GOT NEW ONES

[feika]

I've got a new breeding pair in exchange of the earlier one that I had as they were both suspected of being males (Remember, we don't have DNA sexing done here). So this new pair is a lot more sociable than the previous one, whistles a lot and seems to be settling in quite nicely. Let's see what the outcome is this time.
I also got a male CAG for Jojo and I had put their cages side by side each other for now and they are as I put it, in the courtship phase 1 at the moment, getting to know each other. In about a week, 10 days time, I will shift them to a new bigger cage so that they may try their hand at making it a home.
I have decided to name him Mighty Joe as he is way too darker in color as compared to Jojo who is a lighter shade of grey. My only concern at the moment is that while Jojo is around 7 years old, I don't know the exact age of Mighty Joe. The boy who had him said that he got him about 2 years ago and he was fully grown then, meaning that his eyes were clear at that time. He used to sit on hand but now he's been cage bound for at least last 2 years. I try to hand feed him the peanuts which he obliges but he surely eyes me with suspicion and squaks every now and then, however, if I hadn't had the intentions of pairing him up with Jojo I bet with little efforts, he could step up within no time.

[jules]

better luck this time then ali. could you not spend time with mighty joe anyway until he's more used to jojo.

or would you rather he stayed a little wild 

[feika]

Jules, he's not completely wild I guess, he's been placed in the lounge for at least last 2 years so he's very much at ease with humans but I think since there wasn't any handling or talking from a close range he eyes me with suspicion. If there was any talking, he may have picked up quite a few words, but he only whistles.
I fed him peanuts by hand in the morning and allowed him to get a nibble or two of my fingers, audacious of me I know, but I took my chances to make him at peace with me and he didn't bother to bite, not even his eyes suggested the same.
That is why I think that he may become a good boy easily. However, since he is here for the breeding purpose and the onus of feeding Jojo and the future chicks will be on Mighty Joe, I don't want him to look for a gift horse in the mouth every now and then. I'm interacting with him normally but of course not the way I interact physically with Jojo and Captain, they are just sweet darlings.

[jules]

ahh i see,i understand what you're trying to do. i think he'd still be my pet all the same. 

[feika]

ok, I shifted Mighty Joe and Jojo in a single cage in the morning, and both were trying to rip each other apart--well only threatened actually--which is part and parcel of the bonding procedure if you try and pair up 2 adult CAGs who have never seen each other before. They are in a smaller cage at the moment because putting them in the bigger cage, most of the times, would lengthen the bonding process as the birds choose to book their own corners and sit idle, whereas in a smaller cage they have to interact with each other, even fight for a better spot to perch, fight over food and they can easily learn to accept each other as mates.
There are certain watch outs though, if there's excessive fighting and/or chances of starvation of any, the owner should keep them apart till such time that they are ready to behave with each other.

[jules]

how are mj and jojo getting on now? still in their smaller cage ali? 

[feika]

Yes still are, for two reasons: one, it is necessary for them to be in close proximity to each other so that they may develop a strong bonding and learn to live peacefully with each other; and second I will get their breeding cage sometime in late September. If I put them in the bigger cage straight away, chances are that they may book their own corners and sit there aloof and sort of indifferent to each other's presence.
They have not yet come to terms with feeding peacefully though, the brawls start when either one tries to munch on something, the other one lunges with his/her beak, followed by, surprisingly, kisses. But so far no regurgitating from MJ and no preening of each other which are sure shot signs of bonding. However, they are progressing along as I see it.

[jules]

ah thats good then  i suppose it will take some time,but the kisses are a good sign ali 

[rocketrollins]

Any news on these birds and the breeding ?
 Oh and what will will the eyes look like if they are going to bite??

[SeanM]

Some people say pinning pupils precede a strike, but so does a treat that they are excited about, with Koosie anyway, I think you just have to learn to read your own bird.

[feika]

Quick pinning of the eyes combined with a whole body fluffed up bird is a sign of aggression, normally when they are excited and pin their eyes, only the neck and surrounded areas are fluffed. You have to learn the body language of your bird, which only time will teach you.

As for Jojo and MJ, they are sure a pair as they mated quite frequently the whole last season, made up the nest but I only saw Jojo went in a couple of times, no eggs. I'm hoping to get some this season, let's see, but you just can't stand see them fight followed by beaking, I think they are just like us humans, and in their case too, it is almost always Jojo who starts the fight.

[carol]

i soon learned body language with my 2 georgie gets excited wants to play but not madam she wants to stand there shivering till she suddenly gets corage fluffs up and attack then world war 3 starts hence seperate cages for my 2

[alicat]

bluebell and sinbad went out in the new aviary together today for the first time and all went well , no fighting but a few interactions with flutterings round the cage.
i stayed very close today watching them, with the big sprayer in my hand to start with just in case there was a fight i needed to break up  but they were both truly relaxed around each other by the end of the afternoon.
obviouslythey arent together for breeding as totally differant types of birds but its nice tosee them out there together.