Third wheel: baby budgie not accepted

[BillySIMS139]

Well, the story is nothing new...

I brought home a new baby budgie (he was found outside on a playground; about eight weeks old as he still had black on beak and nails and of course the bars on forehead). I already have two adult bonded budgies in a flight cage. After quarantine, clean pyhsical from the vet, and time in a seperate cage near each other... I introduced the baby to the flight cage. The baby was so happy to be with them. The two adult budgies did not want to have anything to do with the baby. After about five days together I noticed aggression (first it was them batting him with their beak to get away from them, then they would follow him around a bit to shoo him off perches, tonight I saw the female adult budgie bite the leg of the new baby-did not seem to cause actual damage thank goodness!), so I took him out and put him back in his own cage. So, I'm thinking I will have to remove the two adults from the flight cage, put the baby in the flight cage alone for a while. Then, re-introduce the two adult budgies. Maybe one adult at a time. I'm thinking it is a turf war; possibly the bonded couple don't want a young whipper snapper around bothering them.

What do you suggest?

[sailorkelly]

Just get another flight cage and maybe a friend for him. Birds don't always like each other. So I wouldn't try an make them be friends.

[New Ekkie Mom]

I second sailorkelly's suggestion. I would just keep them separate. Did you try to find out who owned the baby?

[GracienGeorge]

First and foremost thank you soooo much for taking in such a precious baby barhead :)
I wished i could be lucky enough to actually rescue one from out in the wilds....
Anyways, separating them is the right thing to do, i agree. It breaks my heart that baby was pushed away after you said that baby was soooo happy to be with the other two budgies! Poor little tyke just wanted to be preened and loved is all...
I am for purchasing another little angel to be a bonded friend for your lil cuteheart :)
If i lived near you, maybe i do?.. then i would spring for one- just soo your little sweetie doesnt feel alone :)

[Lori~D]

I second..er third all that and after he has a buddy his own size then possible later when they are older and able to defend them selves they can go into the Avairy. Budgies do well in flocks but he is too young and your right about the bonded pair not wanting an intruder, esp a baby. Id be willing to bet you could introduce another pair later though.

[LovelySydney]

I too agree with everyone. If they arent getting along now after quite some time chances are they wont. They could have a bond with one another and dont want another bird in the mix. I would separate and get the baby in a new cage. Wait to add another bird, you dont want to have 2 birds that dont like one another.

[Chicklette]

I would permanently keep them separated, it’s for the best. And yes, I agree with the others that they like each other’s company so I would get another one for him. Poor little guy. Im really glad you had another cage to separate them in. Im so glad you took him in. He would not have made it out there very long that’s for sure.