How to be sure my lovebirds like eachother?

[Pureblood]

Hey guys,

this week I got 2 new (young) lovebirds to keep my lovebird (Max, 2yrs) company after his sibling passed away.

They are in a big cage together, with a divider in the middle. The divider is also barred so they can groom and feed and interact through it. I am taking it slow and letting them all adjust to eachother before I remove the divider, if it takes weeks so be it! They have been together with a divider just for two days, so it's nothing yet.

I am just wondering what signs to look for to know that they're okay with each other and that it might be safe to remove the divider? I've heard that lovebirds can be quite a menace to one another and I wouldn't like my older lovie getting attacked by the new pair or vice versa.

So far there hasn't been any aggression shown over the divider. They are all interested in each other, and will approach and get close, except Max moves away when the older of the pair comes closer to him. She never charged at him or tried to bite him, so I guess he's unsure of her still, which is okay given that they had so little time together
However, they didn't have any actual contact over the divider yet.

As I said, I know patience is a virtue and that time is essential with birds, I won't force them into anything, just looking for tips

Thanks!

 

[itzjbean]

I would continue to keep the divider up until Max does not move away when the pair approaches him. It may take several more days but you seem to be on the right track with this. You don't want to force them, nor do you want to put any of them in any danger.

It never hurts to have an additional cage, just in case they do get into a fight and you don't have to worry about putting the divider back up and trying to separate everyone onto their sides. When they seem comfortable -- chirping back and forth to each other, no moving away when others approach, etc. then you can try removing the divider. But you should have a back-up plan (like an extra cage) in case it doesn't work and you need to act quickly.

 

[LordTriggs]

I would be careful about introducing a pair and a single bird, especially lovebirds. They're very jealous animals and one of the pair may decide to throw a tantrum over the "invader"

I'd keep the pair and the single one separate but allow them time out together when they get more comfortable so there's no competition over food ETC and so if one gets angry the others can get away easily

 

[Pureblood]

Thanks guys! I had them together for about an hour or two yesterday and they seemed okay, slept close but they won't let Max get too close. Didn't leave their side and put the divider back up when I was leaving the house.

Tomorrow I'll let them all out to play outside and we'll see Thanks!