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Post by skyeb on Jan 1, 2015 23:08:36 GMT -5
I have a 17 year old female Quaker, I have had her since she was about 6 months old. She spends a lot of time with our family, but I have always wondered if she would be happier with a friend, and am considering rescuing.
Would you recommend this, considering her age?
Should I pick a bird that is also a senior?
Does it matter if its male or female in terms of bonding?
Does species matter?
Should she pick her own mate? If so, whats the best way to do this?
Thanks for the advice!
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Post by biteybird on Jan 2, 2015 2:29:59 GMT -5
Hi Skyeb, I don't have any expertise in this area, but...what if you got another quaker and your 17yo absolutely hates him/her? I would be very cautious about this, particularly if your bird is very bonded to you/humans in general. I'm sure others will be able to contribute better advice than I.
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Post by Jan and Shah on Jan 2, 2015 4:55:28 GMT -5
I agree with Biteybird. If your quaker is happy with way she is, I wouldn't get another one. If she doesn't like the new arrival, you are stuck with another bird.
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Post by easttex on Jan 2, 2015 8:17:43 GMT -5
I am all for rescuing birds in need.  You don't necessarily have to make a second bird a "mate". In fact, if you like the relationship you have with your current bird, I wouldn't approach it that way. I adopted a senior Quaker in need seven years after adopting my African grey. They don't interact directly, but I think bird company is not a bad thing. I was concerned about my grey getting jealous, but she seems to have taken it in stride. I don't know if it would make a difference if I had adopted another grey, but maybe. |
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Post by julianna on Jan 2, 2015 12:05:44 GMT -5
I was told that if you get another quaker.... your quaker will not be the same towards you and that you would have lost a pet.
I have often thought about getting a second bird as well but I talk myself out of it knowing that Oscar is happy... then I say to myself.... these are flock birds and they need friends.... then I say... it will be twice the work if I do this.... then I say.... Wouldn't it be wonderful to have little baby birds in the house again..... then I say.... what if Oscar does not like the friend.... then I say.... The noise would drive me crazy.... then I say... leave well enough alone!
whewwww.... I debate this idea many many many times... so far...only one Oscar in the house.
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Post by Sharyn and Mr P on Jan 2, 2015 12:18:10 GMT -5
Getting a 2nd bird as a rescue because YOU want to rescue the bird should be the way you look at this and is a wonderful thing to do!! I would recommend against getting a 2nd bird as a friend/mate to your quaker. If they bond, that is great, but if they don't, even worse, if they hate each other, then you have to divide out of cage time between the two or keep them separated.
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Chels
Hatchling
Posts: 10 
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Post by Chels on Jan 2, 2015 18:56:28 GMT -5
I have an 8 year old Quaker (Sweetea) who I've had since she was 7 months old. For years, My husband and I talked about us getting another bird so she could have company. She is very bonded to me and only tolerates my husband. We started talking about getting another bird so that my husband could have a bird that loved him the way my birdie does. July 4th weekend we adopted an 8 week old Quaker (Squirt). We were nervous because you never know if they will like each other or how different their personalities will be or if they will even be able to stand each other in the same room.
The first day, my Sweetea didn't even care that Squirt was in the room. I showed her attention and my husband showed Squirt attention. It has gone so well! Now Sweetea and Squirt clean and feed each other, snuggle, play, and squabble like siblings.
Sweetea has changed for the better. She is still bonded to me, but she likes to go with my husband now and is quieter. She used to scream when we left the room or when she was alone in the room with my husband. We never leave them unsupervised and they have separate cages and play stands. Squirt picks up everything Sweetea does so quickly. He is a lot more spastic, moody, loud, energetic, and full of attitude than Sweetea is. Having him has given my husband a bird to bond with while also giving Sweetea a friend. Like I said before, it also improved my husband and Sweetea's relationship too!
I'll echo what everyone else has said: don't get another bird unless YOU want one or someone in your family wants one. I fully believe the reason this worked out is because Sweetea was secure in our relationship and didn't see Squirt as a threat (since my husband was training him and holding him).
Now that it's been 6 months, they both play on me, and it's like we are one big happy family!
It is also A LOT more messy with two birds. Sweetea is a dainty eater while Squirt likes to throw his food everywhere haha!
I don't regret getting Squirt one bit though!
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Post by cnyguy on Jan 2, 2015 20:49:53 GMT -5
It's already been said, but it's good advice: only get a second parrot if you really want one. |
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Post by julianna on Jan 3, 2015 16:15:54 GMT -5
Wow... that is awesome Chels.
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Post by skyeb on Jan 5, 2015 12:46:25 GMT -5
That helps so much to hear what you all think about it, thank-you everyone!! Im so glad there is a consensus on it. I watched a documentary on Netflix about parrots, and it made me feel so bad because it basically said that people cant possibly give them enough attention because they are meant to have mates. It broke my heart thinking Merlyn was lonely. She does seem happy, and shes a big part of our family. I also found a 30 year old male here in town that needs a home, and was considering the idea. I still am, but I am not sure if we should actually do it or not especially if theres a chance the two wont bond. I'm a sucker for animals though, he may be coming home with me! If he does, I will post an update Again thank-you everyone for all of your help! |
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Post by Pappagallo on Jan 20, 2015 9:40:20 GMT -5
I would not get a second bird unless you want a second bird. She is 17 years old and very set in her ways by now. If you get a second bird there is no guarantee they will get along. I definitely wouldn't get her a cage mate. Keeping them in separate cages might work though.
My two female birds share a cage, but they have been together since they were a year old and are the only a month apart in age. I was very lucky that they bonded to each other because
1) they are different species (quaker and sun)
2) they could have ended up fighting each other
They are still bonded to me but because they have each other they really are not so attached to me as you might find in living with a single bird. I am leaving for Israel in a month and I know that the two of them will party while I am away and when I come back it will be like I was only way for 2 hours instead of being away nearly two weeks. The last time time I was away, my mother said: "I think they like it better downstairs with us than upstairs with you." Nice.
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You don't necessarily have to make a second bird a "mate". In fact, if you like the relationship you have with your current bird, I wouldn't approach it that way. I adopted a senior Quaker in need seven years after adopting my African grey. They don't interact directly, but I think bird company is not a bad thing. I was concerned about my grey getting jealous, but she seems to have taken it in stride. I don't know if it would make a difference if I had adopted another grey, but maybe.
