Hi all
I took the plunge and brought home Franklin, who is about 6 weeks now, to Winston (about 10-12 months, birthday unknown).
Unfortunately it hasn’t gone as I hoped it would so far - which I thought I was mentally prepared for but obviously not.
Frankie (who we are pretty sure is a boy) came out of the nest only recently and when we picked him up, was huddled up with an adorable group of 3 little babies, one of whom was mothering and feeding him, which apparently he liked.
Winston has been with us, just me and my husband (and our 11 year old Labrador) since November 2021. He’s been pampered and tamed and trained, he’s got an extensive vocab, but is a very stubborn little thing (naturally) and does things on his own terms.
Frankie has his littleish cage which was Winston’s travel cage (not actually small) and Winston has his large flight cage all to himself. I had some initial positivity on day one of the introductions where Winston was of course interested. But Frankie is very attention seeking (from Winston - not me) and wants to be mothered and is desperate to be with Winston. However in the last 48 hours, I feel like Win has dug his heels in in his assertiveness.
Baby Frankie wants his love so Winston’s refusing to provide it.
It’s early days but I’m feeling so sad. My husband and I thought long and hard and waited ages to decide on whether to go ahead. Ultimately, with Win chatting to his tiny mirror night after night (home made, very small and part of other toy - please no mirror talk), we concluded that despite how much we love him (and he us) we can’t substitute for a feathered friend. We waited to find a breeder we trusted and a little one who was gorgeous and healthy.
We bring him home, and Winston’s all puffed up and blustering (after his namesake) while our baby Frankie just wants love. In some of the brief close interactions they had, Frankie was obviously trying to kiss or seek food from Win, and I couldn’t be sure but I suspect in return Win was pecking back rather than kissing. Also doesn’t help that I have to train Frankie at the same time and I’m feeling all down about that because Winston’s around and he’s not interested.
I know you can never know and I’ve done the reading but I’d still love to hear any constructive advice, your experiences introducing new birds (particularly babies and adults), and stories. I really hate the idea of after all this, having to keep them separate.
Would appreciate advice too on anything I can do to encourage their relationship. I tried to force bread breaking together …. Pic attached.
I took the plunge and brought home Franklin, who is about 6 weeks now, to Winston (about 10-12 months, birthday unknown).
Unfortunately it hasn’t gone as I hoped it would so far - which I thought I was mentally prepared for but obviously not.
Frankie (who we are pretty sure is a boy) came out of the nest only recently and when we picked him up, was huddled up with an adorable group of 3 little babies, one of whom was mothering and feeding him, which apparently he liked.
Winston has been with us, just me and my husband (and our 11 year old Labrador) since November 2021. He’s been pampered and tamed and trained, he’s got an extensive vocab, but is a very stubborn little thing (naturally) and does things on his own terms.
Frankie has his littleish cage which was Winston’s travel cage (not actually small) and Winston has his large flight cage all to himself. I had some initial positivity on day one of the introductions where Winston was of course interested. But Frankie is very attention seeking (from Winston - not me) and wants to be mothered and is desperate to be with Winston. However in the last 48 hours, I feel like Win has dug his heels in in his assertiveness.
Baby Frankie wants his love so Winston’s refusing to provide it.
It’s early days but I’m feeling so sad. My husband and I thought long and hard and waited ages to decide on whether to go ahead. Ultimately, with Win chatting to his tiny mirror night after night (home made, very small and part of other toy - please no mirror talk), we concluded that despite how much we love him (and he us) we can’t substitute for a feathered friend. We waited to find a breeder we trusted and a little one who was gorgeous and healthy.
We bring him home, and Winston’s all puffed up and blustering (after his namesake) while our baby Frankie just wants love. In some of the brief close interactions they had, Frankie was obviously trying to kiss or seek food from Win, and I couldn’t be sure but I suspect in return Win was pecking back rather than kissing. Also doesn’t help that I have to train Frankie at the same time and I’m feeling all down about that because Winston’s around and he’s not interested.
I know you can never know and I’ve done the reading but I’d still love to hear any constructive advice, your experiences introducing new birds (particularly babies and adults), and stories. I really hate the idea of after all this, having to keep them separate.
Would appreciate advice too on anything I can do to encourage their relationship. I tried to force bread breaking together …. Pic attached.
I will continue to keep housing separate but our house is very small. I think perhaps my best option will be - if things get any better - to completely redo Winston’s flight cage and change up the decor - do you think that would have a similar result?
