Poor Frank

[Loubie]

Oh dear, I introduced my 2 galahs Whirly (female) and Frank (male) into a single large aviary, 3 or 4 months ago. Everything had been fine- they're not friends, but they just leave each other alone. But this morning I found Frank cowering in the corner on the ground. I put him back up on a perch, and 2 seconds later there was flapping, I saw Whirly fly at him, and he was back cowering on the ground, and wouldn't let me put him back up. I put his bowl of food on the ground for him. Poor Frank, I hope he will be ok

 

[Terry57]

Poor Frank Do you have a cage you can move him to? I would definitely separate them for awhile.

 

[Loubie]

Yes- i do have a cage, maybe I should separate them again

 

[Terry57]

I think I would...they may be able to be together again after awhile Wonder why she started doing this now? Could she be hormonal?

 

[GaleriaGila]

Good fences make good neighbors. With people.

Separate cages make happier birds sometimes. I agree... separate!

 

[Loubie]

OK yes, I will separate them when I get home from work today (hopefully frank survives the day!)
its a big aviary - I'm wondering if i can hang a piece of mesh down the centre to keep them on their own sides of the aviary. Then I don't have to put frank into a small cage.

 

[Terry57]

Is it the same kind of mesh used as the cage sides? If so, that would be a great solution. But if you have to move one to a smaller cage, I would think about moving Whirly instead. If she is cage territorial she will claim the flight as her own and may never allow Frank back in.
I hope he has survived the day as well, please let us know how he's doing.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Indeed. Poor Frank. Please help him.

 

[Loubie]

Good thinking Terry 57. I will put Whirly rather than frank in the small cage until I can get to the shop for a piece of mesh to put down the middle. Thanks!

 

[Loubie]

I've sent my Dad there now to rescue FrAnk
Felt too bad leaving him all day in terror

 

[GraciesMom]

That's awesome to hear.. thanks for the update

Let us know how they are doing. I don't have any Galah experience to help ya but sounds like you're getting some great advice.

 

[Terry57]

I'm so relieved that your Dad is going to help Frank Please update us when you hear how he is.

 

[Scott]

Poor Frank indeed. Interesting that the female is more aggressive; know this can be the case with some species. Separating for now is definitely important as stress is very harmful, and Frank could develop health-related problems.

I have lots of experience with an aggressive male Too vs female, and in most cases it can turn very badly for the female. Had to separate my two very bonded and proven Goffins as he kept escalating his aggression. Same thing with a pair of Citrons.

Please keep us updated!!

 

[plumsmum2005]

I've sent my Dad there now to rescue FrAnk
Felt too bad leaving him all day in terror

Yes good idea, poor fella. Please update us how it's gone?

If Frank is like my Plum then I can see why he is getting the brunt of it. Be careful of jaggy/sharp edges when you do the partitioning/centre piece for the aviary.

 

[SirEdwin89]

Cant say I blame frank. Im afraid of my wife as well!

 

[Terry57]

How is Frank doing?

 

[GaleriaGila]

Sir Edwin...

My husband said the same thing while reading this over my shoulder!

WELL!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Siobhan]

She is obviously the alpha bird and she's not going to allow him anything. Clyde and Jade are that way (Quakers) though Clyde just lunges at Jade and she immediately gives way and lets him have whatever he wants. They share a room with two tiels and a budgie, and Jade bosses all the others around except Clyde. They don't actually fight and the room is big enough, with plenty of perches and food dishes and things for everyone, but it sounds like that's not the case with the aviary and Whirly is territorial over all of it. Poor Frank.

 

[Loubie]

Whirly is still in a separate cage (it's been a week now).
Frank has seemed quite glum, and has been sitting in the same spot in the aviary for days, and doesn't come over to say hello to me while I give him breakfast every morning like he used to.... I can't decide if he is still recovering from the trauma of being bullied last week, or if he is unhappy because he is now alone??? I wish I understood birds better...
I was thinking to try putting Whirly back in the aviary tomorrow, because I'm not working the next 4 days, so I can monitor what's happening between them.
I REALLY hope they can go back to co-existing - its such a lovely big aviary, and I hate to see Whirly in a small cage when she could be flying around in the aviary.
I'll keep you posted on the re-introduction!

 

[SirEdwin89]

Whirly is still in a separate cage (it's been a week now).
Frank has seemed quite glum, and has been sitting in the same spot in the aviary for days, and doesn't come over to say hello to me while I give him breakfast every morning like he used to.... I can't decide if he is still recovering from the trauma of being bullied last week, or if he is unhappy because he is now alone??? I wish I understood birds better...
I was thinking to try putting Whirly back in the aviary tomorrow, because I'm not working the next 4 days, so I can monitor what's happening between them.
I REALLY hope they can go back to co-existing - its such a lovely big aviary, and I hate to see Whirly in a small cage when she could be flying around in the aviary.
I'll keep you posted on the re-introduction!

I think we all probably wish we understood our fids a bit better. They can be complicated buggers sometimes, and by sometimes, i mean pretty much always

I hope the re-introductions go well, having 4 days off to monitor them is great though. I'll be wishing you and Frank luck!