2 is company 3's a crowd 4's too many 5's allowed?

[Spreckles]

Good grief!! If I could spank Blue's little bird butt I would. He isn't lonely he is bad! My 2 original birds are hen pecking the little CB hen. She is small and timid, and very pretty those jealous vixens. When I opened the cage doors this morning the 1st thing she did was fly into Blue's cage and greet him with a little kiss. He decide to return the favor with a bit of meanness. Fortunately she can fly out and seek a safe spot. Already all 4 know their way around the 2 cages to the top and the "side play yard".
There are plenty of places to eat, drink and perch! I rearranged Blue's cage some this morning, and took his mirror away again. When the 2 Socies are together they run the little hen off too. Poor little thing!!!!!! They be BAD BIRDS!!!!

I put on the music and am diffusing some calming oils across the room of course. It's not toxic because i have been doing it forever and no one has died. The only death around here was from the CAT

Right now the 2 new birds are in the bottom cage (Blue's favorite) Blue is on the very top of the cages hanging out like the king of Siam. Spreckles is foraging in the nest and everyone is tired of fighting. My sweet new Socie (is Hershey just too common of a name?) is cuddling the little hen thank God. She could use a hug.

My mother would say, "they are kids they have to work it out themselves". Thanks Mama you speak from the grave. She is probably right. I used to tell the kids you work it out. Don't you come in here and drive me crazy with your squabbling. You can only come in if your bleeding or hurt and if one of you makes the other one bleed there will be spankings! Not politically correct anymore...don't even get me started but it works. Hopefully their will be no blood.

I don't have a time out cage.....need a small cage among other things and some more money wouldn't hurt either

P.S. I can't see any difference between Blue and the little hen their colorings are identical except for his faded cheeks. So guess he is a he/she.....

[lovezebs]

Spreckles

If I were you, I would stay away from the scents, oils or otherwise, Karen.

Also, a word of caution: Your new birds, have been through the stress of being taken from wherever 'home and family' was and were. Then they were placed in a box and shipped out, which is extremely stressful for birds at the best of times. Then arriving at a new place, new cages, new diet, new companions..... They are scared and tired and stressed to the max.

I would strongly recommend, that these birds need rest and quiet, rather than chasing and being chased all over the place.

[Sally]

I believe you have two cages, right? I would put the two new birds in one of those cages and leave them in the cage for at least two weeks, let them get adjusted to new diet/water/home. I agree with lovezebs, they need rest and quiet after all the stress they have gone through.

[Spreckles]

ok feeling chagrinned

[lovezebs]

Spreckles

No need for chagrin , lol.

Listen, just don't want to see you lose your bird babies, because I know they mean a lot to you .

[Spreckles]

Feeling pretty bad to have added stress to them all. will try tomorrow to get them sorted out. Was trying to leave them alone and let them work it out. If I could have been sure of Blue's sex I would have ordered same sex which is what I thought I did.

The socies couldn't be happier. I will flip if I end up causing the demise of this little one. I hope she is young and strong.
Blue has been a big surprise. Do you think it would be a good idea to put his mirror back in? He is so fixated with it. Maybe he will go back to the mirror and not bother her?

This morning the newbies were together. The oldies were upstairs. i was gone all day. The socies were together with one CB in there too not sure which one think it's Blue. The other one was up on top hoping it will go into the cage and will close them up. not sure if i should separate them all again or leave the socies to enjoy themselves. ughhhh i have to cover the cages anyway tomorrow just to be sure they are warm enough. We are going to have a hard freeze. They are in my room but with all this extra stress the last thing they need is to get cold........

I just really hope they will be ok in spite of me...

[Sally]

We've all made this type mistake, don't feel bad. When I first had a pair of Cordon Bleus, I saw another pair at my first mart. I asked the vendor if they would get along with my pair, and he assured me they would be fine. I brought them home and put them in the cage with my original pair. (I never quarantined anything in those days, didn't know I should.) It was instant war, with the two males fighting to kill. I separated them immediately, and only then did I do some research. I found out that it is not recommended to put two pairs of Cordon Bleus in a cage, they will fight, just as I found out. You can have multiple CBs in an aviary setting, because then they have the space for each pair to mark out their territory.

Your little boy is just very overly excited to have a mate, and she is being overwhelmed by all the attention on top of all the newness. Keep them separated for a while, and eventually they should bond. CBs really are sweet little birds, they just have a few idiosyncrasies.

[Sheather]

I would let your societies stay together with Blue - assuming they get along, and he doesn't hurt them - and keep the new hen on her own within Blue's sight for a while to adjust and settle.

[wilkifam]

My sweet new Socie (is Hershey just too common of a name?

I had a Hershey, lots of other chocolate bar names too.

[Spreckles]

Well the newbies are together and Blue and Spreckles are together for now. The cage doors are closed. The heater is on with vitamins in the water that the shipper recommended. We are all going to take a break. I will let Spreckles and Blue fly tomorrow so they can visit each other with bars in-between them. Who knew?

Anyway, the little hen needs a rest. I need a rest. Last night I was so worried I was almost in real tears. I just didn't think little birds especially 4 of them would have any special requirements. I do believe they are healthy. I don't think anyone is sick. I read over at the Finch Information center last night everything I could find. But I do have to live within my budget and we have no vet. I prayed over them and asked God to tend them and give them health & peace. At least they are in a quiet warm room and undisturbed during the day. Today nobody flies and everyone rests. Cage doors closed. Thank you everybody for you kind comments and help.

[Sheather]

Most likely your birds are fine. Quarantine is good, it's a safety net, but most of the time birds don't have anything they will spread on them.

[Spreckles]

Sheather

We may be the rare few who let our birds fly. Thanks for the encouragement. This morning the birds are happily playing in their individual cages with the doors shut. The new birds are together and the old birds are together. I think it is wise to let them rest especially my little CB hen because Blue was chasing her. Old guy is interested. I am still not sure how to integrate my birds. The Socie's are in love and are probably frustrated apart but the Socie is very chummy with the little hen and she needs to get comfortable here and Blue needs to chill out. That guy!! He is going on 8yrs. I read that male birds quit breeding at 5 haha!!! So much for a companion in his old age.

Part of the problem is I really couldn't tell if Blue was a male or female. He looks just like a hen. In fact they are hard to tell apart! but my granddaughter says he used to have bright red cheeks. They are so faded you can barely see them now.

I thought about letting Blue and Spreckles free fly and visit the other 2 through the cage bars first and then open both doors after about a week. I don't know really. What would you do?