Adding two more

[jackcjjc]

Hi,
I am new here and have some questions for all of you bird experts. I currently have two male cockatiels, approx 12 yrs old. I happened to come across two female cockatiels that need a home. I am definitely NOT looking to breed. My question is .....Is it possible to house all of them together in the same cage without having problems? ie males fighting each other or any new additions of little tiels.

Also I have a fairly large cage now for my two cockatiels but I have been searching for a larger cage if I would get these new additions. Any recommendations on size for four cockatiels?

On a different note.....Can you place lovebirds in with cockatiels?

And last question I promise, if I was looking to adopt another larger bird, not a tiel, any recommendations? I have been lurking your board here for a few months and from reading post here and doing independent research I think the larger parrots, cockatoo,macaws, may be too much for me to handle.

Thank you in advance for your help and advice.

Take good care.
Jack

[Shirley]

Hi Jack, and welcome to the forum!

Your male tiels will breed with the females, in all likelihood, and putting all four together will likely result in problems. And, you definitely don't want to put any birds in with your 'tiels until you first put them in cages side-by-side, and then out of their cages in the house to see how they get on, and then, under very close supervision, you might try putting a tiel in with them IF the cage is VERY large and has 3 or more food and water stations - and then they may not get on once you are out of sight, during the night, whatever. It's a big risk. They are 12, and not likely to take to another bird, ESPECIALLY not another species.

My mixed-species flight cage was started when the birds were a few weeks beyond weaning.

Lovebirds can bite really hard, and can be quite aggressive.

Regarding larger parrots -- their expense and care is far more than their original purchase price - and the time they take, commitment, is staggering, especially if you are young and like to "have a life", travel, are going to school or university, etc.

Keep the questions coming. Perhaps a mixed-species finch flight would be fun - finches are beautiful and very entertaining. Some species don't mix well, but several do. And get them in two's or three's... all males or all females, otherwise you'll have eggs, and possibly egg-bound females, which may die.