Help with decision to separate birds(long)

Joann46

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Feb 18, 2010
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I have two greencheek conures.One was a rescue, she is around 10yrs old possibly older.Ive had her for almost 2yr now and she still hates me(hates woman in general)I dont mind, she is who she is.The christmas before last I was given a little 5mnth old greencheek.I thought how great for our poor Gabby, she hates me and my hubby is not interested in her although she loves him.So she needed a buddy.
Well at first they loved each other.Preened each other and got along.But now our younger gck is very bossy and bites her wings and tail feathers(they are looking scraggly).He pushes her around and chases her around the cage on occasion (btw I dont know the sex of either) But at night they sleep cuddled up and do preen each other.I had to put two food and water dishes at different hieghts so Gabby would be sure to get food etc.IDK if I should take Little guy out or not, without him she just sits there and doesnt do much.She was kept in a small cage with no toys before we got her so maybe she just never learned to do anything.She was let out occasionally as her wings were clipped.
Our Gabby rarely comes out of the cage even when its open, she always sits in the back looking depressed, she did this even before we got the Little guy....How can I make her happy???? She only plays with her bell toy or paper cups and wont touch the other toys, isnt very curious either.
BTW the cage is huge something like 36tall x 24deep x 36 wide with lots of perches, snuggly tents, toys etc...
 

Stacye and Tiki

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Yellow-sided Green Cheek Conure - Tiki, Green Cheek Conure - Dexter
If there is any aggression I would seriously consider seperating them. Maybe put them in a cage near each other and allow them supervised play time. That could draw your first GCC out of her cage if she's lonely!

Does she take treats from your hand at all? What is her diet like? Lots of things could contribute to your original GCC's standoffishness (I made that word up... yup).

Have you ever tried sitting next to her cage and reading to her? Sometimes it takes months or even years for a bird to come around. It just takes effort on your part don't give up on her yet!
 

Auggie's Dad

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Dec 28, 2007
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Auggie: Dusky Conure
Can you get your husband interested in the older one? If not have you considered finding her a new home? I know that's a tough decision, but they need social interaction - if she will not interact with you she should be allowed to find someone else.

It doesn't matter how great you make her cage, that's no life for a parrot.

I hope this doesn't sound harsh, it's not meant to be - rather I'm curious if you have considered this option.
 
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Joann46

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Feb 18, 2010
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Okay to answer your questions.When I first got the older one she was eating seed mix from walmart.I have switched her over to Zupreem pellets completely and fresh salad/fruit.
Ive tried everything to make friends.I talk to her all the time but now its hard as our Little Guy gets jealous and chases her away.She will take sunflower seeds from my hand and has from day one.But if she is in the cage if I try to coax her out she will run away and hide in her snuggle tent.If she is outside the cage she will draw blood so I use a stick and she steps up nicely...She has deliberately landed on my shoulder in the past and bite a chunk out of my face.If I put my finger in the cage she would bite it..Ive only been nice to her and patient.She loves my 8yo son and will preen his hair and nibble his face and step up for him but then she suddenly bites hard sometimes(no blood but hard) so my son is kinda scared of her now.
My dh doesnt like animals that much at all....I have considered rehoming her.IDK she has been shifted around so much I just hate that she might go to another home that wont like her........I havent met many men that would put up with the stuff she dishes out and still like her.And going to a woman is out of the question..Basically I doubt there is a home out there that is good enough and that I could trust...As far as Im concerned she is here permanently unless the perfect match happened along and I thought she would be much happier.I guess I just dont know how to make that happen..She especially loves bald men..
I think I might just have to separate them.I have a huge double stacked cage that someone gave me.I think its a ferret nation but it would make a great bird cage.Or I could sell it and buy another cage like I have now.
The point is to make her happy..Maybe I have given up, I havent really been trying lately as I figured this is just the way its going to be...
 
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