How to introduce a new irn to the flock

[bleupickle]

Hello! I have a 7 month old male indian ringneck (Pickle) and just brought home an 18 month old female (Bleu). Pickle likes to chase Bleu around and bite at her, and I cant tell if he doesnt like her or if hes just excited and trying to play. How do I introduce them and let them interact and get used to each other? Is thia normal behavior when introducing new irns? I'm fairly new to them ‍

 

[Pixiebeak]

I take introducing very slow , it's weeks before I let them out together. At first I have cages in opposite sides of a room, and alternate taking one out on me and walking over to the other and handing out treats to both but keeping apart. I also have a chair pulled up to the cage and have one out and just reading and relaxing feeding treats to both here and there. And switched who I do this with. Never let an out bird land on a caged bird cage this almost always leads to fights and injuries.
By the time I introduce them in a neutral area they are very used to positive association while being near each other in the control way . I prevent any charges or negativity. If one is being bad they get out up , and her to try again later .

 

[fashionfobie]

Neutral areas will help. I may suggest a few new toys on the play stand or even a new play stand if the budget allows. I also suggest floor foraging as a way for them to have a shared activity. You could layout a sheet and sprinkle it with some seed or high reward snacks (crumbled into tiny bits). Walking on the ground level via foraging can help reinforce a flock dynamic and social activity without the same baggage that a favourite perch may have.

I think it is expected that some brief squabbles will happen, but so long as they can both fly and get away they will resolve things their own way. It is risky if they interact through a cage since toes can get bitten off this way, but in a free fly situation they can escape and will when they need to. Trust your birds and try to be in a state of peacefulness as you observe their interactions. I know it is stressful for us in these situations, but the birds can react to our stress or anxiety. Do what you can to maintain a peaceful calm. Happily talking with them will help.

 

[MnGuy]

Whatever you do, remember that ringnecks do not form long-term pair bonds. They only pair up when breeding.

I’ve read too many posts about people forcing a male and female ringneck to live together, and it ending badly for one.

 

[Anfsurfer]

Whatever you do, remember that ringnecks do not form long-term pair bonds. They only pair up when breeding.

I’ve read too many posts about people forcing a male and female ringneck to live together, and it ending badly for one.

Very good factual information in your comment!

I really suggest joining the IRN group on Facebook. It's a very large group with many users who have experience with multiple birds.