Question on keeping 2 parakeets

[TerriLaChicks]

We have a green parakeet who flew into our carport 2 years ago during a storm. He settled in nicely and plays & talks to his mirrors & toys. We are considering getting him a companion. Would a male or female be best or should we leave him alone? We do not wish to raise young keets.
Any pros or cons would be appreciated.

 

[seminolewind]

You could probably do 2 males, 2 females, or one of each. Two males can get along if there's no female, but I might think about the other two choices first.

 

[Whiskey Bay]

Quote:
I started out with two males,and have now added two females to the pen.It took them a while to adjust.Still adjusting,but not fighting anymore.The problems I have seen with birds who have been by them selves for a long time is,they tend to prefer it that way.Also birds who have mirrors in their cages and actually like 'talking' to themselves and such,is hard to break from the mirrors.If you take them away,they can 'mourn' because their friend is gone.If you add another bird,watch them.If it seems the older bird is aggressive or anything,try taking his mirrirs from him.This may calm him down as he may be "protecting" his mirrored mate.I have had issues like this a few times and see it in the clinic all the time.

 

[sgtmom52]

If you handle him a lot and give him plenty of attention, he is probably fine alone. If you introduce another, they may bond and exclude you from their group.

Parakeets usually only breed if supplied with a proper nesting box. I have a pair that are about 15 years old and have never even produced an egg. They live in a large flight cage (3'x3'x3') and have everything they need except a nest box.

 

[minichic]

I have had as many as 5 males together without any issues. Currently have two boys together and they are best buddies. They have lots of extra space and TONS of toys.

 

[Akane]

Male. You can generally keep as many males as you want together and you always want more males than females if you have several budgies. The females will often pick on each other and the males as well as fight over them if you have multiple of both genders. Mine are ruthless little brats and I think the males are much happier without a female companion. Kiei is the worst and insists Ginrei sit a specific distance from her at all times. She frequently just shoves him off the perch for being in her way. He was so much happier when they moved to the big aviary where thare are 3 males and 2 females plus plenty of space to get away from them.

 

[axion_lotus]

If he seems perfectly content by himself, I'd just leave him by himself. Giving him a friend when he doesn't want one might only cause trouble.

Only give him a new guy friend if he seems lonely.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[markbirds]

If I were you I would keep him by himself. First off if he thinks of you and the family as his family. If he is content with his toys and things, he is probaly way more happy then you think.

 

[BorderKelpie]

If you truely want to add another, set up a whole new cage. I have parrots of various species that talk and chatter to each other from their cages and seem to enjoy each other's company, but can not, will not, won't tolerate each other in 'their' territories.
I usually suggest to people not to get your pets pets of their own. If YOU want another, that's perfectly acceptable, your bird's opinion of having a companion/competitor may be a whole 'nuther matter.
Sounds like your liitle guy is perfectly content already. Good job.

 

[wolftracks]

Either sex is OK and they really need a nesting box to even be interested in breeding, so you won't have a problem.

It you do see that they aren't getting along you can try a new cage. Neither one will have a claim to it and if you put them in together, they'll probably avoid eachother until they get used to it.

I raised 100's ummm maybe more over the years and never had any kill eachother or injure eachother enough to worry. I have had young parents kill babies, but you aren't going to be dealing with that anyway. They do like companionship, which is why mirrors are used.