Question? If and when I get another lovie....

[trish1172]

I think this fits here since my question(s) are related to behavior.

First of all, should I wait to add another lovie until after I get Tango more tamed? The owner of the pet store where I got him told me that I will never get Tango tamed if I add another bird. Is this true?

Second, again IF I get another bird, is it better to keep them in separate cages at the beginning? I don't want them to hurt each other. If so, can they eventually be put in the same cage?

I can't help but consider the idea since I love Tango so much!

p.s. - Today, he suddenly flew down from his cage and landed on my back while I was sitting working on my laptop. After a few minutes he hopped down to the sofa. I don't know whether to take it as a sign that he really wants to be by me or if this was an accident?:confused:

[linda040899]

:) :) :) Tango's landing on your person was no accident. He went where he wanted to go, which means you are winning his trust and well on your way to becoming a full fledged lovie slave. :omg: Now that he's done it once, you will find it happening moew frequently.

As for a second lovebird, I can see that happening in the future but I would give yourself time to develop your relationship with Tango first. You can definitely have 2 tame lovebirds and keep them that way through attention, attention and more attention. They will eventually like each other and they will include you in the flock as long as you pay attention to them and interact with them. Initially, you will need to quarantine any new bird for a minimum of 30 days to make sure it's healthy. That's to protect Tango. Even a vet check up should not circumvent quarantine. After that, put their cages side by side so they can get to know each other. If they get along well, then you can consider housing them together.

Another thing to consider before you get another lovebird is which gender. If Tango is a male, you can get a male or a female. However, if Tango is a female, then your choice becomes male, as 2 hens can sometimes get along but most don't.

[trish1172]

Ok. Good to know. I ordered one of those blood tests from Avian biotech and received it the other day. I just need to wait until he gets his nails clipped again to get a sample. I want to make sure I know what sex he (or she) is.

Thanks again for being so helpful!

[bird-brain]

I told you they were addictive! ;)

As Linda mentioned, 30 days quarantine is a safe thing to do, I also use that 30 days as my time to work with the new baby away from his future cage mate. Cabo and Kenya were acquired a year apart. Tiger Lilly, Zephyr and Skye were solo birds during quarantine as well. My Tango and his brother Zulu came to me together as did Sprite and Snick and two of my blue crowns, Drake and Rio. There was A LOT of difference in the taming process. Also, Cabo, Skye and Zephyr are just as happy to hang out with me as with another bird. While my others are tame, they will I think always prefer another bird to myself and I honestly believe that it is because they were alone with me for those 30 to 45 days. Kenya is the one exception but she was in a very bad home and just has trust issues.

[trish1172]

I found a breeder here in Wisconsin, about an hour away from me, that raises handfed lovies, cockatiels, etc. He's been doing it for a very long time. When it comes time to get another one, I thought it might be better to get a lovie that I know was handfed, instead of one from a pet store. I guess I am hoping that it might be easier to tame.

[bird-brain]

Most of the time that's the case. Hand fed doesnt always mean that the babies are socialized but if it's a reputable breeder then most likely the baby WILL be well socialized and your job should be much easier :)

Cabo was given to the pet store prior to being weaned so he was technically "hand fed/raised" Unfortunately all they did was squirt formula into his crop and move on to the next bird. :(

[Lawrence]

When and if you get the second one, try to get one that is about the same age too, an older bird (8 months +) will not tolerate a just weaned lovie around