18 Day Old Monster Chick

[WallyBirdie]

Miraculous little Haybale, now 18 days old, was out of the brooder with supervision. The house is warm and I always make sure [he] can get back in and to the heat if needed.
He's already so big... Monster-sized!
He hasn't been introduced to the flock yet but he has seen my budgies and conure. They 'visit' him sometimes. They just fly over and check him out, then fly off to play or see what treats I am getting out.

Today, my little blue budgie landed on the sofa near me while I was holding Haybale. And, to my surprise, Haybale pulled his little wings up and ducked his head, then jumped and attempted to attack my budgie. He tried TWICE, so it wasn't a one-off.

My budgie flew off and landed on her cage, and no harm was done to anyone. But this makes me wonder if my little Haybale will be okay around the other chickens in the future. Or if he will end up being a bully.

I am probably jumping the gun and worrying over nothing, but it was surprising.

-
EDIT/UPDATE.
Maybe Haybale and my budgie got off on the wrong foot? Haybale loves my conure, oddly enough. My conure keeps trying to feed and groom my little chick, and my chick likes the attention.

 

[nchls school]

Flight or fight response to possible danger. I wouldn't worry about the behavior-yet.

 

[WallyBirdie]

Flight or fight response to possible danger. I wouldn't worry about the behavior-yet.

Thanks. I just wasn't sure what to think of the situation. He just changed his body language so fast and then lunged.

 

[3KillerBs]

What was the budgie's body language like?

My experience is that all budgies believe in their hearts that they are eagles and I wonder if the budgie had come across to Haybale as trying to defend his territory -- you -- from the interloper -- Haybale.

 

[WallyBirdie]

What was the budgie's body language like?

My experience is that all budgies believe in their hearts that they are eagles and I wonder if the budgie had come across to Haybale as trying to defend his territory -- you -- from the interloper -- Haybale.

My budgie is a bold girl and thinks she's boss. She has always had that attitude. She didn't seem standoffish, but I had been holding Haybale at the time and she did land near, and then proceeded to hop closer. (She likes to tug at my hair, so I assumed she was coming to get on my head or shoulder to do that.) She'd merely landed on the arm rest of the sofa when Haybale up and decided NOPE!
He might just not like her. Or maybe she came across as threatening. Haybale likes my conure a lot (though I know to limit their interaction and supervise 110%. I've heard too many horror stories. Between chickens being too dusty to have around parrots and parrots having dangerous beaks... Too many potential problems.)

 

[3KillerBs]

My budgie is a bold girl and thinks she's boss. She has always had that attitude.

If I ever have cagebirds again I will have budgies. They've got 6-foot personalities in only 6" of bird.

 

[WallyBirdie]

If I ever have cagebirds again I will have budgies. They've got 6-foot personalities in only 6" of bird.

Very good description! I hope you do have budgies again one day. They are a wonderful source of amusement and their fun is infectious.

 

[3KillerBs]

Very good description! I hope you do have budgies again one day. They are a wonderful source of amusement and their fun is infectious.

I liked my budgies and my cockatiels but I can't exist without cats and had too much difficulty reconciling the two pet situations. Therefore I will keep birds outside -- chickens -- and cats inside.