Area, CA
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Pineapple Green Cheek Conure
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My wife and I are in the same boat. We have been talking about getting another conure for our guy.

We work all day sometimes and are not home, and we feel bad he has no one to play with or talk too. We think that another conure would be beneficial to his overall health.

We spend way more than two hours a day with him, but he just seems so board when were not here. I say that because I come home and all the toys and paper we put into his cage are not touched. I put paper for him to shred and a forging box with treats inside and nothing. It really irks us because we don't want him to be board. We figure a buddy would be the perfect solution to not only him, but the other conure we get. I wouldn't mind a breading pair, but I would have to really read up on it and ask the LPS if they would take them off my hands to sale if that happened. I have a good relationship with the LPS in my area (where I got my bird), and I see they really take care of their Birds. Not like some big chains I know. :-/ The pet store I go to actually have them out playing with them all day, not just locked in a cage without human contact.

As for your bullying problem, I would put their cages closer together (if you want them to bond) so they can see one another almost all the time. Also supervise their play time like you have been doing. It should eventually stop and they should become friends. It might just take a few weeks to a few months.

That is exactly why we decided to adopt another green cheek conure, too. Of course, I am also ready for the possibility that they may never get along and will always have to be kept in separate cages. Two green cheeks are definitely a handful, but I love them both. I do hope that they get along so that they can keep each other company when we're not home.

I'm glad that you have a great pet shop near you - they are certainly rare. We also have a mom and pop pet shop that takes really good care of their birds. We take our gcc there for nail and wing clipping and board her there when we're on vacation.
 
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