How many in a cage

[Wikidnik]

Hello,

I have finally found a breeder in my area, a long search.

What are the thoughts on having 2 adults in a large cage. The breeder says its fine and if they grow up together they wont fight - truth?

I don't have the space for 2 large cages (or the budget) - especially now that I've read that a more horizontal cage is better suited.

Do you think the 2 will be okay from 8 weeks up forever, or will I eventually have to get another cage?

Thank you

 

[clark_conure]

Are they from the same clutch? what breed? are they sexed?

 

[Kiwibird]

It is generally inadvisable to house 2 parrots in the same cage. Especially if they turn out to be a male and female. If you can't afford 2 cages of appropriate size, perhaps it would be best to only get one parrot who you can afford the proper setup for. If 2 cages is out of the budget, what are you going to do should both birds become sick or injured and need to see a very pricey avian specialized vet? It is not the only reason, but I know we couldn't really afford to have a second parrot. By not pushing it and only having the one we can afford, we are able to provide him a wonderful life instead of the mediocre/corner cutting of everything we'd have to do if we had 2. Better to give the best life possible to one than mediocre lives to 2 IMO

 

[LordTriggs]

if the cage is large enough to accommodate 2 and has 2 of everything to stop fights over food ETC then 1 cage is fine. Parrots will always have their squabbles of course but you do need a second cage if they start hurting each other and if you don't want babies you'll need either 2 of the same sex (dna tested) or they will have to be in separate cages. Saying that as far as space goes you'll need the same amount for 1 big cage or 2 smaller cages.

What I will say is going with 2 from the start may make it tricky in terms of taming them and keeping them tame, especially ringnecks who seem to be funnier with humans than other birds

 

[LordTriggs]

If you can't afford 2 cages of appropriate size, perhaps it would be best to only get one parrot who you can afford the proper setup for. If 2 cages is out of the budget, what are you going to do should both birds become sick or injured and need to see a very pricey avian specialized vet?

Excellent point about the money there

Also from what I can tell it's often cheaper to get 2 cages as the bigger ones are often used for "more exotic" (read £££££££) parrots so the cages are more substantial and expensive

 

[SilverSage]

Sorry but as a breeder of Irns myself I can tell you that's a great way to end up with a dead bird. SOME Irns will accept this but most will turn on each other in time. Just get one if you don't have the space for two.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Wikidnik]

Are they from the same clutch? what breed? are they sexed?

They are ringnecks. not sexed yet. from the same nest/clutch?

 

[Wikidnik]

Sorry but as a breeder of Irns myself I can tell you that's a great way to end up with a dead bird. SOME Irns will accept this but most will turn on each other in time. Just get one if you don't have the space for two.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you, that was my initial concern.

 

[SilverSage]

I'm glad you asked! Irns are quite unique. And trust me I have tried the "growing up together" method even with clutchmates it rarely works. My precious girls Nohea and Kaleo are a perfect example of how poorly this turns out most of the time. I'm thankful that I knew to be on the lookout early or Nohea would likely have been killed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Wikidnik]

It is generally inadvisable to house 2 parrots in the same cage. Especially if they turn out to be a male and female. If you can't afford 2 cages of appropriate size, perhaps it would be best to only get one parrot who you can afford the proper setup for. If 2 cages is out of the budget, what are you going to do should both birds become sick or injured and need to see a very pricey avian specialized vet? It is not the only reason, but I know we couldn't really afford to have a second parrot. By not pushing it and only having the one we can afford, we are able to provide him a wonderful life instead of the mediocre/corner cutting of everything we'd have to do if we had 2. Better to give the best life possible to one than mediocre lives to 2 IMO

Totally agree. I could probably afford a second cage at a later stage, just not the initial output. Especially since I'm getting a decent sized cages and not one you will find in a supermarket.

But yes, I thinking giving one bird my attention will be better than trying to divide it up. Can always look at a second later on.

 

[Wikidnik]

hahahahaha. ok the cage isn't THAT big.

 

[Wikidnik]

Thanks for all the comments. I have made the decision to just get the one.

 

[clark_conure]

I'm just curious why no "thank you" click for asking the most basic of questions! *sigh* don't worry it's ok, my conure is ripping my shirt seems apart as I wear it so I'm happy (literally I am, takes the attention away from me for a bit)

 

[Kiwibird]

I think getting just the one for now will be a good choice in the long run. You can always get a second bird in the future. You'll have a much easier time training and socializing one bird (especially if it's your first bird) as well as more available money in the bird budget for awesome toys, cool perches, top quality diet etc...

 

[Wikidnik]

I think getting just the one for now will be a good choice in the long run. You can always get a second bird in the future. You'll have a much easier time training and socializing one bird (especially if it's your first bird) as well as more available money in the bird budget for awesome toys, cool perches, top quality diet etc...

Not my first, but it has been about 11 years since my last.. and so much has changed, with regards to care etc.

One more question. Why the more horizontal cage vs the vertical cage?

 

[Wikidnik]

I'm just curious why no "thank you" click for asking the most basic of questions! *sigh* don't worry it's ok, my conure is ripping my shirt seems apart as I wear it so I'm happy (literally I am, takes the attention away from me for a bit)

lol!!! :09:

(I was just going to use the emoticon but it seems I need atleast 10 characters)

 

[clark_conure]

I was just, these are basic...then me and my bird had to go to the store and see if my bird's girlfriend...(cute little bird loving goth girl) was working, then I came back and the thread had taken off.

 

[Wikidnik]

Meet Pixel.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Wikidnik]

I was told he is 5 weeks old.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[LordTriggs]

Pixel! I love it! (I may need to steal it in the future)

horizontal cages are often preferred so they can fly a bit in the cage and run around a bit more

Glad you decided to go with 1, like you said there's always further down the line and boy yes care has changed much. I remember having Tiels when I was younger, whole family thought we gave them the best home we could. nowadays I'd say it was borderline abuse!

Looks like Pixel should fingers crossed be ready to come home for the holidays