Best age for a conure to accept a new flock member?

[Squeekmouse]

We're considering adding a second (AND FINAL!) bird to our little family flock. However, we want to make sure that our Yoda is able to adapt to a new addition. He's our first, so the most first and foremost thing for us to consider is how it will affect him.

Is there a best time in a conure's life for them to best handle a new sibling (of a different bird species)? We're wondering if it's best to do it while Yoda is still very young (he's not quite a year old), or if it's better for him to be a bit older and more mature... or if it really makes no difference what age he is.

Silly question perhaps, but I'm ok with asking silly questions.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Yoda, you so rock.

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.), you sound like a great parront.

Good luck to you and your overlord, whatever you decide.

Keep us posted!

 

[Sunnyclover]

I personally just added another member to our bird family making a total of 2 birds. I thought it was best I developed a very very strong bond with my 1st bird Ollie (sun conure) so that he would not end up bonding with my second bird and ditch me. Ollie was a year and 3 months when we got Finley or Finfin and he is lovingly called. Ollie tolerates Fin and Vive versa but they are (so far) not the best of friends but can be on a tree stand together and not fight. To me this is a good thing because it means they are both bonded to me. So far my plan has worked! So I would say in my experience have your bird for a year. Finley was 3 months when we got him if that helps.

 

[reeb]

In my experience younger birds are far more likely to get along. if there is no aggression, multiple birds (especially of different species) will sometimes just tolerate each other, as opposed to being the best of friends. It’s also very personality dependent. I was so scared introducing my cockatiel to my budgies, thinking that there would be aggression. However she is so mild-mannered and relaxed that she never reacts to annoyance with more than a small hiss. They really do just tolerate one another though.

If you are considering getting a different species, research a few of them to determine how well they tend to get along with your type of conure.

Good luck!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jce2005]

I personally just added another member to our bird family making a total of 2 birds. I thought it was best I developed a very very strong bond with my 1st bird Ollie (sun conure) so that he would not end up bonding with my second bird and ditch me. Ollie was a year and 3 months when we got Finley or Finfin and he is lovingly called. Ollie tolerates Fin and Vive versa but they are (so far) not the best of friends but can be on a tree stand together and not fight. To me this is a good thing because it means they are both bonded to me. So far my plan has worked! So I would say in my experience have your bird for a year. Finley was 3 months when we got him if that helps.

Funny, you got the same cage than I do for Pico ( GCC ). However, may I ask where you got the tree in the video "tree time" ? Did you make it yourself or did you buy it ?

Thx.

 

[Sunnyclover]

We bought it on Amazon.com actually. Just look up "java tree stands" and you should find it. It was not cheap so be prepared!

 

[Squeekmouse]

Once again, ParrotForums comes through with excellent info from wonderful people. Thank you all.

GalleriaGila, You're such a sweetheart. Thanks for the encouragement. I'll keep you all posted with what we end up doing and how it all goes.

Sunnyclover, you've been so kind to reply to my threads. Your experiences are particularly helpful to me because of our similar situations. I have to agree with JCE also, that tree stand is awesome.

Reeb, I will definitely continue to research the heck out of this decision. It does seem to be the common opinion (and common sense it seems to me!) that younger birds would adapt to a new family member better. I know there's never a guarantee, so we'll just have to do our best and hope we get lucky. Thanks!

 

[Sunnyclover]

You're welcome! I just remember being so scared to add a second bird to my family and not knowing which type of bird and didn't want Ollie to hate me ect. I wish I'd have has someone who just went through it to give me advice. ��