Introductions

[Chicklette]

I am trying to introduce them so they can play outside the cage together but I have a dilemma. I have a green cheek conure Boomer and an Indian Ringneck Chiquita Banana. They first showed no interest in each other. They are in the same area together but I take Chiquita out first them Boomer. They will go on each others cage and try to bite beaks so I now cover the cages, good or bad idea? If I let them out together do you think they will try to kill each other, Im nervous? I don’t think it looks like they will get along so Im leaning on not trying it. Any advice on what to do or not do would be appreciated.

[LovelySydney]

i don't think you have to cover the cages, beaking doesn't necessarily mean they hate one another, it could merely be a means of getting to know one another. Since they are housed in the same room and generally know one another is there, if you DO want to see how they interact one another I would have both out (possibly with another person there) and let them both out. This needs to be INSANELY SUPERVISED. Birds can be very quick. This is why I suggest having two people there. If you see any signs of aggression you separate one bird and a friend takes the other and puts both back in the cages. Im all for introducing birds, just make sure you are safe about it and make sure they dont hurt one another. Things can happen very quickly.

[Jag]

I waited months before introducing Rico to Rayne...and they had been next to each other before I got them, and their cages are next to each other. They used to hate each other, now they pretty much get along. Rico is still afraid of Rayne. Boomer won't care about the size difference, so watch out! Rayne is half the size of Rico...and she chase him off whenever she wants! However, she likes for him to preen her...which he now does...but he won't let her touch him!!

[Chicklette]

Wow, thanks guys. I thought beaking meant they hate each other. But when Chiquita was visiting Boomer the little bugger bit her toe. Boomer is the conure and she is pretty aggressive, even with me. She was abused so Im working with her. Any how Im taking you up on the advice and get a couple people to come over when I let them out together. This way there will be a few people here to interrupt if they start fighting.

Im not sure when Im going to do it but I want to do it soon and get it over with, Im dreading it, LOL. Im SUCH a wuss with my animals. But hopefully it goes well.

[Newticus]

Pinching toes is also not a great indication of aggression. most birds will grab at any birdie feet they find on their cage when they are inside of it.
Right now I've got it down to one bird that I don't trust with the others, my rose crown conure Sushi. All he wants to do when out of his cage is bother and harrass my biggest parrots Chester and Mikey. They are so laid back that they let themselves be pushed around by Sushi.
I have had aggression problems with both Lucas and Parker but they are mellowing out and starting to get along with the other small ones, Jacob and Fiona (new blue quaker) and sometimes the cockatiels.
Try it out, as long as there are people there to help you separate them if need be you should be fine.

Melanie

[Chicklette]

Well I will let you know how it goes. That is true, I guess any bird will bite the toes. They must look appetizing, LOL. I will be introducing them in a couple of days when a few family members will be here to help me out. I need more people then just me to help out if something goes wrong. I live alone. And I have them coming over in a couple of days. My cousin is coming down from Saint Louis and staying here, I bet he will be thrilled to help, LOL.

[Rebecca and 3]

Good luck! And I agree, my budgies beak each other and bite each others toes, and they have been together for 9 years!

[slic102]

We have 6 birds and they can all now be out together with the exception of Peep the linnie. She can only be out with the ekkie oddly enough. 2 of our birds are even caiques who notoriously play too roughly with other birds. Our 3 original birds...a quaker, conure and the first caique always come out for group playtime together. It took several months of us bringing them out together and having to seperate them many times before we got to the point that they rarely "fight". I still ALWAYS supervise the caiques with the other birds, but they do pretty well with them now. Be prepared to seperate them, but don't do it at the first sign of beaking as this is how they get to know each other. Also, be prepared to take a bite if you have to seperate them in the midst of an "argument".

[Jag]

Oh, yeah! I forgot to mention that if Rico and Rayne get into it, whoever takes Rayne usually gets a nice bite!