how to go about introducing major mitchell hen?

[bleeding green]

See I was on to something. There's hope for my career as a detective yet.

[finchbreeder]

Spanna as I recall that Major avairy is very large? Anyway of building a tempory wall and giving them an end each for a week or 4?
Just might even the access without one being at the disadvantage of the small cage. Oh and it is not always the cock who is aggressive. Hen Galah I used to have, introduced to Mums cock who had lost his hen. Working on the principal they could get to know each other and maybe breed in a year or 2. This lass could make her fortune over in Kalgoolie. She had a chick in under 3 months and 3 yrs later is still bossing the hell out of the poor bloke.
LML

[bleeding green]

Spanna as I recall that Major avairy is very large? Anyway of building a tempory wall and giving them an end each for a week or 4?
Just might even the access without one being at the disadvantage of the small cage. Oh and it is not always the cock who is aggressive. Hen Galah I used to have, introduced to Mums cock who had lost his hen. Working on the principal they could get to know each other and maybe breed in a year or 2. This lass could make her fortune over in Kalgoolie. She had a chick in under 3 months and 3 yrs later is still bossing the hell out of the poor bloke.
LML

Do you want to elbaorate for us easterners?

[jusdeb]

Think it means she is a " Galah of the night " = tart .

[bleeding green]

hmm, that's what I was thinking but I didn't want to assume that.Ah well, if you got it flaunt it I say.

[spanna]

yeah thanks FB, we didn't have enough spare mesh laying around to section off a huge part of the aviary but have made a roughly 1x2 metre mini aviary inside the existing that i will lock the boy (who's called Mitchell, of course...) in for a while. will see how they go but my boy is a gentle fella and i'm told the hen is the same. fingers crossed, will be putting new perches in the aviary today so they will have plenty to distract them when i introduce the hen tomorrow morning...

[finchbreeder]

Cockies generally take a couple of years to bond then breed. So any hen who has a chick in 3 months. Well I like the way Deb put it.
LML

[spanna]

so, after all the prep and concern, the morning arrived...


this morning, finished up the temp aviary and put some good perches in there, then (eventually) chased my boy into it and locked him in. made the trip next door (a long 200 metre walk in 30+ degrees and 50% humidity!) and had a quick catch up. then went out to the aviaries and met "elmo" and donned the cricket batting gloves in preparation, thinking the extra padding would mean no pain for me. went in, caught her in under a minute, and of course she managed to find the inner of the gloves where there isn't any padding!!! so after a bit of cussing i got her into the carry box, wiped the blood off, and back to mine we all go

opened up my aviary, talking to both birds, giving a formal introduction (getting some weird looks from my neighbours im sure!) and let her loose.....



nothing happened....



went and looked at her and she was just staring at the opposite end to the door so gave her a push in the right direction and she cautiously meandered out onto the floor, then straight up onto the wire near my boy! tense moments passed...


she moved a little closer, both birds crests went up and feathers ruffled, one hiss from my boy, and then





cuddles....

not. one. scream.
not a single open beak standoff, just curiosity and cute little MM chatter.

they have been sitting right next to each other through the wire ever since i put them together a couple of hours ago. i know it's early days yet, but im gonna go ahead and say "WIN!!" for stage one

[jusdeb]

That is awesome news , I bet your relieved ... now some soft music and dim lights and maybe some mini majors Hope your hand isn't too damaged.

[Buzzard-1]

Great commentary had the whole scene going on in my head. Great result