Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 11/22/2006

Question
Keeta (female) and Peter Azule (male) are not a bonded pair as of yet.  He is a recent present from a friend.  The two are going through the ritual of feeding (or appearing to be) each other.  There are times when Keeta is a bully (as I have read is normal for the females)and Peter Azule will usually retreat to another perch and just avoid her for a while.  As for breeding, that isn't my intention, but might be nice to have a clutch or two as friends are already asking for any offspring.  But breeding isn't my intention.  I was thinking of getting two more right now, but not sure if I should get a pair or 2 males or two females.  I am planning on getting from PetsMart as we don't have any breeders around here.  If getting a pair, I would have to get from two different stores as PetsMarts each only carry one gender of their animals (to avoid breeding).  Thanks so much for your assistance.  You have been a great help already.
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
I have read parakeet/budgie books and have searched the internet but can't find out specifically how many of which sex can be housed together.  I realize how many depends on the aviary size, but I currently have a female a couple years old and a 6 month old male budgie and would like to add more for their enjoyment and mine.  (Of course, I would be sure they were in an aviary, not a cage.)  I know that same sex budgies will get along fine, as will pairs usually, but should there be equal numbers of each (male/female) or more males than females or vice-versa.
-----Answer-----
Hi, Donna.  Thanks for posting!

Great question!  I'm so glad you asked in advance!

You are exactly right about the size of their housing.  Do not overcroud them.  You're going to hate this answer, but it just depends on the personalities of the individual birds involved.  I'll give you an example.  I have about 30 parakeets various ages, but all over 2 years old.  I have to keep them in 2 separate aviaries because they don't all get along together.  And I've had to switch them around many times because some are OK together for a year or 2 or longer, then fights break out.  Then I have to switch birds around again, etc.  You really need to take a look at who the dominant males are and who the dominate females are, and who the subserviant males and females are.  Birds always create hierarchies (not sure that's spelled correctly) within their group (pecking order).  You have to be especially careful with females because a dominant female may kill subordinate females in a fight, depending on what the fight is about and whether the other female can defend herself.  All this comes into play in my situation.

In your situation, your male will be old enough soon to mate with your female.  Are these 2 birds pair-bonded with each other?  Do you have any intentions of breeding your budgies?  They will pair up and most likely lay eggs if you mix males/females...take this into consideration before you make any final decisions.  Where will you purchase any additional birds (a parrot breeder is best and least expensive)?  New birds should be quarantined from existing birds for at least 30 days.  Depending on how many new birds you're talking about, you may have to buy from different sources, which means you'll need to quarantine separately.  

Let me know your intentions, number of new birds, etc., and I'll more thoroughly answer your basic question.

Thanks.

Chrys

Answer
Hi again, Donna.

If you're only talking about 4 birds, then I'd just put them all together in a large cage.  You already have a pair on their way to bonding...when a male/female set of birds feed each other beak-to-beak, this is what is called pair-bonding.  These 2 are already on their way to being a pair.  If you have future intentions of breeding, then you'll want to get another female and male.  I would not purchase 2 more females and put them all together in a cage with 1 male.  You could purchase 2 more males for a total of 3 males and 1 female.  However, your best choice would be for an even number of both sexes.  

Parrot breeders are out there...you just have to search!  Check local newspapers, bird clubs, etc.  I highly recommend you follow the quarantine guidance I provided previously for any new birds you bring into your home.

If you have further questions, let me know.

Chrys