Adding

[alwaysontimneh]

This may be a stupid question but it is something I have been thinking about.

The hubby and I know that we will add to our family with more birds one day but not for a while. As of right now we really do not have a lot of room left in our apartment. We do plan on buying a home in a few years but were also planning on having kids around the same time. As far as I can see there is not going to be a good time where we can add another bird for a while. I am just wondering if since Mr. will have spent a good while being an only bird will we have trouble if we were to bring another bird around when he is older or should we somehow get him use to other birds now? Or is it better to get him a friend when we have kids? We also do not know what bird we would be eventually adding to our family. I hope that my question makes sense. I think about random things sometimes well in advance its a bad habit of mine lol.

[Panda]

Get a budgie?

[Izzy]

I would say, add another bird when you want to, and it will work out.

My cockatiel was an only bird for 2 years before I got my meyers. She doesn't really pay any attention to the new addition (it's been almost 6 months now).

My meyers, on the other hand, has always lived with other birds in her previous homes, and she hates other birds and my cockatiel included, even though she's been part of a multibird family from birth.

There cages are seperated by a bookcase, and I watch them when they are close to one another (like on my bed). Currently the tiel is flighted and the meyers is still clipped from when I got her. I plan on letting the meyers become flighted, but we'll have to see how she is around the tiel once she can fly before I decide whether to keep her flighted or not.

Anyways, my point of this, is that it is more the bird's personality than how long it is a single bird that matters. I wouldn't get another bird now if you don't want one yourself. Your guy will adjust, whenever the time is right. I will say that having two birds might be nice if they get along, for when you have kids. I've been considering adding another female tiel, so that my girl has a buddy for during times when I am busier (like when I eventually have kids). Greys, in general, tend to do well in homes with other greys. I know many people who have multiple greys who enjoy at least being able to talk/see one another. But again, you might end up with two jealous birds, so you need to make sure you have the time/energy/space/money for another bird.

[Halo]

Again, I will admit that I am probably pretty lucky in the fid department... but....

We have 10 birds here separated over three rooms of the house. Diddle, Marti, and Alfie are all in the living room. Diddle had been with other birds before, Alfie was a breeder at one time (and alone for at least 1 year), and Marti was always kept by himself (for 9 years). The three get along together beautifully, share eachothers cages, and even the play stand.

Lilly and Tuck Tuck are in our bedroom. Tuck Tuck had a cage mate when we got him as some idiot was trying to breed two males together and couldn't figure out why they never got eggs. Tuck Tuck with his friend, Nip, was not a good bird. We ended up having to rehome him as we could not keep both in the house and handle one. Lilly was by herself previously (for 7 years) and they get along to the point that Lilly will even allow him to raid her cage whenever he feels like it without issue.

Minga and Pedro have always been together and they share their room with Bangers and King and there are no incidents but then again, Minga is the only one let out of her cage at this point and we plan on moving at least King into our room when he gets tame enough to have his cage open.

So I don't think it matters how long the bird has been single.

[alwaysontimneh]

Thanks for responding. I hope that when we do decide to add another Fid that all will go well.