Should i get 2 quakers or 1?

[depedean]

I am looking for advice -- I have been "visiting" 2 quakers in a nearby pet store for several weeks. The staff know why I am there when they see me come in. My question is the 2 have been housed together now for close to 2 months in the store and seem to have bonded and are quite close. (They have not been sexed) I feel like if I take just one that it will miss the other. I also realize that if I take both, they may not be as close to me as each other, which would help me not feel as guilty on days I don't have as much time to spend with them.



Also, regardless of if I buy these 2 or 2 from a breeder, should they have separate cages? I know Quakers can be a little territorial.


To complicate matters, I really love the personality of a GCC, but overall, believe they are louder than Quakers and a little more "needy".


Advice?

 

[Laurasea]

One thing I can say Quakers are louder than GCC. Maybe you aren't seeing that in your visit, or they may be young. But quajersije to make noise, they are loud, maybe volume of others species can beouder, but most quakers like to hear themselves.
I'm sure there are loud green cheecks, but I haven't met them , nir have my two ever been loud.

Welcome! I love both species.
Birds do take time, time everyday. Problems occure when they aren't getting enough attention.
A GCC is going to be slightly more forgiving of this than a Quaker in my opinion.

 

[noodles123]

Have you had a bird before?
Have these birds hit puberty yet?
It's a tough call, but if you must get these 2, I wouldn't keep them in the same cage if your goal is to bond with either---if you have had lots of bird experience maybe you could separate them,get both and keep them in 2 cages..(only because then you know what level of crazy you could be getting into), but as a first-time owner, that could be VERY challenging..Unless you really don't care if they like you that much. They often bond to the other bird and that makes it very hard for you (the stranger) to butt in (and sexuality adds a territorial layer and health risks).If you get both, you would need to have enough time (in theory) to attend to 2 birds in totally separate spheres (if they fight or want to mate). If you get 2, even if you think you can keep them together, remember that could all change--- are you able to spend at least 2 hours with each bird separately in the event that you must?

I wouldn't keep them together--especially because they haven't been sexed, but even if they had ***unless they are both the same sex, past puberty and have never ever shown any signs of sexual attraction or aggression*** Same-sex birds can and do mate and it can cause egg-binding/territorial issues in the partner bird.

That having been said, they are probably bonded, so it may be hard on them to be separated...Then again, my bird was separated from 3 of her previous owners and she got over it eventually (granted, I am sure there is lasting trauma, we did bond).
If you keep them in the same cage, they could fight or mate, or one could become egg-bound (even if they are both female---if hormones arise). If they haven't hit puberty, this reality could sink in later and that could be rough.
If you separate them into two cages nearby, that could potentially frustrate them (if this is hormonal attachment)--there are mixed opinions on this, but it has been done....That having been said, if they are sexually interested, they will mate the second they have a chance.
Bottom line---if you have never owned a bird, I would not start with 2....ever....Just my opinion. It probably has worked out for some here--- and it all depends on what you are after, but it is harder to bond with a pre-bonded pair and mating/egg-binding/fighting is a YOU KNOW WHAT...

 

[Laurasea]

This is a good article even if you have had birds for aong time. I also will add a second that u really love. As those who are on often know!
..
https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/bird-behavior/

https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/stress-reduction-for-parrot-companions/

Both I post often as I think covers a lot

 

[depedean]

Thank you so much for your advice. They are not sexually mature yet, are fine with being held and listen when I talk to them. They come to the side of the cage where I am, I swear they know me from coming to the store so much. I have had parakeets, a cockatiel, and "fostered" a dusky conure. I will have to think on it some more, I have more time some days than others, was hoping that since they have been together so long at the store, it might work at home.

 

[Noahs_Birds]

If you want 2 Quakers, buy yourself some lead earmuffs to block out the noise
Quakers require much more hard work than a conure or cockateil, and you need fingers of iron when they hit sexual maturity as they will get nippy and find that your fingers are a great thing to chew on (my fingers have turned to leather from all the birds bites I have gotten over the years
I would advise yourself to get a sort of 'Bread and Butter' bird like a Conure or a Bourkes Parrot or something like that
Thanks
Noah Till

 

[Laurasea]

OrIt's always so hard giving advice like this when we don't know everything aren't there.

Most of us have multiple birds, and I think having multiple birds is why sone if us have happier houses.

The two quakers might be able to live together for life, or down the road might need seperate cages. But still be good pals.
Maybe this a great thing to get two. Maybe not. I fall In to the category that having more than one bird is better for all. But usually they are gotten at seperate times. But then when done like that you don't know if they will like eachother. In this case you know they like eachother which is very nice. But two can be louder.....or two can be quieter because they aren't screaming because if lack of attention.
You have to follow your gut. You know how much time you have, how much noise you can tolerate. It's obvious you have a love of parrots.

Keep us posted ,

 

[Aspie_Aviphile]

Make sure they're not siblings or cousins if one is male and one female, because inbreeding is a real danger.