Two New Keets are Pecking Each Other

User Question
I have two parakeets that are the same age, same sex, and were bought at the same store on the same day. So I put them both in the same cage the same day. They were fine until now and they have started to fight. Like nibble at the others foot when they want a perch to themselves. Or on make a quick peck at the other when he gets too close. Was I supposed to introduce them in seperate cages, or was I right in figuring they could be in the same cage from the start, since they already lived in the same cage at the store? Also, what would you suggest doing about the fighting since I'm afraid the pecking will lead to bleedgin when I'm not around which could mean the pecked one dies (the one being pecked at is my favorite because he will sit on my finger for brief moments of time before getting afraid again and getting back on a perch).

Lisa's Answer
Keets should start in separate cages, but now that they've been together it would be cruel and confusing to separate them unless things get really nasty. Keets are like 3 year olds - sometimes they play nicely and sometimes they throw tantrums. You need to give them as big a cage as possible, and then 2 of everything - 2 cuttlebones, 2 food dishes, lots of space so they can be apart and have their own separate place to hang out. If you try to squish them into a tiny cage or make them share things they are likely to get grumpy.

Birds naturally have a 'pecking order' and as you might imagine from the name, that involves pecking to determine who is the leader of the flock. But this should be a short temporary thing while they sort that out. It shouldn't be continuous. Continuous grumpiness is a sign that something is wrong in the environment.

BTW your keet shouldn't be on your finger if he's afraid - be sure to step through my training method so that your keet is getting on your finger because he *wants* to be there. Training is all about building trust - not about doing things your keet is afraid to do, because you want him to.

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