What would you do?

[redpeppers]

I am trying to figure out what the best way to house Sydney and Sky is.

I just got that big macaw cage yesterday and I have two smaller cages (one is 24" and the other is 30" or something like that I think). I have been toying with the idea of just letting them share the big cage since that really seems to be what they would prefer but I am not sure whether that is a good idea or not. . .

I could let them use the big cage as their day cage together and then keep the smaller ones as sleep cages but I'm not sure that's really any different from letting them stay together full time. . . I did have some concerns about how they got along when I first got them but I think that was more me looking for something to be worried about then anything, they never fight at all and they always want to be together.

My biggest concern with leaving them in one cage is the obvious one. I don't want to encourage them to breed. From what I've read though, it doesn't seem likely that they would decide to breed without a nest log and probably a quieter household. That being said, my second biggest concern about them being together would be the possibility of increased hormonal behavior. On that one though, if they are together pretty much all the time anyway, and it is really obvious already that they are pretty bonded to Matt and I, is sharing the same cage overnight (bc that will be the main diff, when they are out they are together either way and they are out for all but about 4 hours during the day) really going to make that big of a difference.

My concern with leaving them apart is I *think* Sky may have plucked a few feathers over the few nights that they were separated. I was finding a couple feathers in his cage every morning and he is not molting. Yesterday I found the very small almost bare spot on his chest where it seems the feathers came from. I'm pretty sure that Sky is 21 (his band says 87) and he is beautifully feathered. . . . if splitting him and Sydney up is going to cause him to start plucking, I don't know that I want to risk it.

What would you guys do?

[LadyLynn]

Mallisa, Every bird needs their personal space to get away from each other. This is exactly why every one of my birds have their own cages, but during the day all conure cages are open "day cages so they can share and play.

I think you will find they will have fewer squabbles than if you have them share the same cage...................

[redpeppers]

I'm not really sure that your observation about personal space is entirely true. If you think about it, in the wild birds live in pairs and as flocks, there really isn't a lot of personal space. They do have more room in general of course I suppose, but they are really only in the cage for four hours or so a day anyway.

However, that is why I was considering having them keep the smaller cages for their sleep cages and letting them share the big cage during the day. . . I'm not sure if this is what you were suggesting or if you were just saying they really shouldn't be in the same cage at all.

[LadyLynn]

Mallisa I do understand what you are saying, but I'm convinced that I am correct because when my Anna bird laid eggs, I can tell you what I observed.

Mz. Twiggy bird absolutely would not leave Anna alone, not even for two minutes, and Anna was very tired, and wanted Twiggy to stop following her everywhere she went. It took quite some time to remove Twiggy from Anna so Anna could rest.

It's true of birds in the wild as well. Anna was preparing to lay eggs at the time.
The time in their alone cages is also brief, and thererfore both the play day cage and the personal cages are needed.

[redpeppers]

All of your conures are females though aren't they? I would venture a guess that the situation would be slightly different from a male-female pair.

I am thinking right now I am going to continue to seperate them at night and allow them to be together in the big cage during the day.

[dlaura]

Melissa, if I recall correctly, your birds are basically free to roam all day as you leave their cage doors open even if you are gone. I think if I were you I'd give it a few days or so and just observe the situation. Judge from what you see, if they are fine together all day or if one of them seems to be seeking "alone time". Go from there. It may turn out that a night time of "alone time" in sleeping cages is enough for them.

The only problem with them being in same cage all day is they may bond together so much that they want to cut down on human contact and that is not something you or Matt are looking for - at least I don't think so.

[redpeppers]

You are correct about my birds for the most part, it is only Boomer and Peppers that I do that with right now though. I would love to be able to have them all cage free during the day but I need to move a few things out of their room first and I was waiting until they completely settled in.

As far as the bonding together and not with humans thing, they have been in the same cage together for at least 4 months and I am thinking it is actually much longer then that. That being said, Sky is still much more interested in me when I am around then he is in Sydney. Sydney is much more interested in Matt then Sky, so I'm hoping that won't be as much of an issue as it could be.

[LadyLynn]

birds, do change in birdanality over time, and that affection could very well turn back to the bird, and not to you.

I agree, observe what is happening and then decide from there.

yes, all my conures as far as I know are female.

[Macawpower58]

I'd not forcefully seperate them. From what you say, they're bonded. They're not violent with each other, enjoy each others company, and possibly have been together for quite some time.

IMO it is cruel to force separation. Birds bond for life, with each other, with their humans, with other bird species. Yes, they can adjust, but why should they have to without an imperative reason?

Even if the worst happened and an egg was laid, remove it, or exchange it for a hard boiled one. Keep no nest boxes. I really doubt they'll breed, but if they do, it is not the end of the world.

Cockatoos are emotionally, and psychologically intricate. Do not shake the boat. From what you say, they live peacefully together, barring the odd 'birdie scuffle' which happens with all bonded birds. Separation is traumatic. Change in living arrangements is traumatic. New surroundings are traumatic. You may not see, or recognize the signs, but these two Cockatoos, are stressed with everything new in their world. They need each other emotionally.

I'd place two cages side by side. Perhaps even adjoin two, with a door between them. Allow the birds to decide if they 'need their space'.

[yeb90]

I think that sharing in the day and having separate night cages is a good idea. I have a severe macaw and a red lored amazon who have been the best of friends from the start and that's what I do for them. They're happy, but I also make sure to separate them if they're clearly getting on each other's nerves and doing a bit too much squabbling (although I suspect that a lot of what seems like squabbling to me is really just rough and noisy playing).