Housing A Splendid Parakeet With Finches?

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 7:34 pm

I was wondering if anybody here has a Splendid Parakeet that they house with their Finches?

I was considering getting a single male Splendid Parakeet and had read on one website that they could be housed with Finches since they were very calm and docile.

I would feel better about trying this if somebody here has done this and could share with me their experiences with this combination.

I have also heard that Bourks Parakeets can be housed with Finches too...hmmmm?

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 12:13 am

You can put them together if you have a very large aviary... but if you don't have to, I don't think I'd risk it. A parakeet can really hurt a finch.

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:41 am

Emily....I have just 2 male Zebra finches at the moment I plan to get 2 Owl finches and was considering the Splendid as well.

The cage I am purchasing is:

HQ Flight Cage Features:
- Dimensions: 62'' height, by 32'' length, by 21''
- Inside Height: 35''

Maybe that is not enough to be considered a "large Aviary"...the Owls are my first consideration so maybe having 1 splendid in with 4 finches in that size cage would not be enough room and put the finches at risk housing a Splendid with them?

I appreciate any guidance on this.

Nipper06 · Post by **Nipper06** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:34 am

I'd be very cautious about putting the Splendid or Bourke Parakeets with finches in anything smaller than a large aviary. especially if you ever plan to breed them.

I know these types of parakeets are more docile than other regular parakeets (budgies) and other small parrots. However, crowding and hormones can bring out the worst in birds - and even single birds (esp. parrots) can have "hormone" problems.

I gave a pair of Java Sparrows to someone who, unknown to me, tried to breed Cockatiels and Javas in the same "aviary" - really it was not much bigger than the size of a large flight cage (it was maybe 5 feet X 5 feet X 5 feet). Once the birds started breeding, trouble started and the "peaceful" Cockatiels (also mentioned as a bird compatible with finches sometimes) killed both my Java Sparrows. I was furious because this guy should have known better than to crowd finches with parrot-family birds like this - especially when breeding - and I vowed to never give this guy any of my finches again. So, I would advise being very careful about putting all these birds together. A separate cage for parakeets might be the better solution.

Boothcreek · Post by **Boothcreek** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 6:51 pm

Both Splendid and Bourkes have the same calm and reserved temperament and are absolutly no problem with finches, my Bourkes even let themselfs be bullied by my agressive Javafinch and an agressive euro. Right now they are in a indoor flight cage thats about 6 feet tall, 4-5 feet wide and about 2 feet deep. They share this flight with 3 weavers, 2 Euros and 1 society finch for the winter, in the summer they are ALL going outside in a 2mx2mx180cm aviary which they will also share with 2 cockatiels.
I don't breed my birds tho, if I was I would definetly seperate the breeding birds from the rest of the flock.

It never hurts to try and put them together as long as you can keep a good eye on them for the first week or so.

Post by **Hilary** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:24 pm

I have to agree with Nipper and Emily - given the size of the new cage, I would not risk it.

FINCHforum

Housing A Splendid Parakeet With Finches?

Housing A Splendid Parakeet With Finches?

Parakeet with finches - be very careful !!!