It has been a while and I realized I haven't given any updates on my ekkie flock. A friend brought a friend over more than a month ago who does wildlife education programs in local schools and events. She is a wonderful person and Lola INSTANTLY fell in love with her! When I rescued Gomez and Lola I knew that after vet testing and training to assess personalities that I would just be keeping Lola until I found her the perfect home since I wasn't looking for another female and her and Gomez are brother and sister. The woman came over another 3 times after the first visit. I really wanted to make sure it wasn't a one time thing. Lola couldn't get enough of her and when my husband went to remove her from the lady she lunged at him, that was a clear indicator to me that Lola had made the choice since Lola had liked my husband more than me from the get go. I get frequent updates and Lola is doing really great in her new home and has started to participate in the education programs and is doing very well with the attention. She doesn't let strangers handle her or anything like that she just brings them in and talks about proper care and the responsibility of pet ownership.
Jackson the SI male that was given to me by the breeder for money owed to me was related from a later clutch to Jillie so he found his forever home when I finished weaning him. He went to a woman who has a 4 year old male SI. She drove 3 hrs one way many times while he was still being fed to visit.
They both get along great (boys typically do) and all is going well. She loved the packet of information I give about proper care of eclectus and I always have instructions that if for ANY reason it doesn't work out I will take the bird back no questions.
So now I have RS male and female (Gomez and Ginger) and SI pair Jillie and Jolly. The funny thing is the two boys get along with each other and with Jillie. Ginger on the other hand changes the whole situation and changes the dynamic between them all in a very negative way.
They have their own room and are out of their cages most of the time, really only going in to eat and sleep. When the two boys are out with Jillie everything is great. They hang out together on the stands or the swings without any issues. If I let Ginger out with them they ALL fight, not just spats either, I mean fights where I have to intervene before someone gets hurt! I was forced to move Ginger out of the room since they would fight with her and her with them even through the bars.
It makes me sad since I really wanted them to have a flock life but I don't want anyone hurt. I guess because females are dominant and Jillie most certainly is top bird she keeps the boys in line but another female in the same territory changes it all. Anyway, that is the current situation I will continue to see if I can work out the issues so Ginger can be a part of the flock....I hope so. My breeder friend thinks it may always be an issue, she said boys typically will peacefully work out differences but not so with the ladies and since Jillie is so dominant and Ginger won't back down it plays into the flock dynamic but she is my "Dear Jillie Bean, Queen of Mean" and I have always known and accepted this about her.
Jackson the SI male that was given to me by the breeder for money owed to me was related from a later clutch to Jillie so he found his forever home when I finished weaning him. He went to a woman who has a 4 year old male SI. She drove 3 hrs one way many times while he was still being fed to visit.
They both get along great (boys typically do) and all is going well. She loved the packet of information I give about proper care of eclectus and I always have instructions that if for ANY reason it doesn't work out I will take the bird back no questions.So now I have RS male and female (Gomez and Ginger) and SI pair Jillie and Jolly. The funny thing is the two boys get along with each other and with Jillie. Ginger on the other hand changes the whole situation and changes the dynamic between them all in a very negative way.
They have their own room and are out of their cages most of the time, really only going in to eat and sleep. When the two boys are out with Jillie everything is great. They hang out together on the stands or the swings without any issues. If I let Ginger out with them they ALL fight, not just spats either, I mean fights where I have to intervene before someone gets hurt! I was forced to move Ginger out of the room since they would fight with her and her with them even through the bars.
It makes me sad since I really wanted them to have a flock life but I don't want anyone hurt. I guess because females are dominant and Jillie most certainly is top bird she keeps the boys in line but another female in the same territory changes it all. Anyway, that is the current situation I will continue to see if I can work out the issues so Ginger can be a part of the flock....I hope so. My breeder friend thinks it may always be an issue, she said boys typically will peacefully work out differences but not so with the ladies and since Jillie is so dominant and Ginger won't back down it plays into the flock dynamic but she is my "Dear Jillie Bean, Queen of Mean" and I have always known and accepted this about her.
