Keets and Pecking Order

User Question
I had recently purchased 4 parakeets within the last month. I had bought only one at first and she isn't hand raised I bought all my parakeets from Petco and Petsmart so their all not hand raised. I know 2 are definitely girls and 1 is definitely a boy but im not sure about the last one it's nose is still changing colors. The first 2 I bought are still getting use to my hand but the last 2 the day after I bought them they let me hold them.

My question is, The first parakeet I bought is starting to be a little bully and is always fighting with the other keets! I'm wondering is she feeling intimidated by the 2 new ones or is she just trying to show them whos boss? I just want them to all get along. When I bought the 2nd one she liked her and was playing with her but since the 2 new ones shes been a real bully.

Lisa's Answer
Pecking order is a term for a reason - birds naturally manage their flocks by figuring out who is the ruler and who are the followers. To think that a flock will be a calm, quiet, always completely peaceful group is like expecting 3 year old groups to always get along. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't.

Also you should never just put a new keet into a cage with other keets, it is important to introduce birds to each other slowly so they get used to each other. I talk about that a fair amount on the site. Also if you are going to have males and females together, be sure to talk to a vet immediately about breeding, get the equipment and buy a book or two on breeding. It's critical that you be around 24 hours a day during breeding times, to care for the mom and keets.

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