Budgies

Does my parrot need a companion?   by Kenneth Lewis

This is a question I have seen asked many, many times.

In this day and age where we are all so busy, many people have no option but to leave their parrot at home for extended periods of time in order to go to work.

It is easy to feel guilty about not spending enough time with your companion, but please consider the following points before you reach a decision on whether or not to get another bird as company for your own.

Hook bills and flat bills must never be put together. A Budgie for example, has no way of defending himself against the hook bill of a cockatiel.

!!!!Quarantine!!!!

This is an absolute necessity for bringing any bird into a home where another bird lives. In some areas, bird diseases are rife and many have no obvious symptoms. Most are airborne and the new parrot can also carry a disease dormantly which can show itself when the parrot is stressed and settling into its new home.

Even purchasing a bird from the same breeder/shop does not guarantee a healthy bird.

Quarantine as a general rule, is best to be 30-90 days. During this time your new bird should be as far away as possible from your own bird. Quarantining in a small apartment with air conditioning is practically pointless, for example.

Wash your hands and change your clothes between visiting each bird.

Obviously, your new bird will need its own cage and set up for this. Your bird cannot share anything at all with your new bird.

You must never simply put two birds together in the same cage – even after quarantine. It can and has been, fatal.

Watch the new bird very carefully for any odd behaviours, abnormal droppings or obvious signs of ill health. It goes without saying that a new bird should go straight to an avian vet before you bring him home!

So quarantine is over and your new bird has a clean bill of health – what now?

Start introductions very slowly. Cages may be in the same room but never force any interaction between your birds. Choosing a friend or mate is a choice for a bird, not a given and as a result there have been many an odd pairing! Sun conure and african grey anyone?!

By watching your birds body language it will soon become apparent when the time is right for outside cage introductions. Again, do not force the issue.

Bear in mind that your birds may not like each other and think about how you would cope. If your ultimate goal is to house them together, then this is an idea you have to dismiss and see it as a happy bonus should they decide to move in together!

Double the bird is double the cost. There is of course the initial outlay for an appropriate cage, food, toys, bowls etc. Also vet bills and most of all – time.

Double the play time (separate out of cage times for as long as it takes – maybe forever??), double cleaning, double the attention needed….

Even birds of the same species can have totally different requirements….could you cope?

It is most unfair to purchase another bird purely as company for another – even in separate cages. The new bird will have emotional and physical needs also and you will have to take the time to bond with him just as you have your first. You are potentially adding another family member into your home and he must be treated as such. If you feel you don’t have enough time for one bird, then you definitely don’t have time for two!

About the Author

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This entry was posted on Saturday, November 19th, 2011 at 10:02 pm and is filed under Budgie. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.