Should I?

[OwnedbyMacaws]

Ok, I'm considering a big step, and I want opinions from 'bird people' before I do it.

Mal has come so far, so fast. He's almost pleasant to be around now. He's practically Jacks third child at this point, he's friendly with me and beginning to let me hold him, and he's even let James and Devin scratch his head through the bars of his cage a time or two.

Both he and Mickey have been in the same room with the girls and Sam and Simon for a few weeks now. They seem to enjoy that, and they all chatter back and forth all day. I've let the others climb on their cage without incident.(UNless you count a tug of war over a foot toy that Lola tried to nick from Mal) I've let them climb on everyone else's cage without incident.

I am seriously considering letting Mal out with the others and seeing how it goes. I don't believe Mickey is ready yet. He's still very aggressive towards us (or rather, ME) sometimes, and while he hasn't seemed to be towards the other birds, I'd rather not risk it. Plus I have a hard time getting Mickey back in his cage without Jack, so I don't know what I would do if there was a 'fight'.

I thought I might just try Mal with one or two of the others. Maybe Lola or Sam, since they're so easy to get along with, or Sunny or Hannah, since they are older and less excitable.

Suggestions, or advice, anyone?

I may be making a big deal out of nothing, but I just don't want anyone to get hurt.

[The Outlaw]

Dana:

Here is what I would suggest to do first. Of course, all birds MUST be clipped. You have to be in control of everyone. All birds must be on neutral playstands, not on cages and certainly not allowed in each other's cages.

I would only allow Mal out with your most stable macaw while you are in the same room and armed with a squirt bottle for distraction if you feel you see aggressive displays. All birds will of course beak a bit, but you should be able to tell the difference in just checking each other out and a full blown attack.

Once you feel confident that no fight is imminent, then you can return one of the birds to the cage and bring out the another. I'd only work in 2's for a few days.

Again, always on a neutral non-territorial playstand under supervision. I would be surprised to see any real fighting, for that seems to be more in the nature of humans, not animals et al.

[OwnedbyMacaws]

Thanks Nancy. I guess my most stable would be Sunny or Hannah. Lola and Sam are very easy going, but they are also more curious. Maybe it would be better to put him with Sunny or Hannah, because they'd be less likely to be 'all over' him?

Playstands are easy, because I rotate them regularly so no one gets the idea that a particular one is THEIRS and theirs alone. Have I been doing wrong to allow them to climb on the other's cages when they were out? No one seemed to mind.

I really think Mal is going to fit in fine with everyone else, he seems to be adapting so easily. I honestly expected it to take a lot longer to get to this point. (as it is with Mickey)

I'll let you all know how it goes.