TAKING NEST MATE

[katydid28]

Hi everyone,
I am hoping someone can give me some good advice. We are in the process of adopting our new baby red belly parrot. She is part of a litter (term?) with another female. This is our first parrot so we don't have much experience. We have been trying to soak up all the information we can find. Red bellies are not very common in our area but we were lucky enough to find a breeder only 4 hrs drive away. We are going down to meet her in a week. when she will be 7wks old. My problem is the breeder is asking us if we want the nest mate too. It wasnt really something I planned on or budgeted for she is offering a $50 discount for both. However I am feeling so guilty about seperating them. I always regretted not getting a playmate for our choc. lab. would this really be a beneficial situation for the parrots? We have a 30x30 cage so if i can house them together space wont be a problem. Is it even recommended to house them together? I have read that the female red bellies can be a little unfriendly to other birds but if they are from the same hatch would that be a problem? I dont feel the breeder is trying to force us into getting both for the money I just feel she would like to keep the birds together. Like I said it's really nothing that I planned on or can really afford right now, but if it would be a fantastic situation for the birds and us should I let it slip by?
Thanks!

[Michael]

She is part of a litter (term?) with another female

Clutch

My problem is the breeder is asking us if we want the nest mate too. It wasnt really something I planned on or budgeted for she is offering a $50 discount for both.

This is not a good reason for taking both and should not even be considered.

However I am feeling so guilty about seperating them.

Don't be. Most baby parrots are raised alongside others (wild and by breeders). This teaches them how to interact with other birds and be birds. However, it is not necessary to keep them with others they were raised with. It can even lead to rivalry down the line. In most species siblings are competing against each other rather than cooperating with each other anyway.

I always regretted not getting a playmate for our choc. lab. would this really be a beneficial situation for the parrots? We have a 30x30 cage so if i can house them together space wont be a problem. Is it even recommended to house them together? I have read that the female red bellies can be a little unfriendly to other birds but if they are from the same hatch would that be a problem? I dont feel the breeder is trying to force us into getting both for the money I just feel she would like to keep the birds together. Like I said it's really nothing that I planned on or can really afford right now, but if it would be a fantastic situation for the birds and us should I let it slip by?

I don't think it is necessary at all to keep them together. Down the line they could turn on each other if caged together and get in fights. There's no guarantees. It is best that you get a single parrot and work on the parrot-human relationship now and get it settled in. Then down the line you'll have a better grasp on things and be able to decide whether to add another or not.

[katydid28]

Thanks for the great advice!

We will not be taking the second baby. After your response I now know I should not feel guilty about seperating them and it in fact, it may not be beneficial for the birds or us. Thanks so much for all of the great information on your website! It has been such a wonderful learning experience and I am sure I will be referencing it often.
Thanks Again for advising us new parrot parents!

[liz]

My opinion, which does not match anyone else, is to take both. They are so young that you can bond to both. They can come out of cage seperatly for training.

I don't trick train anything. I don't teach anything to talk. They just learn like children. They also learn from each other.

I have 2 amazons, 20 and 2, that are like a 6 year old brother to a 2 year old sister. She pesters him and he gets mad at her but they are bonded just the same and both are bonded to us.

I just watched a couple videos of 2 ekkies. I don't remember where but they are current postings.

Keeping them together would make it easier to adjust to a new environment.

[cml]

My opinion, which does not match anyone else, is to take both. They are so young that you can bond to both. They can come out of cage seperatly for training.

I agree with you Liz ^^.
I believe that all parrots should have a buddy. However, it can be a little tougher on the owners, but chances are since they grew up together, this will be the easiest way possible to get a buddy for your parrot. The older they are, the harder it is to get them to accept the new flock member.

[katydid28]

Thanks for all of the great advice guys!
It was great to hear everyones opinion. All of the reasons that you mentioned (easiest way to add to the flock, companionship for the babies, easier adjustment period etc...) were all of the reasons that I was so tempted to take both. However, seeing that this is our first parrot I am afraid that it might be a little much to start our parrot parenthood. When I think how much fun it would be to have two babies I also can't help to think of how much trouble I could be getting into when the " Honeymoon" stage is over. At some point I also was thinking of adopting a rescue parrot and I know that could have problems all of its own. But at that point we would have enough experience to handle them better. All of those reasons were affecting my decision. I am sure that it could be a really awesome experience to have both, but I also have to be aware of our limitations emotionally and financially. Thats why I love this forum, Everyone is so nice and it's wonderful to get everyones viewpoint. I am so grateful for all the help!