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Post by duckysmom on Jul 21, 2016 10:20:29 GMT -5
My BF will be semi-retired in a month. He brought up getting another QP while Ducky is still a baby thinking Ducky would be more accepting. I said, Another cage? Another bird to train? Another noise making creature? Auntie (88 years young and living with us) might lose her mind. He said he would be able to contribute a lot more time to training and cleaning and in general. I would love another one, but we just started bonding and training Ducky. Ducky is happy with his current schedule. He's already not fond of changes. We also have some long weekends away planned and my brother will be coming in the take care of Ducky. Would it be better to wait until next spring? The breeder has one last late clutch weaning soon so we have to decide now. Anyone have any advice on this?
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Post by aaron on Jul 21, 2016 14:00:46 GMT -5
Well, personally I can hardly imagine having to take care of two of these guys. It definitely makes things much more complicated, and there are aspects of it that can't be predicted... but I do think you are correct that Ducky is more likely to be accepting at this point. Perhaps Angela can give you some insight into how this has gone for her and her flock, as she brought a second QP home not too long after getting her first. |
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Post by Caseysmom on Jul 21, 2016 22:25:06 GMT -5
Yup, two cages, twice the work, like Aaron one works for me. But like he said Angela is having lots of fun with her two and watching them interact. I have a cage of finches fir background noise for Casey, they are fun to watch and less work than a parrot.
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Post by beccilouise on Jul 22, 2016 5:35:35 GMT -5
I personally don't have any experience of owning multiple birds, but can only suggest reading as much as you can about what it takes and preparing yourselves. Parrot Magazine is a really good place to start, as well as anything by Rosemary Lowe or Alan Jones (the latter is a qualified avian vet), the parrot essentials blog also has lots of useful information. I would only say, try to stick with people whose credentials you can check. I've seen a lot of videos online by youtubers who speak as if they know what they are talking about, but clearly know nothing, so be really careful. But there are plenty of ways you can educate yourselves safely about the reality of owning two QPs. If it suits you, then go for it! If not, then at least you'll know you've made the right decision. It is possible to keep two young QPs well bonded to their human flock. I would also suggest DNA sexing Ducky and trying to get a bird of the same gender. This won't stop bonding, but it will eliminate the possibility of any unwanted eggs! Best of luck  |
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Post by julianna on Jul 22, 2016 13:13:36 GMT -5
Personally I would not get a second QP. Not only because one is enough... but because Oscar is bonded to me... and I enjoy that. He understands more and more words and concentrates on every aspect of what I am doing. I know that a second QP would draw his attention to that bird whether for good or bad. I would be terrified to find out that a second bird would not get along with Oscar. Not all QP's like each other and if you end up with two males then one will always be dominant. That could mean many things.
Just be sure that you are getting the bird for you... and not for Ducky.
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Post by duckysmom on Jul 22, 2016 17:56:28 GMT -5
If we did get another QP it would be for us, not Ducky. I have had multiple birds before. A macaw, cockatiel and budgie. The cockatiel was very bonded to the budgie but also to his humans. The budgie was the meanest, most anti-human booger I ever met. He has out lived the cockatiel, going on 11 years now and my ex still has him. If he could have broken skin, I would be covered in scars. Nothing changed his attitude and it has been suggested he may be a she. Anyway, my macaw talked to the cockatiel but looked down her beak at the budgie. She was never allowed to be out with the two smaller birds. So anyway . . .
I think my BF has just found that he REALLY enjoys the intelligence and affection of our new baby and he's loving every moment of being a bird daddy. He greets Ducky first thing, enjoys taking over the bedtime ritual more often than not, whistles while he's helping me make up or cook up veggies. Maybe he's feeling like he's stealing my bird from me. Ha!
Ducky is DNA sexed a male. How would I know I'm getting another boy if I can't DNA test before I get the new baby? Guess I will have to ask the breeder that one.
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Post by cnyguy on Jul 22, 2016 20:12:38 GMT -5
Yup, two cages, twice the work I disagree-- it's more like five times the work.  At least it is for me, with a very messy Grey to clean up after. Two QPs might not be quite as messy as one QP and a CAG are here, but of course, there would be lots more maintenance than with just one parrot. Food preparation will take longer too, as it's possible the two parrots would have different preferences for vegetables and fruits. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's not worth the extra time and effort though.  |
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Post by aaron on Jul 23, 2016 9:56:43 GMT -5
Just remember, they don't stay babies... and just one can become a lot of challenge once they leave that phase! I'm not saying don't do it, but you should both be very prepared for a much more challenging and all-encompassing situation. There's definitely a possibility that it will just all fall into place and go smoothly, but also the complete opposite could happen. |
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Post by duckysmom on Jul 23, 2016 14:39:18 GMT -5
We have decided not to get another QP for now. We are also caretakers for BF's elderly aunt, who lives with us. I convinced him that we just can't take on the additional responsibility right now. As Auntie's health declines, she will require more of our attention (she is not a hospice patient - she has diabetes, mobility issues and is legally blind - but she is 88 years old). Ducky will not suffer neglect as there are 2 of us. If we get another bird, someone is going to feel neglected - and it can't be our human dependent. I explained all the things that can happen with neglected birds - plucking, illness - and he finally agreed. If were just the 2 of us, another cage, more noise, more mess would be a non-issue for me. Although, I really do like focusing on just Ducky right now while he is learning and bonding with us. Bringing Auntie into equation just helped him see the light. And, by the way, Auntie is loving having this little guy around. Since she is stuck in the house most of the time with caregivers, he entertains her. She does not take him out of the cage, but he always calls quietly to her mid-day and she grabs her walker and shuffles over to have a chat with him. (I advised her not to if he screams and she has held to that.)
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Post by aaron on Jul 23, 2016 16:03:29 GMT -5
Sounds like the right decision for your situation. Glad you guys were able to come to an agreement!
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Post by easttex on Jul 24, 2016 5:11:17 GMT -5
That sounds wise. If you do decide to go with a baby Quaker later, you will have another opportunity to wallow in all that cuteness. When I first adopted Peppy Quaker, I was very worried about how my grey would take it. She was plucking when I first got her and she is very bonded to me. She took it in stride, surprisingly. Even later, when Peppy was so ill and she was relatively neglected, she didn't appear to have a reaction to it. They were both adults and different species, so I don't know if there is a larger lesson there or not. I never really thought it was twice as much work, maybe because, unlike cnyguy, I had my epic mess-maker first. |
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Post by Angela on Aug 3, 2016 2:52:50 GMT -5
Hi there Duckysmum. Sorry I've not been around much lately so am only just reading this now. Seems like you've already made your mind up but I'll let you know how my 2 QP's are going.
We got Skye in January and Loki in March of this year. Skye is fickle to say the least. He'll go to anyone, anytime (although just now starting to be a little more selective). Loki has been scared to death of humans more specifically hands since the day I got him. They are not DNA sexed so I just call them he's!
Skye didn't really bond to anyone as such but loves me, my hubby (actually I think he likes boys more than girls) and to my son Joel and Loki (as I said fickle). Loki is VERY slowly warming to me and now to my hubby, but seems to HATE everyone else. So much so that if he is on my shoulder and someone comes near me he'll lean over to try to bite them (that's everyone except me and hubby). I don't know why. We didn't do anything different with Skye or Loki, just personality I guess. Loki of course loves Skye and screams for him if he can't see him.
They have separate cages and come out when I get home from work till they go to bed (about 3 hours a day) maybe more on weekends. Yeah it's a little more mess, but I don't think significantly so. Yeah more noise I suppose but again not significantly so again. Loki makes the kiss kiss noise and says good boy straight afterwards and does some whistles, but Skye just does a heap of whistles no talking at all.
I don't know it that's because they're together all day and just whistle at each other or not.
Did I make the right decision? No idea to be honest! Loki can be very trying. Having said that I can't imagine my life without them as they both make me laugh so much and bring me such joy.
Cheers Ang
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At least it is for me, with a very messy Grey to clean up after. Two QPs might not be quite as messy as one QP and a CAG are here, but of course, there would be lots more maintenance than with just one parrot. Food preparation will take longer too, as it's possible the two parrots would have different preferences for vegetables and fruits. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's not worth the extra time and effort though. 
