Hello everyone I have been thinking about adding a second bird to our household for some time now. I have my quaker, Brisco, and would love to get him a friend. I would have separate cages but the goal would be to eventually have them in the same cage. I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share their stories on adding a second bird. How did you go about introductions? Are they caged together? What are the benefits of having two birds? What problems did you encounter? What kind of bird did you add for the the second one? My husband and I both work a lot and I feel that Brisco may be happier with a companion. I am looking forward to hearing everyone's stories. Oh and this is not a decision we are going to take lightly and we may not even add a second bird for several months down the line. Also Brisco is about two years old... could he be too set in his ways to appreciate a companion?

There's another thread right now with a very similar topic that might help if you read it. I have two, each in his/her own cage (and two budgies, but that's different). Mine don't get along very well, and while they chatter back and forth, I wouldn't put them in the same cage or they'd probably get into a fight. I think each one needs its own space so they can have their cage set up to suit them and not have to share toys and food. Jade likes swings and her boing and Clyde hates that sort of thing. Jade likes bells and Clyde doesn't. So they have their own cages and while they are company for each other, they're not forced to be together. Out of the cages, they might sit on the same cage together, but they ignore each other for the most part and if Jade gets too close, because she'd LIKE to be friends, Clyde hisses and pecks at her.

You'd have to be prepared for the possibility that they wouldn't like each other, but I wouldn't trade either of mine for anything. Clyde is No. 1 and gets treats and attention first, always, because he was here first. You have to remember to treat the first bird as the top bird to avoid jealousy, and the second bird will accept that the first one is No. 1.

I just answered a similar question so will just put the link here.. (lazy)

http://www.quakerparrots.com/forum/index.p...c=50621&hl=

I have a sun conure and Quaker BUT if I were to add another fid to a existing Quaker I would get another quaker (same sex) My boys get on well but Sunny sconure was 3years old when Buddy was added and I have read conures are accepting of most other spieces and I have read most Quaker parrots do best with only other Quakers Parrots ..of course there are always exceptions to the rule but with an existing quaker I think you would have more luck with another Quaker..
I would have seperate cages and I would intorduse them our side the cage in a neutral area to start..(maybe in your bed room on the bed or a room that your existing quaker doesn`t regard as HIS territory)..There WILL be some beaking this is normal and unless it looks like they are going to hurt them selves don`t panic..this is their way of setting the pecking order and no doubt your exhisting fid will be top bird of the flock..to make sure there is no jelousy ALWAYS tend to your first bird first ..

I hope you can understand my rambling I am in a hurry to go to bed ..need my sleep ..

Good luck and WELCOME to a great group....don`t be shy join in check out the different forums ...

Adding a blue crown conure worked well for me. My quaker and BCC love each other and play together outside the cages all day. They sleep in separate cages at night, although the BCC keeps trying to stay in the quaker's cage. When I first introduced them, my quaker kept trying to bite the BCC's feet, but that only lasted about a week.

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