Question:
Well that’s nice, Jack, but I’ve clipped a hell of a lot of birds in the last 25 years or so, and I do one of two clips on them all. Kids get a less severe clip than adults. I usually clip about an inch beyond the primary coverts with them. It’s the adults (generally only budgies and lovebirds though I have had a couple really strong tiels in that time, too) that are still able to fly. Nita www.nitasnest.homestead.com Visit Nita’s Nest, featuring "Beginning with Birds" basic care guide – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> > I’ve had several budgies that I clipped that could still fly all the way >> > across the room. I’ve also seen a lovebird clipped the same that could >> > actually hover at your face for as long as he wanted. His name was Jet, > but >> > he might have been more aptly called Copter. All these birds were clipped >> > right up to the primary wing coverts, and it did NOT have the usual > effect. >> How about the secondaries? > Cut line begins just below the primary coverts, taking out all primary flights > and all but maybe two of the secondary flights closest to the body. If I > clipped a tiel like this in most cases they’d drop like a sack. Not so in all > budgies. > IMHO, it’s the variability and/or inefficiency of the clipping, not the > birds’ anatomical differences, that explain these accounts of some > clipped birds flying. > Jack > — > aka Keet Visit my web page at http://junior.apk.net/~jac/ > ** Email, except for post cc’s and ads, is always welcomed ** > If you post a followup, -DO NOT- email me a copy of it! > "Spell check her are worth less."
Response:
> From everything that I’ve read or have been told about parakeets, 2 males > are fine together, a male and female are fine together, but NEVER put two > females together! > HAHA-I’ll be getting another parakeet soon, but not until I can determine > the sex of Lemon! I don’t need trouble. > Judy the human, Ozzie the cockatiel and Lemon the Budgie
I have never had a problem with two females together. Lorien, the keet who died last year, was a female. She and Rachael were like best pals or something. I swear, if they could have gone shopping for budgie toys and then "done lunch" they would have! (laughing) The problem with sexing a budgie is you can’t really tell (at least I can’t; I’m not a breeder or a vet, maybe they can) until they’re 3-4 months old if they are male or female. And I’ve always bought my budgies very young, before the stripes recede on the forehead and the cere changes to its final color. So, even if you determine Lemon’s sex, if you buy a young bird as a companion, how are you going to know what sex the new bird is? I’m curious. BTW, I am assuming Lemon is a yellow budgie from the name? (smile) Jill
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Jack, you sound like you are as spoiling for a fight as my budgie hen sometimes seems to be. Sorry, I’m not interested.
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I’ve had several budgies that I clipped that could still fly all the way across the room. I’ve also seen a lovebird clipped the same that could actually hover at your face for as long as he wanted. His name was Jet, but he might have been more aptly called Copter. All these birds were clipped right up to the primary wing coverts, and it did NOT have the usual effect. — Nita www.nitasnest.homestead.com Visit Nita’s Nest, featuring "Beginning with Birds" basic care guide – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Jack – well clipped is primary and secondary flight feathers. Some > birds just manage to fly no matter what the clip. > I don’t believe that, and never have. There’s not -that- much > variability in budgie anatomy. If the primaries and secondaries are > clipped close to the coverts, what’s left is inadequate to move enough > air, no matter how strong the flight muscles. A bird will drop like a > penguin. > My (board certified > avian) vet always trys to give my DYH a light clip, because he’d broken > a wing in a former home (he was a rescue bird) and my vet seems to think > he won’t be able to fly at all. I have to keep reminding him that this > DYH is a very strong flyer, even with an extensive clip. Even after a > new wing clip, when the vet assured me he’d not fly, he flew from his > parrot tree across the living room, a good 25 feet, made a perfect right > angle turn, another one, and flew into another room and landed on one of > those bungee rope perches in the den. > So was this another "light" clip? I’d love to see a pic of the underside > of this bird’s outstretched wings. > He and the budgie are both good flyers, even when well clipped. > Lets see some pics. > The BFA, doesn’t even try to fly, > though she is 20 years old and perhaps has just gotten used to clipped > wings. > That seems sad to me. > As for why don’t we give the budgie away, she is a bossy little thing > but we are fond of her, and she is fond of us, and our birds. She is > even fond of the blue front. As the blue front doesn’t fly, we simply > keep the budgie and the BF separated now. The DYH doesn’t seem to mind > being bossed by her, we simply cage the budgie when we think she is > being too offensive to him. Even when the budgie is caged, she’s in the > family room off the kitchen, and there’s always someone in there with > her, so she’s hardly isolated. > Maybe it’s just me, but I cringe when a bird’s safety/well-being is > compromised by the presence of other pet animals. Especially in a high > maintenance environment, where the stakes are high if something should go > wrong. > Jack > — > aka Keet Visit my web page at http://junior.apk.net/~jac/ > ** Email, except for post cc’s and ads, is always welcomed ** > If you post a followup, -DO NOT- email me a copy of it! > "Spell check her are worth less."
Response:
Cut line begins just below the primary coverts, taking out all primary flights and all but maybe two of the secondary flights closest to the body. If I clipped a tiel like this in most cases they’d drop like a sack. Not so in all budgies. — Nita www.nitasnest.homestead.com Visit Nita’s Nest, featuring "Beginning with Birds" basic care guide – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’ve had several budgies that I clipped that could still fly all the way > across the room. I’ve also seen a lovebird clipped the same that could > actually hover at your face for as long as he wanted. His name was Jet, but > he might have been more aptly called Copter. All these birds were clipped > right up to the primary wing coverts, and it did NOT have the usual effect. > How about the secondaries? > Jack > — > aka Keet Visit my web page at http://junior.apk.net/~jac/ > ** Email, except for post cc’s and ads, is always welcomed ** > If you post a followup, -DO NOT- email me a copy of it! > "Spell check her are worth less."
Response:
> Since your one parakeet is 5yrs old could she not be needing a male mate. I > was just wondering on when parakeets actually mature to a breeding period? > Regards > Rene
I hadn’t thought of that, since I don’t intend to breed parakeets and I’m not sure what the sexually mature/active age is for them. I’ve had parakeets since I was given my first at age 6 (I’m 40 now). I’ve never run into this particular problem before, regardless of the sex of the birds who were rooming together. I’m beginning to think since the young one is just over a year old she’s like a "teenager" who is just pissing Rachael off! I’ll keep them separated for a couple of weeks, then try re-integrating them and see what happens. Jill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi folks, I’m new to the group. I have two parakeets, both female. > Rachael > is about 5 years old and Taz (short for Tazmanian Devil!) is just over a > year old now. My SO bought Taz after Rachael’s other pal, Lorien, died > last > year. They have the usual occasional budgie squabbles, but for the most > part they have always gotten along just fine. > Last week, I started noticing bent and frayed tail feathers (on both of > them). Then last Thursday evening I noticed Taz was favoring her left > foot, > keeping the right one slightly off the perch most of the time. (Initially > it appeared she was just tucking it up, so I’m not sure when the injury > occurred.) I watched to make sure it wasn’t serious enough to hamper her > getting around or require a trip to the vet. (It seems to be better now.) > I didn’t notice them behaving any differently in the evenings, but I’m at > work all day during the week (I’m on vacation this week). > Then came the weekend. It quickly became apparent those two have taken to > fighting like cats and dogs! Saturday morning I heard squawking and went > into the living room to find Rachael had Taz hanging upside down from the > perch, pecking at her. Taz isn’t an innocent in this, either. After a > number of incidents, which appear to take place primarily in the mornings > (go figure) I thought it would be best to separate them. So I moved Taz > to > another cage I have. > I don’t want to maintain two cages, and I don’t want to get rid of either > of > them. When they were getting along they were just as cute as could be > together, occasionally preening each other and chirping quietly to each > other. They’d even sit on the swing together. I can’t figure out why > they > have suddenly taken to fighting like this. Any ideas? > Jill > –Beloved dog Sampson: April, 1982 – November, 1999 > —and 2 cute parakeets, Rachael & Taz (still with us)
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I’ve had >parakeets since I was given my first at age 6 (I’m 40 now). I’ve never run >into this particular problem before, regardless of the sex of the birds who >were rooming together. I’m beginning to think since the young one is just >over a year old she’s like a "teenager" who is just pissing Rachael off! >I’ll keep them separated for a couple of weeks, then try re-integrating them >and see what happens. >Jill
The best way to re-introduce them, would be to put them both into a new cage, as that way, there won’t be any territorial problems. IMO, most small bird cages are way too small. Everyone, needs their own space, and room to get away from an aggressive mate. Regards
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From everything that I’ve read or have been told about parakeets, 2 males are fine together, a male and female are fine together, but NEVER put two females together! HAHA-I’ll be getting another parakeet soon, but not until I can determine the sex of Lemon! I don’t need trouble. Judy the human, Ozzie the cockatiel and Lemon the Budgie
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I have a hen keet that can fly very well, even with well clipped wings, and she gets depressed if confined in her very large cage with plenty of toys. Until she was about three, she got along well enough with my two zons — that is, she flew to their cages and badgered them, and they largely ignored her, or played with her. One day, though, after three years of compatibility, she ticked off my BFA hen, who nipped her on the toe and drew blood. We saved her toe, but now we keep her away from the BFA. She gets along better with the DYH, who puts up with her, even feeds her, or tries to, but she badgers him something fierce, too, goes to his dishes and throws all his food on the floor, with scathing comments on his eating habits, bites his toes and generally badgers and scolds him. So we’re pretty careful to supervise them now, and to cage the budgie when she’s too obnoxious. Of course, then she sulks and gets depressed, and the DYH misses her too. It’s hard to know what to do with these feisty budgies. She makes more noise than both zons combined with her scolding. She bites more too. And she has no fear at all.
Response:
Jack – well clipped is primary and secondary flight feathers. Some birds just manage to fly no matter what the clip. My (board certified avian) vet always trys to give my DYH a light clip, because he’d broken a wing in a former home (he was a rescue bird) and my vet seems to think he won’t be able to fly at all. I have to keep reminding him that this DYH is a very strong flyer, even with an extensive clip. Even after a new wing clip, when the vet assured me he’d not fly, he flew from his parrot tree across the living room, a good 25 feet, made a perfect right angle turn, another one, and flew into another room and landed on one of those bungee rope perches in the den. He and the budgie are both good flyers, even when well clipped. The BFA, doesn’t even try to fly, though she is 20 years old and perhaps has just gotten used to clipped wings. As for why don’t we give the budgie away, she is a bossy little thing but we are fond of her, and she is fond of us, and our birds. She is even fond of the blue front. As the blue front doesn’t fly, we simply keep the budgie and the BF separated now. The DYH doesn’t seem to mind being bossed by her, we simply cage the budgie when we think she is being too offensive to him. Even when the budgie is caged, she’s in the family room off the kitchen, and there’s always someone in there with her, so she’s hardly isolated.
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Isn’t it amazing how many tiny pieces those "unbreakable" plates can break into?? I have had several shatter on me. I guess you just use the shattered bits as tiny plates? 
Mari-Sue – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > That’s what I was looking for. $62.20 (after shipping and tax) is a > pretty expensive drain rack but if the macaws can’t damage it it’s worth > it. Now I need an all stainless coffee maker with an armored cord. > 
They’ve distroyed two "Mr. Coffee’s" since I’ve had them. > They managed to break a Corning "unbreakable" plate two days ago. They > pushed it off the counter. I’d warmed their frozen vegetables on it but > got a phone call and hadn’t filled their bowls. Macaws have no > patience. > — > Lou Boyd > Lou Boyd said: > > I’m trying to find an > >all stainless steel drying rack. Plastic coated steel doesn’t work, > >they just peel the plastic off. > Williams-Sonoma carries them. A bit on the pricey side, but there will be no > more plastic confett. > http://www.williams-sonoma.com/cat/category.cfm?gfx=on&cat=hswdrk > —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– > http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! > —–== Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–
Response:
Since your one parakeet is 5yrs old could she not be needing a male mate. I was just wondering on when parakeets actually mature to a breeding period? Regards Rene
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi folks, I’m new to the group. I have two parakeets, both female. Rachael > is about 5 years old and Taz (short for Tazmanian Devil!) is just over a > year old now. My SO bought Taz after Rachael’s other pal, Lorien, died last > year. They have the usual occasional budgie squabbles, but for the most > part they have always gotten along just fine. > Last week, I started noticing bent and frayed tail feathers (on both of > them). Then last Thursday evening I noticed Taz was favoring her left foot, > keeping the right one slightly off the perch most of the time. (Initially > it appeared she was just tucking it up, so I’m not sure when the injury > occurred.) I watched to make sure it wasn’t serious enough to hamper her > getting around or require a trip to the vet. (It seems to be better now.) > I didn’t notice them behaving any differently in the evenings, but I’m at > work all day during the week (I’m on vacation this week). > Then came the weekend. It quickly became apparent those two have taken to > fighting like cats and dogs! Saturday morning I heard squawking and went > into the living room to find Rachael had Taz hanging upside down from the > perch, pecking at her. Taz isn’t an innocent in this, either. After a > number of incidents, which appear to take place primarily in the mornings > (go figure) I thought it would be best to separate them. So I moved Taz to > another cage I have. > I don’t want to maintain two cages, and I don’t want to get rid of either of > them. When they were getting along they were just as cute as could be > together, occasionally preening each other and chirping quietly to each > other. They’d even sit on the swing together. I can’t figure out why they > have suddenly taken to fighting like this. Any ideas? > Jill > –Beloved dog Sampson: April, 1982 – November, 1999 > —and 2 cute parakeets, Rachael & Taz (still with us)
Response:
< They pulled all the knobs off of my >kitchen range. Epoxy fixed that.
You glued their beaks together? 
Regards
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Glued their beaks together, thanks for the laugh, I needed that. Sharon
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > < They pulled all the knobs off of my >kitchen range. Epoxy fixed that. > You glued their beaks together? > Regards
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> Thank you, but I don’t think this is food related. I’ve put no special > treats in the cage in the last week. Sure, I’ve seen them squabble over the > seed cup (I have extra large ones) and the millet spray and even the > cuttlebone. This seems to be a tad more serious than the usual squabbles > and I’m at a loss as to what to do. They always got along before, but this > looks like all-out war! Makes no sense to me since it just started > happening. Maybe Taz "said something" to Rachael that ticked her off > (laughing). Who knows what budgies "talk" about when they are chattering?
My two hens seem to say: "That’s MY PERCH! GET OFF!" "That’s MY MAN! Get away from him. NO! That one’s mine, too!" "I’m the only one that can eat now!" "That’s MY TOY!" Hens tend to get pretty territorial when they reach sexual maturity. If your younger bird has recently reached That Age, then they’re most likely squabbling over territories. Separate cages are probably in order, or a huge cage. My hens do fine with two males in a 30" x 18" x 40" cage. My cage was made by YML – it’s cheap, and not the sturdiest, but safe as long as you do not have any free-roaming pets. -J. — Jennifer Mullen | "What I find fantastic is the notion | realm of science. The answers are | there, you just have to know where | to look." — character of Dana
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Lou Boyd said: > I’m trying to find an >all stainless steel drying rack. Plastic coated steel doesn’t work, >they just peel the plastic off.
Williams-Sonoma carries them. A bit on the pricey side, but there will be no more plastic confett. http://www.williams-sonoma.com/cat/category.cfm?gfx=on&cat=hswdrk
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That’s what I was looking for. $62.20 (after shipping and tax) is a pretty expensive drain rack but if the macaws can’t damage it it’s worth it. Now I need an all stainless coffee maker with an armored cord. They’ve distroyed two "Mr. Coffee’s" since I’ve had them. They managed to break a Corning "unbreakable" plate two days ago. They pushed it off the counter. I’d warmed their frozen vegetables on it but got a phone call and hadn’t filled their bowls. Macaws have no patience. — Lou Boyd > Lou Boyd said: > I’m trying to find an >all stainless steel drying rack. Plastic coated steel doesn’t work, >they just peel the plastic off. > Williams-Sonoma carries them. A bit on the pricey side, but there will be no > more plastic confett. > http://www.williams-sonoma.com/cat/category.cfm?gfx=on&cat=hswdrk
—–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–== Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–
Response:
> Thanks, Jack. Maybe it is just a "need their own space" scenario. They got > along fine until recently. This may sound nuts, but I’m wondering if it has > anything to do with Taz not being a "baby" anymore. I’ve had keets all my > life, but never two who were so far apart in age. And never two who > suddenly started fighting like this. > I wish I had a room where they could fly around free. I live in an > apartment and space is an issue. I also don’t want them flying into the > kitchen, which has an open pass-through into the dining/living area directly > in front of the stove. Kitchens are not good places for birds
There are two major changes during a birds life. Going from an dependent baby to an independent adolescent and reaching sexual maturity. With parakeets (and most parrots) both cause significant social changes. Parent parakeets will insist that their offspring "leave the nest" when they should. If they’re locked in a cage together so the babies can’t physically leave they will sometimes be killed by their parents trying to make them leave. They can usually be introduced back with mature birds, even the parents, when they get a little older. Many sexually mature birds "must" have territorial space and will fight others of their kind and sex to achieve it. The space usually isn’t huge but is often larger than a cage. They have no choice but to fight. Some simply don’t have the logic to reach a truce. Instinct can be stronger than reason. In the wild the weaker bird would just move a short distance. In a cage it may have to die to settle the dispute. An adolecent bird isn’t a territorial threat to a mature bird. That probably explains why yours have started fighting. Just get another cage (or a considerably larger one) and accept the extra work. That’s part of having the mental illness called MBD (multiple bird disorder). If I were your landlord I wouldn’t want you letting your birds free either. Free birds do cause damage. If you own the home you can make the choice to accept the damage and make repairs yourself or pay to have it done. Kitchens can be made "bird safe" but you have to change your lifestyle to do it. You can’t leave any food out even if covered or in sealed plastic bags. With large birds like my macaws I can’t leave any electrical appliance outside of a cabinet. The birds will chew the power cords. Out-of-sight out-of mind seems to work, so far at least. All my cookware is stainless steel. I’ve had them chew the wooden handles off utensils so they have to be solid metal. THey’ll bite dents or holes in thin aluminmun. Soda cans must be hidden out of reach. My male B&G will pick up a soda can and shake it while puncturing it with his upper beak. He loves the shower! He hasn’t figured out tab-tops but doesn’t need them. Any plastic containers left out won’t last an hour even if they’re empty. Both of my macaws can open "Rubbermaid" containers as quickly as I can, but they damage the lids in the process. I’m trying to find an all stainless steel drying rack. Plastic coated steel doesn’t work, they just peel the plastic off. They pulled all the knobs off of my kitchen range. Epoxy fixed that. They aren’t mean birds. These are sweet and and cuddly birds which never bite me. That doesn’t stop them from being destructive. Yes, the have chew toys and wooden blocks. They chew those too. After all they’re birds … descendents of the dinosaurs. They have to keep their beaks sharp. It’s a matter of their personal pride. — Lou Boyd —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–== Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–
Response:
> Jill: I have two budgies (both males) that squabble once in a while. > Most of the time it’s food-related. When I put treats into the cage > (like rice/pasta/veg), I supply *two* cups because both Rocket and Toby > would argue over who would eat first when only one cup was given. Could > this be the problem? Also, I’ve seen them beak-fight when I clip a > piece of millet onto the bars, but that doesn’t last too long. It’s > mostly the cups of rice or pasta that they spar over.
Hi Linda, Thank you, but I don’t think this is food related. I’ve put no special treats in the cage in the last week. Sure, I’ve seen them squabble over the seed cup (I have extra large ones) and the millet spray and even the cuttlebone. This seems to be a tad more serious than the usual squabbles and I’m at a loss as to what to do. They always got along before, but this looks like all-out war! Makes no sense to me since it just started happening. Maybe Taz "said something" to Rachael that ticked her off (laughing). Who knows what budgies "talk" about when they are chattering? > Since it’s not feasible to let your birds fly free, I wonder if perhaps > getting a much bigger cage would solve the problem. Budgies, like a lot > of birds, tend to be territorial. In a new, larger cage both your birds > may just map our their own territory and be content with that.
It’s a thought, but the cage is 2 feet tall, about 1-1/2 feet wide and about 1 foot deep, with multi-level perches. I’m not sure how much larger a cage I should need for 2 parakeets. As it is, Taz is sitting in a cage on the floor until I can sort this behavior thing out. > I don’t know if the foregoing is of any help. Perhaps others on the > newsgroup can come up with some solutions. Good luck with your little > girls. > — > Linda
Thanks a bunch! Jill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > Parakeets have been know to kill each other. Separate them > > immediately! You may be able to put them back together later, maybe > > not. Is "not wanting to maintain two cages" worth having one of them > > dead or injured? I solve the "too many cages" and fighting problem by > > letting my birds fly free within part of the house but they’re not > > parakeets. > > — > > Lou Boyd > Thanks, Lou. I already *did* separate them. I can’t let them fly free > because this is an apartment and not large enough for me to give the > birds > their "own room". Any thoughts as to why, after a year, they are > suddenly > at odds with each other? > Jill > > > Hi folks, I’m new to the group. I have two parakeets, both female. > Rachael > > > is about 5 years old and Taz (short for Tazmanian Devil!) is just > > > over a > > > year old now. My SO bought Taz after Rachael’s other pal, Lorien, > > > died > last > > > year. They have the usual occasional budgie squabbles, but for the > > > most > > > part they have always gotten along just fine. > > > Last week, I started noticing bent and frayed tail feathers (on both > > > of > > > them). Then last Thursday evening I noticed Taz was favoring her > > > left > foot, > > > keeping the right one slightly off the perch most of the time. > (Initially > > > it appeared she was just tucking it up, so I’m not sure when the > > > injury > > > occurred.) I watched to make sure it wasn’t serious enough to hamper > her > > > getting around or require a trip to the vet. (It seems to be better > now.) > > > I didn’t notice them behaving any differently in the evenings, but > > > I’m > at > > > work all day during the week (I’m on vacation this week). > > > Then came the weekend. It quickly became apparent those two have > > > taken > to > > > fighting like cats and dogs! Saturday morning I heard squawking and > went > > > into the living room to find Rachael had Taz hanging upside down from > the > > > perch, pecking at her. Taz isn’t an innocent in this, either. After > > > a > > > number of incidents, which appear to take place primarily in the > mornings > > > (go figure) I thought it would be best to separate them. So I moved > > > Taz > to > > > another cage I have. > > > I don’t want to maintain two cages, and I don’t want to get rid of > either of > > > them. When they were getting along they were just as cute as could > > > be > > > together, occasionally preening each other and chirping quietly to > > > each > > > other. They’d even sit on the swing together. I can’t figure out > > > why > they > > > have suddenly taken to fighting like this. Any ideas?
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> > they >> > have suddenly taken to fighting like this. Any ideas? >> Sometimes critters need their own space. The ideal situation would be to >> let them just fly around free in your house. > Thanks, Jack. Maybe it is just a "need their own space" scenario. They got > along fine until recently. This may sound nuts, but I’m wondering if it has > anything to do with Taz not being a "baby" anymore. I’ve had keets all my > life, but never two who were so far apart in age. And never two who > suddenly started fighting like this. > I wish I had a room where they could fly around free. I live in an > apartment and space is an issue. I also don’t want them flying into the > kitchen, which has an open pass-through into the dining/living area directly > in front of the stove. Kitchens are not good places for birds > Not while you’re cooking, no. Otherwise, so what? Unless they decide to > crap all over your countertops. > I once had a hen who decided to explore under the top of my gas stove. > She dropped through the gap around a burner and was having a wonderful > time rummaging around in there. Fortunately, she did that only one time. > I would not have been pleased had she wanted to make that a regular > hangout. > Jack
(laughing) well how do you train a bird not to crap when and where it wants to? Besides, cooking is my main "hobby"; when I’m at home I nearly always have something simmering on the stove. I truly wish I had a place where the birds could safely fly around, but I don’t feel that’s the case. As for kitchens in general, I once had a keet land in the sink and decide the garbage disposal looked interesting. Thank goodness I was able to grab her before she checked it out. My brother let his keet fly one day and he got stuck behind the refrigerator. Scott had a terrible time moving the fridge to get at the bird. IMHO, kitchens are not a good place for budgies. They are simply too curious, as you noted with your hen and the stove But I do appreciate your input! Jill
Response:
Jill: I have two budgies (both males) that squabble once in a while. Most of the time it’s food-related. When I put treats into the cage (like rice/pasta/veg), I supply *two* cups because both Rocket and Toby would argue over who would eat first when only one cup was given. Could this be the problem? Also, I’ve seen them beak-fight when I clip a piece of millet onto the bars, but that doesn’t last too long. It’s mostly the cups of rice or pasta that they spar over. Since it’s not feasible to let your birds fly free, I wonder if perhaps getting a much bigger cage would solve the problem. Budgies, like a lot of birds, tend to be territorial. In a new, larger cage both your birds may just map our their own territory and be content with that. I don’t know if the foregoing is of any help. Perhaps others on the newsgroup can come up with some solutions. Good luck with your little girls. — Linda – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Parakeets have been know to kill each other. Separate them > immediately! You may be able to put them back together later, maybe > not. Is "not wanting to maintain two cages" worth having one of them > dead or injured? I solve the "too many cages" and fighting problem by > letting my birds fly free within part of the house but they’re not > parakeets. > — > Lou Boyd > Thanks, Lou. I already *did* separate them. I can’t let them fly free > because this is an apartment and not large enough for me to give the > birds > their "own room". Any thoughts as to why, after a year, they are > suddenly > at odds with each other? > Jill > > Hi folks, I’m new to the group. I have two parakeets, both female. > Rachael > > is about 5 years old and Taz (short for Tazmanian Devil!) is just > > over a > > year old now. My SO bought Taz after Rachael’s other pal, Lorien, > > died > last > > year. They have the usual occasional budgie squabbles, but for the > > most > > part they have always gotten along just fine. > > Last week, I started noticing bent and frayed tail feathers (on both > > of > > them). Then last Thursday evening I noticed Taz was favoring her > > left > foot, > > keeping the right one slightly off the perch most of the time. > (Initially > > it appeared she was just tucking it up, so I’m not sure when the > > injury > > occurred.) I watched to make sure it wasn’t serious enough to hamper > her > > getting around or require a trip to the vet. (It seems to be better > now.) > > I didn’t notice them behaving any differently in the evenings, but > > I’m > at > > work all day during the week (I’m on vacation this week). > > Then came the weekend. It quickly became apparent those two have > > taken > to > > fighting like cats and dogs! Saturday morning I heard squawking and > went > > into the living room to find Rachael had Taz hanging upside down from > the > > perch, pecking at her. Taz isn’t an innocent in this, either. After > > a > > number of incidents, which appear to take place primarily in the > mornings > > (go figure) I thought it would be best to separate them. So I moved > > Taz > to > > another cage I have. > > I don’t want to maintain two cages, and I don’t want to get rid of > either of > > them. When they were getting along they were just as cute as could > > be > > together, occasionally preening each other and chirping quietly to > > each > > other. They’d even sit on the swing together. I can’t figure out > > why > they > > have suddenly taken to fighting like this. Any ideas?
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> number of incidents, which appear to take place primarily in the mornings > (go figure) I thought it would be best to separate them. So I moved Taz to > another cage I have. > I don’t want to maintain two cages, and I don’t want to get rid of either of > them. When they were getting along they were just as cute as could be > together, occasionally preening each other and chirping quietly to each > other. They’d even sit on the swing together. I can’t figure out why they > have suddenly taken to fighting like this. Any ideas? > Sometimes critters need their own space. The ideal situation would be to > let them just fly around free in your house. > Jack > — > aka Keet Visit my web page at http://junior.apk.net/~jac/ > ** Email, except for post cc’s and ads, is always welcomed ** > If you post a followup, -DO NOT- email me a copy of it! > "Spell check her are worth less."
Thanks, Jack. Maybe it is just a "need their own space" scenario. They got along fine until recently. This may sound nuts, but I’m wondering if it has anything to do with Taz not being a "baby" anymore. I’ve had keets all my life, but never two who were so far apart in age. And never two who suddenly started fighting like this. I wish I had a room where they could fly around free. I live in an apartment and space is an issue. I also don’t want them flying into the kitchen, which has an open pass-through into the dining/living area directly in front of the stove. Kitchens are not good places for birds Jill
Response:
Parakeets have been know to kill each other. Separate them immediately! You may be able to put them back together later, maybe not. Is "not wanting to maintain two cages" worth having one of them dead or injured? I solve the "too many cages" and fighting problem by letting my birds fly free within part of the house but they’re not parakeets. — Lou Boyd – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi folks, I’m new to the group. I have two parakeets, both female. Rachael > is about 5 years old and Taz (short for Tazmanian Devil!) is just over a > year old now. My SO bought Taz after Rachael’s other pal, Lorien, died last > year. They have the usual occasional budgie squabbles, but for the most > part they have always gotten along just fine. > Last week, I started noticing bent and frayed tail feathers (on both of > them). Then last Thursday evening I noticed Taz was favoring her left foot, > keeping the right one slightly off the perch most of the time. (Initially > it appeared she was just tucking it up, so I’m not sure when the injury > occurred.) I watched to make sure it wasn’t serious enough to hamper her > getting around or require a trip to the vet. (It seems to be better now.) > I didn’t notice them behaving any differently in the evenings, but I’m at > work all day during the week (I’m on vacation this week). > Then came the weekend. It quickly became apparent those two have taken to > fighting like cats and dogs! Saturday morning I heard squawking and went > into the living room to find Rachael had Taz hanging upside down from the > perch, pecking at her. Taz isn’t an innocent in this, either. After a > number of incidents, which appear to take place primarily in the mornings > (go figure) I thought it would be best to separate them. So I moved Taz to > another cage I have. > I don’t want to maintain two cages, and I don’t want to get rid of either of > them. When they were getting along they were just as cute as could be > together, occasionally preening each other and chirping quietly to each > other. They’d even sit on the swing together. I can’t figure out why they > have suddenly taken to fighting like this. Any ideas? > Jill > –Beloved dog Sampson: April, 1982 – November, 1999 > —and 2 cute parakeets, Rachael & Taz (still with us)
– Lou Boyd Fairborn Observatory —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–== Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–
Response:
> Parakeets have been know to kill each other. Separate them > immediately! You may be able to put them back together later, maybe > not. Is "not wanting to maintain two cages" worth having one of them > dead or injured? I solve the "too many cages" and fighting problem by > letting my birds fly free within part of the house but they’re not > parakeets. > — > Lou Boyd
Thanks, Lou. I already *did* separate them. I can’t let them fly free because this is an apartment and not large enough for me to give the birds their "own room". Any thoughts as to why, after a year, they are suddenly at odds with each other? Jill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi folks, I’m new to the group. I have two parakeets, both female. Rachael > is about 5 years old and Taz (short for Tazmanian Devil!) is just over a > year old now. My SO bought Taz after Rachael’s other pal, Lorien, died last > year. They have the usual occasional budgie squabbles, but for the most > part they have always gotten along just fine. > Last week, I started noticing bent and frayed tail feathers (on both of > them). Then last Thursday evening I noticed Taz was favoring her left foot, > keeping the right one slightly off the perch most of the time. (Initially > it appeared she was just tucking it up, so I’m not sure when the injury > occurred.) I watched to make sure it wasn’t serious enough to hamper her > getting around or require a trip to the vet. (It seems to be better now.) > I didn’t notice them behaving any differently in the evenings, but I’m at > work all day during the week (I’m on vacation this week). > Then came the weekend. It quickly became apparent those two have taken to > fighting like cats and dogs! Saturday morning I heard squawking and went > into the living room to find Rachael had Taz hanging upside down from the > perch, pecking at her. Taz isn’t an innocent in this, either. After a > number of incidents, which appear to take place primarily in the mornings > (go figure) I thought it would be best to separate them. So I moved Taz to > another cage I have. > I don’t want to maintain two cages, and I don’t want to get rid of either of > them. When they were getting along they were just as cute as could be > together, occasionally preening each other and chirping quietly to each > other. They’d even sit on the swing together. I can’t figure out why they > have suddenly taken to fighting like this. Any ideas? > Jill > –Beloved dog Sampson: April, 1982 – November, 1999 > —and 2 cute parakeets, Rachael & Taz (still with us) > — > Lou Boyd > Fairborn Observatory > —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– > http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! > —–== Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–
Response:
Hi folks, I’m new to the group. I have two parakeets, both female. Rachael is about 5 years old and Taz (short for Tazmanian Devil!) is just over a year old now. My SO bought Taz after Rachael’s other pal, Lorien, died last year. They have the usual occasional budgie squabbles, but for the most part they have always gotten along just fine. Last week, I started noticing bent and frayed tail feathers (on both of them). Then last Thursday evening I noticed Taz was favoring her left foot, keeping the right one slightly off the perch most of the time. (Initially it appeared she was just tucking it up, so I’m not sure when the injury occurred.) I watched to make sure it wasn’t serious enough to hamper her getting around or require a trip to the vet. (It seems to be better now.) I didn’t notice them behaving any differently in the evenings, but I’m at work all day during the week (I’m on vacation this week). Then came the weekend. It quickly became apparent those two have taken to fighting like cats and dogs! Saturday morning I heard squawking and went into the living room to find Rachael had Taz hanging upside down from the perch, pecking at her. Taz isn’t an innocent in this, either. After a number of incidents, which appear to take place primarily in the mornings (go figure) I thought it would be best to separate them. So I moved Taz to another cage I have. I don’t want to maintain two cages, and I don’t want to get rid of either of them. When they were getting along they were just as cute as could be together, occasionally preening each other and chirping quietly to each other. They’d even sit on the swing together. I can’t figure out why they have suddenly taken to fighting like this. Any ideas? Jill –Beloved dog Sampson: April, 1982 – November, 1999 —and 2 cute parakeets, Rachael & Taz (still with us)
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