[herbiesmom]

So I've Herbie for about 3 years, he is my first little green chicken, and I love him to death, but I was wondering if I should get him a buddy? His cage is located in the living room, near a window, we talk and pay attention to him all the time. (I used to let him live mostly outside of his cage when we lived in Baltimore cause he had his own room, but here in Delaware, he stays in his cage mostly, I only take him out when I'm home.
So I'm not thinking of a second to keep him company, but would he enjoy having another bird in the house? And can they share a cage? (I'd buy a bigger one...I've already got my eye on one in Dr.'s Foster and Smith catalog.)
Do "only fids" adjust well to an addition, or would he be resentful? And how to go about introducing a new birdie? Also, should I get a baby or a bird around his age? I look at Petfinder all the time, wondering if I should get a rescue, or go to a breeder. Any thoughts, ideas, or advice would be appreciated. Like I said, it's not that he doesn't get attention from us, but would he enjoy a "fibling?"
Thanks!
Kate

[RobertsKitty]

Just to clarify, you should NEVER get a bird for another bird. Only get another bird if YOU want that bird. It is very normal for the first bird to feel jealousy. If you don't want the new bird to only bond with your old bird you should plan on keeping him in a different cage. If you cage birds together they generally bond to each other and leave you out. Still IF your birds like each other it is possible to have them out and let them play together during supervised play times. Someone with alittle more knowledge will come along to add more.

[Nikki-n-Shane]

I agree on separate cages...they could hurt each other or bond with each other and leave you out. My quaker was very jealous when we first brought home our second bird. I didnt ever expect them to bond and that was okay with me. I got the second one because we wanted it. Now they get along enough to tolerate each other and to preen each other...other than that they really don't "play" together. They are in the same room and I though it would be nice during the day when we were not home so they could talk to each other...turns out..I put a video camera on them when I was away and they didn't make ONE peep the whole day lol. So who knows. But, remember...it is really twice the work having two. Good luck in your decision

[herbiesmom]

Ok,
I was just curious, cause I know in the horse world, horses do better when there is more than one. (I have three), so I didn't know if birds were the same. I'd love to get a blue quaker, they are so pretty...

[Siobhan]

I think it depends on the temperament of the animal in question. Our basset George was quite content to be an only child, though he adjusted when we got our Lab (he'd still rather be an only! ) while our Lab wouldn't like it at all if she didn't have George for a buddy. Clyde would much rather be an only than have to share attention with two dogs, and he's so very possessive I'm sure he would be furious if we got another bird (though I'd really like to!). You know your birdy best -- what do YOU think Herbie would do?

[am0z]

There isn't a soul on this forum that knows your bird and so there isn't a soul that can tell you if he'll do good with a friend or not. You may wanna take him on a trip to the pet store, and let him check out the selections. He may like the chirping of parakeets, and their playful behavior. To put it simply every bird is a voyeur and likes to watch whats going on. Not every bird will tolerate another fid, and moreover tolerate you quarting another bird in front of them. As far as psycologically speaking goes. If the bird hasn't been around other birds in a while they are gonna have trouble adjusting, and I also want to keep your attention centered around jealousy. Just like in real life if you take your 4 year old to the park and start playing with another 4 year old. You child is probably gonna kick you in the shins a few times out of jealousy. Also if you plan on another bird plan on them never living in the same spot. Plan on them never playing together, and plan on them having a squak tournament. If you think you can face those moderatly worst case scenarios. then by all means proceed, but if you don't think you can handle that, then keep the shelters less full and don't buy/adopt one, and just focus on hanging out with your super cool as is bird

[Dee]

It is really hard to know .. Even you won't known for sure if your bird will like a new addition .. like people until they meet and interact there is no guarantee that two birds will like each other.

Having said that you would have to make your decision based on the idea that you will have two birds that don't like each other and need their own cages. That way whatever happens you will be prepared.

Also like others have mentioned .. if they do like each other and you cage them together then chances are you won't e able to bond to either one of them. If on the otherhand you add to your flock and cage them separately then they can play together outside of their cages .. supervised!

I have two birds and I know some won't agree but having two birds is double the work and double the time ..

Hope that helps

[herbiesmom]

Thanks for the advice,
That's what I was lookin for! Birds aren't much like horses...and I'll probably keep Herbie as an only fid.

[Majj]

Birds are flock critters and do better if not left alone , so if you are gone most of the time I think its sad ...I know my boys love us human members of the flock but they also have each other for company when we can`t be around ..preening buddies and I think it makes for a happier bird ..That is not to say single fids do not have a good life iuts just my opinion that fids need company human or another fid I think its a good thing..even another fid in a different cage to watch and chirp to, if your lucky they will get along when you have them out and they will become preening buddies...BUT YOU HAVE to want another fid , not just get one for your little guy they will both need time spent with you and always remember if you do get another you guy should always be spoken to let out fed first as he will get jealous if he feels another is taking his place as top bird...
All the best and as someone else said only you know your bird and home set up as to if another flock member is realistic...

[herbiesmom]

Herbie is molting now and with all his new feathers, I always wonder if he would enjoy having a buddy preen him, like I see in pictures, little quakers looking happy grooming each other. I see so many members having multiple birds, that it makes me wonder if he'd be happy with another bird to play with. I'd be careful introducing them to each other, I'd do my research and make sure I knew what to do. I would love to get a blue quaker, I think they are so pretty.

Thanks everyone for your input...I'll think on it a little more before I decide. I wish I could ask Herbie what he thinks!

[Dee]

Hahaaha

If I asked Sméagol if he wanted another quaker I can hear him saying ... "Sure, just as long as he doesn't go in MY cage, can't play with MY toys, doesn't touch MY food .. and leaves MY humans alone .. Then it's all good!"



Good luck with your decision ..

[JulieNKC]

Aristotle is ok with arabella most of the time, but she is like an annoying little sister to him. She wants to follow him everywhere and do everything he does and he reminds me of a teenager who needs his space and doesn't want that brat bothering him all the time. But when I leave for work I can hear them talking to eachother so I think he likes the company so long as no one sees him.

[Majj]

Julie thats a great discription , they are like sibblings , with little spats but on a whole my guys love each other as much as they love us and I am happy that they have each other for company as we humans just cannot be all things at all times for our feathered kids...

[herbiesmom]

ok... I am going to look into the rescues and Petfinder to see if there is anything in my area. I'm a rescue nut, dogs, horses, guinea pig, so I'll look there first before I go to a breeder. Although I love the blue's, I'm not picky. It all depends on temperament. There's really not that much in Delaware, so I'll just have to keep my eyes open...

[Majj]

Good Luck , I hope you can give some little guy a chance at a forever home..

[moonchild1970]

If YOU want another bird, then go for it. Just don't expect them to be buddies. Also know it will be twice the time and work. But if you do get another bird, most of all... enjoy him or her!

[Carrie~Anne]

This is an old thread and I believe the member has two QPs now. It is good that it got bumped up, because it is a question that is often asked or wondered about.

[moonchild1970]

Lol... my bad