1 vs. 2 Quaks

[Merlin]

Hi guys...... My MBS syndrome is kicking in.

We made a lot of mistakes with my late 12-year-old Quaker Yosh. We learned even more. He was an amazing, forgiving, tolerate darling and I miss his green turdness like crazy.

Now, we have a family and are looking to bring home another Quaker - maybe 2. Yoshi was a behavioral/hormonal plucker, bless his frilly white bloomers, and I always wondered whether that stress (his), might have been avoided from the start had he had a same-gender friend in the house. He had a bestie, Yoda the male sun conure, but (another hard lesson in the early days), we lost him after only 12 months to cotton impaction. Yoshi really wasn't the same after Yoda's loss. I know Quakers mate for life, so I believe he truly suffered.

So I suppose my questions are:

- Would two Quakers be better suited than one (we aren't bothered by gender as long as they are not male and female)?
- Would clutch mates be alright?

And for context, they would be our family birds, thus we would be sharing them around and socialising them as much as possible - I feel we nailed all this with our one bird, so I'm not so concerned.

Thank you

 

[Pixiebeak]

im sorry Yoshi is gone, big hugs.

One if mine came to me plucking neck and mutilating feet. Still plucks her neck. My youngest came to me over preening, and plucking her shoulders. She was still young and this wasn't well established and that plus screaming were thankfully resolved. Tho when neverous ir stresses the way she attacks her feathers make me think it is something she could turn to again.

Quakers don't seem to be a 100% on the life mate bond. From some reading on a social structure study of Quakers both wild and captive From observations of mine I'd say not. Deep pair bonds yes, deep attachments yes. But switching breeding partners i think ( not all the way sure) highly likely

Back on your topic. Yes I think having another Quaker , or another social parrot around is good. They are a highly social species. But 2 might increase the noise level.

I don't have experience with 2 males. I did at one point have a male quaker and 2 female Quakers. He bonded with my gcc tho. While still trying to woo one of the female Quakers. And despite mate behavior with gcc including sex . Would still be very hormonal vocal in spring . I do not have him anymore, and will forever morn him.

I now have 3 girls and 2 seeming pair bonds. With Pikachu being the swinger . These bonds include sex as well. They also have increased spring vocals. Tho not as loud and frequent as my male was . Individual thing I don't know. I didn't see a big difference between the bond behavior of my male/ female gcc when compared to my current female/female Quakers. These bonds or friendships in some cases took more than year or longer to form. But did well as a flock.

Except if allowed to live together in the same cage . Can be out together fine. But if I let any of my pairs share a cage. Big escalation in cage aggression, mate guarding.

All the experience I can share.

But for me and what my take is on them. Its better for them to have a friend ( some kind of parrot) than be solo. The solo Quakers owners can share their experiences.

I don't know what the ideal sex ratio is, male /male, female/male or female/female???

But I advise separate cages. Plenty of time out together interacting as they wish.

 

[Xoetix]

I recently introduced my two boys, and maaaaaaan did they connect. Not immediately, but pretty shortly after the initial intro. Regurgitating, hormonal “dances”, you name it Honestly I kind of regret it, because Pudge (the younger, friendlier one) has become less my little bestie. On a happier note though, Burt (the older turd bird) seems to be less apt to kill me.

 

[ems08]

Having only one bird, I don't really have the right experience to help I don't think. I definitely couldn't afford to take on two at the same time-- cost of bird + cage + vet fees was not insignificant for one bird. Though I think clutch mates could be good, I don't know that it guarantees they get along.

I've thought about a second bird in the future, but not seriously at this point. I work from home and am a homebody so Riley has pretty extensive human socialization to at least partially make up for a lack of bird friends. But he doesn't like head scratches and sometimes I think maybe another bird would have more luck preening those pins than I do...

 

[Pixiebeak]

I recently introduced my two boys, and maaaaaaan did they connect. Not immediately, but pretty shortly after the initial intro. Regurgitating, hormonal “dances”, you name it Honestly I kind of regret it, because Pudge (the younger, friendlier one) has become less my little bestie. On a happier note though, Burt (the older turd bird) seems to be less apt to kill me.

I think these are still early days for them and very well may settle down.
And your relationship will evolve. It took me nearly a year to turn Phoebe into my sweet cuddle girl. Whikeceas instant with Pikachu. And hit and cold at first with Penny, she wanted to be lovie, but bern through some stuff prior to me.

How long have you had your 2?

 

[Pixiebeak]

Having only one bird, I don't really have the right experience to help I don't think. I definitely couldn't afford to take on two at the same time-- cost of bird + cage + vet fees was not insignificant for one bird. Though I think clutch mates could be good, I don't know that it guarantees they get along.

I've thought about a second bird in the future, but not seriously at this point. I work from home and am a homebody so Riley has pretty extensive human socialization to at least partially make up for a lack of bird friends. But he doesn't like head scratches and sometimes I think maybe another bird would have more luck preening those pins than I do...

So expensive! And prices keep going up.

You are most definitely meeting Rilry needs. A lucky boy!

More important in one's with working parents, who spend a lot of time caged