Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 5/19/2007

Question
I currently have a 2 year old female green cheek who has been a wonderful pet.  I am now however getting the itch to buy another but I have a few questions.  I understand that there is no guarantee that the two will get along but in general how does an established gcc do with a new addition to the house?  Do they normally end up being able to be cage mates?  I am not interested with mating but would I be better off adding a male (my wife had 2 female rabbits who went crazy on each other when they reached sexual maturity).  That is all I can think of at the moment but if you could think of any additional information or resources I could check out I would appreciate it.

Answer
Hi, Clay.

It depends on the personalities of the individual birds involved.  Each bird is different.  Your established bird could be very jealous of a new addition or it could welcome the new addition, just depends.  First of all, you need to quarantine any new additions for at least 30 days to ensure the new bird isn't ill (don't want to infect your established bird is the new one is sick).  Then place the new bird in a separate cage next to your other bird and see how things go.  Then let them outside their cages together supervised.  If all goes well, then you can introduce them to 1 cage.  The established bird may not like the new bird invading its cage space, so be aware of this.  It would just depend on how well they get along (or not).  You'd be better off adding a male, yes, but be aware they may eventually mate and lay eggs.  Before you actually go out and buy another bird, think about it carefully.  Birds prefer other birds to humans, so if you are close to/bonded with your current bird, when/if you introduce a new bird, they may take to each other and you'll be the 3d wheel.

Chrys