Have you tried target training and station training with them in their cages at all?
Monkey see, monkey do... so it's possible that they could learn from each other simply by watching the other learning.
Targeting yes, though Teri getting in the way is always a problem. I haven't tried station training yet, but now that I think of it I can see how it might be helpful! The only thing is I'm unsure of exactly how to do it with 2 birds.
They do pick up things off each other, but that also makes them prone to getting into each others' business. If I call one of them both will come, that sort of thing. Not sure how to work around it except hope they get what their names mean eventually. I don't treat them both if I only asked one bird, obviously. They're basically joined at the hip which is very cute but it has its issues :/
I often train two birds at a time because mine are in pairs or are a flock of babies (then who knows how many their are). It is definitely a challenge to concentrate on more than one at a time. We just take turns or sometime both birds respond to the same prompt and do the behavior. Recall can be done with 2 at a time. Practicing a behavior would be easier to do with multiple birds at a time but I could see how trying to capture a new behavior would be more difficult. Also fine tuning things could be difficult if timing is critical.
I don't see the harm in separating them for training.
Some things I can train together, but for the most part Kimi requires a lot more patience and care than Teri. Most of the time he needs a separate training session just so I can tire him out a bit.
As for feeding, I always by a large cage with a divider...
A large cage with a divider honestly sounds pretty good! Do you think replacing their current cage with something like that would work instead of separating them? What kind would you recommend for Quakers?
In reality, I have a routine with some of the birds, once they learn to return to their cages when asked (bribed) I will let them both out and then give the food and water then use the treat to lure them back. This works because of the routine. Any other time of day they wouldn't be so easy to get back in their cage without a longer period of out of cage time. Another pair of birds are trained to (mostly) sit on their door while I service the cage then they go back in for a big treat after.
Finally, you may also consider a cage with outside access feeder doors.
I'll have to try some of those things. Right now getting them back in is a pain. Bribes don't work on Teri.
The cage already has outside feeder doors? unless I'm missing something.
If yo find you cannot separate successfully, might I suggest with having way too much food for Teri to chase Kimi off food, or have 2-3 different food stations so Teri cannot guard all of them at the same time.
I already leave them multiple bowls but Kimi HAS to eat out of the same bowl as Teri for some reason. She won't always take it even when I give her a special bowl while Teri's outside. I'm not sure if leaving both of them too much food would be a good idea.
