When to find a new cagemate?

meghann · Post by **meghann** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 11:08 pm

Hi, new to this forum although not new to having finches. But have a new situation for us, so thought I would ask for advice.

Last Saturday, we had an accident and our two cordons got out of their cage. Both females, we've had them for almost 3 years and they were a VERY bonded pair. Well, in the events that ensued, one ended up passing away.

The other survived, although without tail feathers. She was put on a course of antibiotics to be safe, and she is doing really well. Acting like her old self and it's been almost a week so I feel confident she is going to be fine.

I was listening to some bird clips online, and she was getting very excited when she heard them, flying more than she has since the accident, and chirping away. And it got me to thinking, when should we find her a new cage mate? She was so close to the other one. They'd sleep together, preen each other, and do the mating dance to each other even, lol!

We currently don't have any other finches, so I can't just put her near another cage or anything like that.

So, she seems healthy and is getting around fine, but her tail feathers are going to take a while to grow back, obviously. I don't want her to be lonely, but I don't want her to be picked on either for not being 100%.

So, when do you think we should start looking for a new friend for her?

hilljack13 · Post by **hilljack13** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 12:00 am

It wont hurt to wait a week or even two before looking for a new mate. If your lucky your local shop will have another blue, I rarely see them where I live. But as soon as your bird is acting normal and starts to show pin feathers you should be able to give her a mate.

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:23 am

I agree with the above posted. And Im sorry you lost your other bird, Thats never easy.

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 9:33 am

Hello Meghann....welcome!

Sorry to hear about your bird.

I agree with HJ on his advice. Good Luck!

hilljack13 · Post by **hilljack13** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 10:39 am

Also be sure to let us know how your bird is doing and when you get her a mate.

Post by **Sally** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 11:48 am

Welcome to the forum, meghann! I'd start looking for a new buddy for your CB right away, as it may take some time to find one. If you are interested in breeding, then you can get a male. Other species will be company, but it is always better to have a buddy of their own species.

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 2:21 pm

plus the need to place new bird in quaranteen as well so Look now jjust dont place together now was what I meant. lol

And please let us know how it all goes.

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 5:12 pm

Meghann....are you looking locally or are you open to getting a bird shipped to you? There are some people on this forum who do ship birds. Just a thought!

meghann · Post by **meghann** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 12:06 pm

Thanks all! I guess we'll start our hunt soon.

She is still doing well, seems back to her normal self. In fact was being quite a loud mouth yesterday, but in a good way.

I will keep you all updated as we look for a new partner for her.

FeatherHarp-I think we want to stick with local if we can. We would be quite nervous about having one shipped. We are in central Texas, if anyone knows any breeders there that may be able to help us.

Sally-we are looking for a female. We've got a lot on our plate right now, so attempting to mate CB's would be a little too much at the moment. (we have 4 small children, a cat, a dog, and are moving in about 2 months.)

Post by **Sally** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 1:36 pm

There is a Bird Fair at Temple, TX, on March 15. If it isn't too far for you to drive, you might be interested in that.

meghann · Post by **meghann** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 2:33 pm

Thanks Sally! That's actually only half an hour away, so if we don't find anything sooner, I think we'll be headed to that!