How should I introduce the baby?

[akida]

I recently brought my one month old lovebird home from the pet store, and I handfeed him daily. I really want to introduce Kiza to my other two lovebirds, but everytime I try to have them together, my other lovebird Sukari decides to nip at him. Should I wait until hes a little older before letting them be out of their cages together? Although he's young, hes overprotective of me and returns a few little baby nips back at Sukari.

The irony of it all is that my biting lovebird, Akida is not even phased by Kiza's presence. Sukari is more gentle, and ... is the one I have the problem with. Is it because Sukari is about 4-5 months now, and starting to go through a molt ( or at least I think its a molt ... xD )? Shes been getting more nippy lately.

[bellarains]

If your other two lovebirds are bonded, it may be very hard to introduce the baby. I would however try introducing them in neutral territory, out of sight of their cages. Try taking them to another room(birdie safe), and try then.

In any event, you want to introduce them slowly, but let them see each other on a daily basis. They may, or they may not ever accept each other, but let them go at their pace, and never leave them unsupervised. These little ones can be quiet nasty, and are capable of killing each other.

Good luck, and in the event they don't accept each other, you can always get the little one a friend of his/her own;)

[linda040899]

There's an old saying that reads something like two's company, three is a crowd. That's usually true with lovebirds. If you have a bonded pair, it's highly unlikely that they will accept a third member. It's possible but not likely.

Kiza's age is the other part of the problem. Occasionally, an adult lovebird will take up with a youngster and a male is more likely to do so than a female. In your position, you can try introducing them as Lori explained, but I would wait until Kiza is older (9-10 months).