Irn question

[luvmybirds]

Hello, I have 2 ringnecks, one is 11 weeks old, the other is about 18 weeks old. I cannot seem to get them to get along at all. I have had them both the same amount of time, I got them from the same place. They do have their own seperate cages, but its so hard to have them out of their cages without a fight, one flies to the other cage and then they will fight through the cage. Its rediculous, I try to let them out together and they each will start the fight. Does anyone have any ideas on how to help them get along, or will they never get along. Thanks for any advice.

[LadyLynn]

Teaching birds to accept each other takes a lot of time and careful strategic planning, and I promise it does not always work, but proper introductions can change the whole thing.

It took my 2 nandays 1 year before they finally accepted my jenday and for her safety I had to be present for much of her out of cage time.

but what I think is happening is all of the birds want to be "TOp bird," and they are all fighting over turf.

so may I suggest that you swap their cages around to new locations, and be sure that each cage is far enough apart that non of the birds can touch the other's cages.

The real work will begin at this point You'll think you are being cruel at first but believe me you arn't and you are actually doing your flock a favor by getting a handle on their cock fighting.

you must banish every single one of the birds to their own cages....... upset their balance however by rearanging or getting new toys. You may have to just have them stay in their cages for one full week without any out of cage time, however I promise the force them to stay in their cage isn't going to last.

your goal is to get them to get along.

The outside of their cages is neutral territory. Just make certain that each bird understands they don't put their feet on anyone's cage but their own.

now your work begins, never take any more than two birds out of their cages at once. Observe the two of them, and if they squabble seperate them if they keep at it, putting them each on their own seperate areas. You may eventually want to put their cages next to each other so they can learn to be neighbors and friends. When you have a handle on this add a third bird. However expect set backs to, nd always go back to whatever you can handle.

Also, really sit down and watch, what are they really squabbling about? Are they fighting over a particular bird? such as two mailes fighting over a female? If so you need to do this. Be sure that the two males are far enough away from each other that they can't see eac other very clearly and move the female into a different location cuz neither should have access to her.

if it is territory they are fighting over you may have to if at all possible choose another room and make sure that when you let one bird out, have more than one or two out because the territory is unclaimed and then you can squelsh any start up fights that happen.

or is everyone simply being cage aggressive because you have the cages sitting to close together?

it's going to take you a lot of work, a lot of thinking, goal setting and more and probably a lot longer than a few months to get your flock to stop battling each other.

good luck and let us know how it goes ok.

[luvmybirds]

I will work on all that, all my birds do great, except these two, there is no female around, but me, but they are still babies arnt they, shouldnt they somewhat get along, everything says to start when they are babies, not guaranteed but its been said to be easier that way...I did make some progress, as tonite the blue ringneck Levi, was in my lap and the olive ringneck Madori was on my knee and there was no fighting....

[LadyLynn]

I wasn't so sure if the two not getting along were babies or not, but I also need to add something important that you must do for them especially, but all of your flock members too especially if they are brand new.

Part of every birds problem is when a new flock member is added the other feels as if yu are not going to love them anymore, in essense if you try to think like a bird you may feel mama isn't going to love you and more, the other is just plain I want to be the flock leader.

The worry about losing my love situation this is what you do, yes you move their cages next to each other sometimes, but not touching so they can reach each other through the bars.

I always change my bird's locations so they can learn to love their neighbor so to speak............

but what you must do is that when they are both out and they are squabbling is tell them no! break it up..... but of course the other thing to do it may be one bird is in it's cage but you take the other out, and make sure you are in absolute viewing of the caged baby, and show him how much you love the bird you have out, but don't over do it, 10 minutes is all they can usually tolerate, and then put the other baby back in its cage, and do the same thing so that they both eventually understand that mama loves both of them and there is no risk of them losing their homes, and once in a while, outside of their cages with your eye on them if they are the same species, just keep an eye on them cuz a little squabbling is good for them, that way they know, hey I want that blanket, or I want you to preen me, or leave me alone, I want that toy and it's mine. It's a communication thing too.

however by no means ever allow a species that is different than another such as a cockatiel and conure, or a conure and a cockatiel be left unattended and left to squabble cuz the smaller of them is probably going to get killed,

and never at any time allow a small bird to put it's foot on a bigger birds cage such as a conure on a cockatoo's cage, but you can get away with this some as far as conures and tiels are concerned.

All of this means consistency, firmness, and love, and lots and lots of time...........

good luck.


Right now Gizmo is having the hardest time adjusting to new flock mates. The little Sun is doing ok, and Neekko seems to be doing just fine, and boy can this special needs baby run............