Eclectus sharing a cage

[Yazo]

Hello
I had two eclectus bird female(2yr) and male(2yr). I had them since they were babies and they grow up together. My male eclectus(2yr) flew one day and I couldn't find him for 4 weeks and my female parrot started to get lonely so I decided to get her another male eclectus(8m).

I had them in separate cages but the 8month old eclectus cage was too small and I felt sorry for him so one day i put food in the big cage and put both birds together to eat and she bit his leg and it was bleeding a little.i left them separated after that but put the cages close hoping maybe slowly they will start to like each other.

After 4 week i got a phone call saying they had found my male eclectus parrot(2yr). My female eclectus (2yr) and male eclectus(2yr)were so happy to be together again.

After a few months the I got all three them sleeping together at night,also I got them eating together in the cage on the weekends(weekdays i work).She sometime stills bites him but never make him bleed.

My (1yr) male eclectus is really scared of her every since she bit on her leg, every time she go past he try to bite her. She being really good with him ever since the other male eclectus came back I think she was upset because the male eclectus flew away.She also tried to feed him a few time but he try to bite her thinking she is going to bite him.

I got new double twin cage, one with the divider in the middle it coming in a few weeks and I just wanted some advice if should put them in cage all together or should I separate them I feel sorry for my (1yr) male eclectus because he really loves the other (2yr) male eclectus and my (2yr) male eclectus really loves the female eclectus .

My female eclectus is a bit territory of her cage but if I put them all together at the same time in the new cage do u think she would get territory?

 

[Scott]

A very difficult question, made harder because of the temperaments of female Ekkies!

First, so happy your lost male was found and safely returned. Can't blame you for buying another during that time. Three together with birds that live well in aviaries, but the larger parrots are generally territorial. Three is also an odd number, particularly as they reach sexual maturity. Further, female Ekkies in the wild are notorious for being choosy on one hand, yet not monogamous over their lives.

I think the divided cage is a good idea, combining the two 2-year olds and having the younger male separate. Keep in mind you'll have to carefully watch as the female Ekkie may change her mind once she knows another male is available. Try having them socialize when supervised and see if they develop other loyalties.

This is not the best situation, but is a case where nobody is a fault and the best you can do is observe their preferences.

 

[BruceTheQuail]

I'd put the male in for a few weeks first, so that it is "his" territory - even if only in his side - and she is the guest when she moves in. And I'd have the sleeping perch in his side a little higher than the sleeping perch in hers.

We have a similar situation with a younger male and more mature hen. She used to bully him but now he is getting a little buff and she is showing a bit of interest and being a little more demure. They are a long way off being able to share a cage, though.

 

[Anansi]

Congrats on the recovery of your lost ekkie!

I would definitely keep them separate. Remember that in the wild, ekkies are not limited in terms of space. And wouldn't have to share a habitation so relatively small. Not to mention that if tensions rose, one or the other would be able to fly away. Since this isn't an option in a cage, you could potentially wind up with one ekkie or the other badly wounded or worse.

In fact, I personally opt to keep my ekkies separate even if they do get along. Just so that they never feel cramped in terms of their personal space. But that said, there are people who have quite successfully housed two ekkies together. I just want to make sure you understand there is an element of risk.

Oh! And a lot also depends on the size of the cage you're talking about. To house 3, even with a divider, that cage should be fairly massive.

 

[Yazo]

Thank you for the advice everyone
The new cage I getting is 186cmx108cmx173cm(WxDxH).
Is that large enough?

 

[Anansi]

Thank you for the advice everyone
The new cage I getting is 186cmx108cmx173cm(WxDxH).
Is that large enough?

For 3 ekkies? I'd say no. Even with a divider.