Talk Budgies Forums banner
Cancel

Sideways over behavior and need advice!

3192 Views 24 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  RavensGryf, 
M
hi all.. has been a while since i've been here but I am in a total dither... I have 4 untamed budgies that have coexisted niceley for a couple of years in a large aviary. One.. Kiwi, is older.. he is about 6 years old.. the other three we got at the same time as babies and they are about 2.5 years. We.. as they aged we realized we had one girl.. to three boys. ... Well, we have noticed that the two young boys (Apple and Ollie) are always trying to court the female.. Mozie. Kiwi seems to sort of stay to himself like the grandpa of the three.

about a month ago I found Apple Pinning Ollie to the ground.. swatted at the cage and it stopped. .. I noticed it again a couple of weeks later.. it concerned me so I kept an eye on him and nothing happened again so I figured they resolved whatever. .. Well two days ago I go to pull their cover by to find Kiwi sitting there with blood on his face (he also happens to be moulting).. He lifted his wing and to my HORROR was COVERED IN BLOOD. we panicked, got him out and examined him, thinking he had popped a blood feather, cleaned him up but after we cleaned the blood off we could not determine where a blood feather was!?.. so we separated him, kept him warm all day.. next day moved that cage next to the big aviary and they all kept coming to look at him and he acted like he was doing much better and wanting back in so we put him in.. he looked fine yesterday morning..but suddenly he is doing this crazy head bobbing and spitting a seed up... well my old love bird used to do this for me all the time, but I've NEVER seen KIWI do it. ???? So I thought, well maybe he was feeling better and telling me thank you or something.. but as the day went on I noticed he is sitting fluffed up alot.. and eating alot. So anyway, we decided to keep an eye on him, .. wake up to some noise go in and look and that Dang Apple had Kiwi PINNED TO THE FLOOR.. so now I'm thinking that little nasty guy injured kiwi the other day.. so we broke it up and observed for a half hour to notice Apple just seemed to be driving poor Mozi nuts... so we just caught him and moved him to the other cage... as you can imagine, with four untamed budgies, everyone got a little wild in there while we got apple out and poor kiwi looks so tired. .. we live in a remote area.. there is no avian vet for miles and miles.. and now here it is Thanksgiving.. We are flying out in the morning for two days... I've left them for two days often with plenty of food and just had a neighbor peek in on them to make sure they had clean water. .. but I just am beside myself.. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO????.. I can't NOT go to Thanksgiving because of this.. there is no vet to send them to. And what do I do with apple??? He is in the other cage now next to the big aviary.. looks like he is giving me the stink eye. .. I just looked in on Kiwi and while he is still looking a bit fluffed and disheveled he doesn't look as puffed up as he did last night.. (perhaps because Apple is gone from the cage??).. but Is hard to tell what is going on with him now.. there has been no more bleeding since we cleaned him up..and he IS molting, and has now been in another fight albeit quite brief.. he's flying around a bit and eating.. but I suppose it would be normal under all circumstances to look disheveled???? .. So please.. what do I do.?? I have to be gone 48 hours.. starting tomorrow around 10 am. .. I'm assuming it is a must that Apple stays in another cage. Do I keep him Next to the big cage? or move him all together. Do I ever put him back? I mean now that I have seen him pin birds down three different times..(and now wondering just how ofter that little bully has been doing that!?) and kind of feel like all that blood wasn't a blood feather but probably something done by him.. does he just live alone from now on?.. I'm so upset!!!! and feel quite helpless as to what to do in light of HAVING to leave them!
See less See more
Save
Like
Status
Not open for further replies.
1 - 20 of 25 Posts
Goldenwing
Mary,

I can understand why you are upset. You definitely have to keep the birds separated from now on. An uneven number of males and females often does not work in a flock. I don't see why the cages can't be next to each other though. Be sure the bird that is moulting gets plenty of good nutrients. I am not an expert on that part, but you can look under the budgie health category and there are stickies that address moulting.

As for leaving for Thanksgiving, ultimately that choice is up to you. Now that the birds are separated, if Kiwi's issue is just from moulting and being attacked, I would think the birds will likely be ok. However, if Kiwi is also sick, he could get sicker and even get the other birds sick. Can you get to a regular vet today? Members who don't have an avian vet anywhere near often go to a regular vet and then have them call and consult with an avian vet.

That is my best advice in the moment. I know others can probably give you more information.

Goldenwing
See less See more
Save
Like
M
Thanks for the Response golden wing. I'm just so unbelievably upset over this. Staying home isn't really an option at all, I have my whole family coming from two states to MY rental that I'm hosting for this... Kiwi is just pitiful looking, all disheveled and fluffed, and napping a lot, but he has been through the ringer apparently.. I just can't believe what a jerk Apple has turned out to be! I really do not think he was sick to begin with, if he is sick now it is from being stressed out.. not something that would spread??.. I think he got the crap beat out of him the other night... then got put back in with us not realizing we were putting him back in with a total bully!!!! .. then got beat up a second time. .. He is eating and drinking, but napping a lot, but he is sitting up high in the aviary and he makes sweet little chatter noises at me when I talk to him...

So I guess I'm trying to understand, what do you think would be less stressful for him... to leave him in his big aviary with ollie and Mozie, where he is familiar with his surroundings? they all seem to be getting along fine... in fact all three are bunched together quiet right now I've put on some soothing music in here and they all seem to like it!.... or put him in a third cage all alone?.. (the thought of catching him again is very stressful to me, since they are not tame they all just go crazy when they see us coming in to get them... that seems like that would be stressful) OR put him in a small cage, cover him and drive him to a friends that can keep watch, not that she could really do much for him..(but that seems stressful too again, catching him and moving him when he is stressed out to a place he doesn't know alone) I called the vet here, they were truly useless, I knew more than they did.
See less See more
Save
Like
JRS
Hi

I think that as you have to be away from your bird’s, your best option, at least for the time away, would be:
Apple in a cage alone
Kiwi in a cage alone
Ollie & Mozie in together

I personally wouldn’t leave Kiwi in with Ollie & Mozie whilst you’re away. You said that both Apple & Ollie were competing for Mozie’s attention, if Kiwi’s attack was the result of him also making advances with Mozie, then Ollie & Kiwi could become aggressive to each other.
You’re still trying to piece together the sequence of events, even though Kiwi ended up worst off, he might have ‘started it’ so to speak.

You can keep the cages in the same room, so they can still have sight and sound of each other, but safely split apart. When you return, you can reassess the situation.

Best of luck

*Actually, rethinking things, maybe it would be better to leave Ollie and Kiwi together and have Mozie in a separate cage - less extra trauma for Kiwi and it IS Mozie who is (inadvertently) the source of all the competitive drama.
See less See more
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
M
Thank you!

Thank you JRS! .. I did just that a few minutes ago. fortunately we had 3 cages. Apple has a big one to himself next to the big aviary and he is a little perturbed I think..but I went and bought him new toys.. Kiwi, Is snuggled in the smaller one but we have the heating pad under and heating blanket over 3/4 of it right now .. and even though he is a bit fluffed, he is not AS fluffed, he is chattering occasionally and eating like a PIG!.. bless him. but he seems calm and happy.... the two lovers Ollie and Mozie are making out and preening non stop. I think SHE seems MUCH happier and while there is some chatter going on my goodness it is so much quieter in here.. that cage has always been SO NOISY, but I think it now it was because Apple was in there causing ruckus and we just didn't realize what was going on. ..

I feel much more at ease about leaving, we will see how KIWI is in the morning but EVERYONE including Mom and Dad (myself and husband) are much more relaxed. .My Teenage kids will come home on Thursday so they can check in on them and turn on soft music etc so they don't feel alone.... Just not sure what we are going to do when I get back, we had this incredibly beautiful aviary made out of a large amoire for them.. . all these cages everywhere kinda ruining it LOL. but hey..I guess I'll just need more BEAutiful ones. ... Do I ever put them back together or is this how it will be forever?... I think Kiwi may need to be on his own but in their company,.. but poor Apple.. he just wants a girlfriend.. :(
See less See more
Save
Like
M
oh.. JRS.. I didn't read the "Second thought" till after I wrote all that.. I went to the woman I bought these birds from years ago. .. We thought about that too..but Geoff said he saw Ollie Peck Kiwi's head a couple of times.. nothing crazy but enough to decide that Kiwi was better off just trying to recover. .. and who wants to break up a good love story ;) ... seeing how relaxed mozie is with Ollie Preening her all over is really quite sweet.. I always had a suspicion she preferred him to Apple.. just apple was so aggressive it in his hoochy coochy dance on the rope .. I think he was stressing her out too! I kinda feel sorry for him, but after what he's done he deserves a time out (and I did catch him pinning Ollie down Twice before so I really doubt Kiwi started this though possible. )
See less See more
Save
Like
L
The general rule is that bickering is to be expected, but once a fight progresses to one bird pinning other down they must be separated permanently. So, no, it would not be safe to ever put the birds all back together.

It is quite possible that the cause of Apple's aggression was the presence of Mozie and that he and Kiwi would be fine without her in the mix, but I wouldn't risk it. The potential for disaster is too high.

I hope you can find other cages you love. ;)
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Goldenwing
Mary,

So glad that your birds are doing better. Julia and Lbeckman have given you great advice! You really do need to keep the birds separated but there are a variety of ways that people arrange the separate cages. Sounds like the birds are much more ready to be left alone for a couple days. Good luck!

Goldenwing
Save
Like
JRS
Great to hear that you've sorted a safe arrangement for the holiday period.
When back, it might be useful to have a read through...
http://www.talkbudgies.com/articles-general-budgie-info/392442-your-harmonious-flock.html

Also, as Ollie & Mozie seem to be getting along so well, I strongly recommend you reading...
http://www.talkbudgies.com/budgie-breeding/90584-when-we-dont-want-eggs.html

Enjoy your break :)
Save
Like
FaeryBee
Once a budgie has shown violent aggression toward another bird, the aggressive budgie should be separated into its own cage on a permanent basis.

I agree that leaving Ollie and Moxie together while ensuring you do everything necessary to prevent breeding is probably your best solution.

Apple is going to need to be kept in an individual cage permanently.

I would not recommend putting Kiwi back in in Ollie and Moxie in the future.
An uneven ratio of males/female budgies often causes problems.

Best wishes
Save
Like
M
Thank you everyone.. Kiwi made it through the night, we had his cage nice and cozy for him, he's chirped and preened some.. he ate and ate and ate last night. Poor little guy.. he's still a bit puffed up this morning but nothing like he was yesterday, so hopefully he is on the mend..

I hate leaving him, and not being able to keep the extra heat sources going but we are leaving the heat on as usual.. the lady at the bird shop told me to just leave him 3/4 covered with a blanket so he'd feel protected and just the natural rythm of daylight would be enough for him for a couple of days to rest. .. hope so... he's used to a timed light coming on and off in the big aviary.

About Apple.. Poor guy, boy is he a feisty little thing. all he wants is a girlfriend LOL.. so my question about him is.. Obviously putting him in that cage with the other two is OUT..but does he just live alone in a cage forever at this point or should we consider finding him his own mate? I mean heck, it isn't like we don't have cage space. he's in a huge cage all by himself now sulking while staring at Mozie and Ollie live it up in their palace !
:Love birds:
See less See more
Save
Like
Goldenwing
I think you could find Apple a mate. You would need to quarantine a new bird for a time and then introduce her slowly to Apple, but it sounds like it could be a good idea.

Goldenwing
Save
Like
FaeryBee
Goldenwing said:
I think you could find Apple a mate. You would need to quarantine a new bird for a time and then introduce her slowly to Apple, but it sounds like it could be a good idea.

Goldenwing
Click to expand...
You must be VERY careful if you decide to try to get a female friend for Apple.
He has already shown vicious aggressive tendencies and there is no guarantee that won't happen again - even with a female bird.

So, should you decide to get another budgie, you are going to need to quarantine for the proper amount of time and then introduce the new bird to Apple very slowly in a controlled and supervised neutral territory environment several times before you ever try putting them in the same cage together.

Even then, you need to be prepared that you may end up having to house the new budgie separately on a permanent basis as well should Apple decide to become overly aggressive with that bird.

I'd think long and hard before deciding to add yet another budgie into the mix.
Save
Like
M
UPDATE.. I made it through without having a panic attack.. Left Kiwi with tons of food and some extra moulting food and water with ACV.. put him on a table where I knew the sunlight would warm him up since I couldn't leave extra heating sources plugged in and parted ways with my fluffed up battered buddy :( .. came home to a chirpy, no longer fluffed budgie that came hopping over to me clinging to the cage bobbing his head like he was so happy to see me.. I couldn't BELIEVE how well he was.. I do believe he is going to be JUST FINE....Ollie and Mozie are happy, apple.. he seems fine just kinda lost over there in that giant cage by himself.. Now to just figure out a cage configuration for my den that we can all live with.. is a bit crowded in here!... Thanks for all your advice.
Save
Like
FaeryBee
I'm glad to hear Kiwi came through the ordeal and that you survived without a panic attack. :hug:

Please be sure to let us know how things progress.

Best wishes!
Save
Like
M
Update on my peeps.. Mozie and Ollie are happy as can be in the giant aviary alone. :Love birds:


Kiwi, has made an amazing comeback.. He seems SO happy, playing all the time and talking.. I have a new cage on the way that will be more than ample for him.. 18x18x30.. brand new and safe, ditched the fantasy of finding a beautiful one instead.

Apple.. well, he seems totally neurotic and ticked off.. sometimes he seems content...but spends the majority of the time clinging to the side of the cage facing the big aviary yelling at it and neurotically flying back and forth over and over... Is he miserable being in the cage alone? ..

I need someone to explain to me so that I feel good about this, these birds are all wild birds, .. they love chattering to me, I do believe they each know their names. .. but they have all been in one aviary for nearly 3 years. now the four are in the same room but 3 cages. I do think Kiwi, the older one that was attacked is breathing a sigh of relief! as mentioned up there, now that he has recovered from his near death experience he seems the happiest I've frankly ever seen him.. chattering at himself in the mirror, ringing bells, responding to me and chattering with the the others. ..But Apple.. will he be ok alone? Is being in the same room with other birds enough socialization for him or should we try to find him a mate. My husband keeps saying he's fine..but I get a totally different vibe from Apple than I do from kiwi.
See less See more
Save
Like
FaeryBee
Since Apple has shown such aggressive and violent tendencies, it is extremely risky to put any other budgie in with him.

I would suggest you consider moving his cage into a different room and spend one-on-one time with him there.
He may adjust better if he isn't able to see the other birds
Save
Like
FaeryBee
Since Apple has shown such aggressive and violent tendencies, it is extremely risky to allow him to interact with any of the other budgies.
You've already indicated that in addition to attacking Kiwi, Apple pined Ollie down in the past and Mozie seemed somewhat stressed by his overly aggressive courtship efforts.

I would suggest you consider moving Apple's cage into a different room and spend one-on-one time with him there.
He may adjust better if he isn't able to see the other birds.

To reiterate what I said in my previous post on this thread:

You must be VERY careful if you decide to try to get a female friend for Apple.
He has already shown vicious aggressive tendencies with more than one budgie and there is no guarantee that won't happen again - even with a female bird.

So, should you decide to get another budgie, you are going to need to quarantine for the proper amount of time and then introduce the new bird to Apple very slowly in a controlled and supervised neutral territory environment several times before you ever try putting them in the same cage together.

Even then, you need to be prepared that you may end up having to house the new budgie separately on a permanent basis as well should Apple decide to become overly aggressive with that bird.

I'd think long and hard before deciding to add yet another budgie into the mix.
See less See more
Save
Like
Therm
I wouldn't even consider a new bird friend for an aggressive bird.

You have to allow time to adjust to new changes and if after a sufficient amount of time, you can try changing things to see if they work.
Getting another bird will most likely make all your problems worse, not better.

Just recently I had one of my birds acting a little dominant over another when she has never shown any behaviour like it before. But instantly, she was caged away from the bird she was upsetting to prevent anything more from happening.

When it comes to birds, the overall happiness of all the birds has to be considered, including any birds you are thinking of adding. Simply put- I don't think it's worth the risk.
Save
Like
StarlingWings
I definitely agree with the above. If you had a person who had injured others, the last thing you would do is put another person in with them, especially in an enclosed space. The same thing goes for animals. In this case, I think you need to focus on getting to know Apple as a single bird since I wouldn't ever consider putting him with another budgie.

It's not worth the potential mishaps and stress on you and on the rest of the flock.
Save
Like
1 - 20 of 25 Posts
Status
Not open for further replies.
Talk Budgies Forums
A forum community dedicated to budgie owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about breeding, health, behavior, molting, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Your Budgie's Health Budgie Pictures General Budgie Talk Other Birds Budgie Videos
Top