Eating enough?

[travis]

Hi there,

I've noticed that since my two birds have moved in, one is definitely being the dominate one. Archimedes will lunge at Amadeus if he is using his toys, or is eating in his same food bowl. I wasn't really worried until I noticed he does it all the time, even when he's not eating. I've watched him stop playing with a toy to chase Amadeus out of a food bowl, and have watched him completely stop eating from one bowl to chase Amadeus out of the other. Same goes with toys, but the food is obviously a larger concern. How can I be sure Amadeus is healthy in his environment? I see him chewing on the cuttle bone frequently; could this mean he's not eating enough? I try taking Archimedes out of the cage so Amadeus can do his thing, but Amadeus watches Archimedes and chirps for him. They get along great otherwise, sleeping together and preening each other...but I'm worried for the health factors. Amadeus is still active and playful, so I assume he's getting enough, but with lard-o >: in the cage, I don't want him to have to stress over food.

[linda040899]

It's fairly easy to tell if Amadeus is getting enough to eat. Feel his keel bone and the flesh on either side. You will be able to feel the keel bone down the center of his body but it should not feel sharp. There should be flesh on either side of that bone, as well. If Amadeus is on the thin side, my suggestion would be side by side cages for at least a while.

[Janie]

Very good advice from Linda!

I have two caged together and one is definitely the Alpha bird and chases his brother off toys and food dishes but I do have scales and Big Boi (the one who gets chased) usually weighs 3 or 4 grams more than Shy, the Alpha bird. He manages to get more than his fair share. They do not fight at all, just that chasing but I would separate them if that should start.

[sdgilley]

Hi,
When I first put my two males together, one bullied the other a little. I placed food and water dishes on opposite sides of the cage. That always allowed the more timid one to get to food & water. Now they have just one food bowl and one water bowl. They don't bicker too much anymore. (maybe just for attention from me!)

[Cathy]

I was going to mention what Suzanne did. Try separate food dishes. Amadeus may be less territorial if there arer 2.

[Janie]

It's my understanding that there are already two food bowls in the cage, right? I would also recommend that if you haven't done it. I have 2 to 4 in my cage on a daily basis so that if and when Shy gets in a selfish mood, Big Boi can still find another bowl.....till Shy jumps over and chases him off! :D Really not a huge issue for me....I've seen Big Boi give Shy "what for" several time, too! :D

[travis]

I do have two 'bowls' in the cage right now, and had up to three, usually on opposite ends, and at different elevations. The worry for me is that regardless of what bowl it is or where Archimedes is, he will chase Amadeus out :( I felt Amadeus's keel bone, and it was sharper than Archimedes, so I put Archimedes in a little cage (I prefer condo) for the day while I was out, so Amadeus had run of the big cage for at least 6 hours or so. Would this be okay to do for a couple weeks while I'm at work to give Amadeus a little lean way to get some meat on him? I'll try adding a few more bowl too, before my cage gets overrun. Funny, as I was typing this, Archimedes chased Amadeus away from getting a drink :( Little guy can't even get his water in there, and just now chased him off a toy. I feel so bad...I know birds are birds, but I don't want one to be on the constant defensive.

[Janie]

Travis, I hear ya! Nothing worse than watching one get bullied! :( I think separating them is a good idea, at least for now. Since Shy has to have everything first, I take Shy out of the bird room for some momma time when I give Big Boi and Oliver their fresh vegetables in the late afternoon. They get all they want and then I take Shy back into the room and he gets the left-overs....which is plenty, btw! :D Both Shy and Big Boi will share with Oliver (usually) but Shy hates to share with his clutch mate, Big Boi. Real sibling rivalry, I'm sure! :rolleyes: