Multi-bird households - do you have 2+ birds?

[MandyG]

2 is my limit for the time being. The only thing I haven't enjoyed after adding a second bird is the additional clean-up. I thought a smaller bird would make less of a mess but I was very mistaken!

Finding the time to spend with each bird individually hasn't been an issue. I take Pele out first and she's happiest being on me hanging out and using me as a jungle gym while I do homework or housework. She really doesn't care what I'm doing as long as she can be with me. Mojo is a little more hands off so I have him out while we're relaxing or while I'm doing things around the house that I can't do with a bird on me. He sits down with me for some cuddles for a few minutes and then flies to his play stand to do his own thing. Whenever he wants attention he'll fly or walk to me or call to me for some scritches. I only do training once or so a week so that hasn't been an issue.

Feeding hasn't changed as they both eat the same pellets and eat the same fresh foods. Toy expenses haven't increased a noticeable amount because Pele's toys are much smaller and cheaper than Mojo's.

The reason my two birds really work for me is because their personalities are different. I can find a way to have one or the other with me for the majority of the day when I'm home. When I'm doing something that doesn't suit one it will usually suit the other one so it will be their turn to be out.

[Mona]

I have five...each has a very different personality. As far as species, three Senegals and a Timneh grey and a Congo grey.

Personally, I think three parrots is enough. Mine do interact with each other but they are all definitely very "people" oriented. I reinforce flock interactions and I do think that helps a lot with managing them. Since they are all flighted, they can fly away if any other member of the flock becomes aggressive or toy possessive. I do keep an eye on them when they are out though because they are all very busy and very playful.

I do think another bird is good companionship for the other bird, even though they are not caged together. Most species of parrots are flock animals so I do think they can become insecure if they don't have members of their "perceived flock" around. A lot of birds perceive people as their flock....but if you have a job and can't be with the bird 24/7...(and who can?) I think having other birds in the room can help the bird feel more secure.

I write a lot about this on my website: www.flyingparrotsinside.com

It's a good topic. Thanks!

Mona

[gizmo101]

to me two birds is enough but when their of the same species it can complicate things slightly for some reasons more so because of terirorialness and dominence.

[mrstweet]

So how do you handle having more than one bird? How does it affect your family, homelife, and lifestyle, and what are the special concerns? Any advice for someone thinking about it?

I currently have six birds and I have to say if you have a GCC adding one more in a similar size range shouldn't be an issue. More than two is where it starts to get stressful, because you can get some jealousy issues or start playing favorites. My biggest concern is one attacking the other, which happened with my lovebird and GCC, even though they are friends now. Hope that helps!

[Grey_Moon]

If I had known what I know now I wouldn't of gotten such different species (cockatiel and a grey) and perhaps I would only be a single bird household.
Having two birds is tough---not only because of the doubled cost but because of trying to manage a flock that cant interact. I hate having to always pick who gets to come where and do what, I hate having to have two separate playtimes knowing that my schedule as a student is tight and that they get half the attention they would if I only had one of them. I hope one day they come to a truce and that I can have them at least out in the same room.
People have suggested that I could clip them---and I have to explain why I wouldn't clip them and how that wouldn't help anyway.

The bigger concern of course is travelling (I do not know what moves or universities are in my future, I foresee a lot of travelling though)--or what happens if I need to move out of country or out of province...most airlines/trains/etc only allow one pet onboard---so who do I have to risk in cargo? The other thing of course is the disease issue---if one gets sick and its contagious my bills are automatically doubled.

One small thing I find sort of irritating I guess is having two birds of dramatically different size...I wish there was as much variety in toys and things for my tiel as there was for my grey....so many interesting products don't come in a small bird size...and it would be cheaper for me to just buy one huge bag of pellets compared to two smaller bags of differing sizes.

[zazanomore]

I guess having birds from the same area makes things easier. The budgies and cockatiel eat the same pellets, eat the same millet, and use the same toys outside their cage.

When I buy things like perches and toys, I just need to double of things. Basically everything they use is the same.

The only thing that they have different is cages and premium bird seeds.

I think I could handle adding more Australian and New Zealand parakeets, as they would need the same care and would probably get along well together.

I think I'd have more work if I were to add a new world parrot, or African bird.

[MaineFiddler]

I was just about to start this topic til I saw this thread. As of right now, I only have one bird and can handle him quite well. I saw today in an ad for a Meyer's Parrot looking for a good home. I want it SO bad! Especially since I can't seem to locate a Meyer's breeder in the state of Maine. I'm concerned I may not be able to provide the loving affection they deserve. Not to mention my parents may not be crazy about the idea (I'm in my early 20's and still live at home.) *sigh* I guess I can hope and dream of the day that I may be able to get one. But I am still curious as to how you all can do it!

[patdbunny]

I prefer to have different species. For me it's easier to keep up with their emotional needs that way. I couldn't give 3 conures or 3 goffin cockatoos each the same type of interaction that they would need. At one point our household pets were - 2 tiels, 1 jenday, 1 CAG, 1 goffin, 1 M2. That was fine for me - the tiels liked head scritches and to hang out, the jenday I'd take more places with me, the CAG liked to be mellow and snuggle in front of the TV, the goffin was a hyper playful thing, and the M2 I'd play tag with in the yard. So basically a bird to fit my differing moods throughout the day. I didn't mind managing the different care and sizes. Everyone could be out all at the same time. They just weren't allowed to freely roam from playstand to playstand, cage to cage and hurt each other.

[kaylayuh]

I only have two budgies that are housed together (but gotten at different times -- three or so months apart), and there wasn't a big difference between one and two.

Pigpen (the older of the two) was incredibly messy to begin with, so adding the second was no big deal. And really, he's a lot neater of the two. If I had gotten Bird with No Name before I got Pigpen, there probably would have been a shock because he doesn't kick his food out of his dish or chew apart everything, whereas I need to vacuum twice daily with Pigpen to clean up all the seed and wood shavings she tears apart.

This is a great topic though. I definitely want to add a sun conure to my feathered family in the next few years.