Looking for some advice

[Holly the U2]

I have a 5 year old female Umbrella (Holly) & a 8 year old male Moluccan (Stewie), they have been with me for two years now. They are housed in a 80 x 40 double cage, I currently have the divider in place. I would like to remove the divider so they can share the whole cage, when they are out they share a Java Tree & for the most part do pretty well sharing it.

Stewie is what I would call submissive, he'd rather jump off the perch then to fight with her.

Any advice from owners that have two birds share a cage would be great.

 

[labell]

M2 males during breeding season can be highly unpredictable and there have been plenty of cases where males have killed females even long time mates because the female was not responsive to the males sexual advances.

Letting them hang out together on a stand is one thing because there is a means for the female to escape but locked in a cage together if you are not there 24hrs a day to supervise is not something I would risk. I would just keep the divider in.

Added: There are actually M2 and U2 hybrids so I wouldn't want to take that chance either.

 

[Holly the U2]

I'm not looking to breed them (although the Mobrella is one of the most beautiful birds I've ever seen) the funny thing is he shows no interest in her at all.

 

[labell]

I'm not looking to breed them (although the Mobrella is one of the most beautiful birds I've ever seen) the funny thing is he shows no interest in her at all.

It is not breeding season yet (between Dec and March) and he is just now reaching the age of sexual maturity for a M2, she is not old enough and it could cause issues.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

I have Caiques and Conures [that like each other on playstands] Sometimes I think of having them in the same cage . I think against it when they start irritating each other[they need the break]. I had 2 bonded Macaws in one cage . Same thing [they seemed to need time apart]. Its almost as if one takes on the bully role. I would feel bad if it caused stress to my other one.

 

[SoCalWendy]

I think you got some really good advise. Why take a chance and possibly ruin a good thing.

 

[Bandespresso]

I'd leave the divider definitely. Mobrellas are beautiful but completely imbalanced and unpredictable (I have a nasty scar from one). Breedable birds housed together=babies.

 

[Kiwibird]

I too think you should keep the divider. Domestic birds need their "own" space, even if they are good buddies and get along well in "communal" areas.

 

[Holly the U2]

I think you got some really good advise. Why take a chance and possibly ruin a good thing.

yeah, after the advice everyone gave, i'll leave the divider in