how to go about introducing major mitchell hen?

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spanna
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hi crew

have had a lone major mitchell cockbird for yonks now (split western/eastern subspeices, was gifted to me...) and my neighbours have a young hen of the eastern subspecies. am not expecting any breeding but was wondering how to go about introducing the hen to my boy since he's already the dominant bird in the aviary?? just worried he might try ripping her apart the moment he see's her :?

any tips?

cheers
spanna
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jusdeb
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Cages side by side at first to assess the body language , who knows he might welcome her with open wings ...lets hope hey .
Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue.
David Brent
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spanna
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thanks deb, they're both quite friendly birds though so will hope for the best... i should have been more clear though, he's in an aviary by himself with no direct adjoining aviaries... could i put her in a small cage inside the aviary and monitor them? don't have any plans for the day so could just sit there all day in a camping chair quite happily :lol:
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VR1Ton
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SLOWLY :lol:

I've found, contrary to popular beleif, that they are quite accepting of new partners if done slowly. I usually house them in a suspended cage next to each other for between 4 - 8 weeks, then give them ago. They generally scream at each other through the wire for the first week or so, then settle in & begin to bond through the wire, sitting side by side & trying to preen. Once this is happening introduce them into their cage at the same time so there is no established teritories, but keep a close eye on them, just in case. If using the cage that your cock is in now, re-arrange it a little to distract him when reintroduced.
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jusdeb
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Can you rig a cage to the side of the aviary ? What VR1 said sounds spot on to me especially rearranging his house when she goes in .

Good luck really hope it works out .
Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue.
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Myzomela
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Agree with the suggestions so far but BE CAREFUL.

You are introducing a young hen to a mature cock- in a species notorious for cocks killing hens, even in well established & successful pairs.

I'd go to the trouble of pulling the cock out, rearranging the aviary furniture eg perches, logs etc, put the cock in the smaller cage and the hen in the main aviary, then see how they get along next to each other.

You should of course quarantine the hen first away from your cock- even if she's come from next door. Worm her & spray her for lice & mites.

These are just some suggestions that may help.

Good luck
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jusdeb
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Can I tell you about a friends friend who breeds MMs ? Course I can ...

Anyhoo these birds are so placid and beautiful towards both the owner and each other , its a match made in birdie heaven UNTIL she goes down on eggs then he turns into the MM from hell .

In order to enter the aviary to do any check ups or clean ups the owner dons full riot gear , yep cricket leg protectors , that thingy you blokes wear over your dangly bits , layer upon layer of jumpers and finally a cricket helmet with the face thing attached .

Armed with a milk crate he rushes in and scoops up the male in the milk crate which secures him while he does what needs doing .

Why ? Because the last time he went in during breeding season unprotected he ended up at the hospital requiring stitches .

True story .

And when I grow up Im gonna have me a pair of those gawjus looking birds ...
Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue.
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VR1Ton
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Thats a common thing Deb. The problem is , with tame/handreared cockies, they have no fear of man, & see them as a flock member entering their teritory. One of my cocks even has a go out of season, & hat, boots & gloves are in order if he's in a foul mood, & thats just to feed them, pulling young is a two person operation. Another of my pairs, both birds not handreared, will only try & have a go if nesting, all other times they'll try & hide in behind the log (they're in the cage next to the Corella & didn't make a sound when the snake was on the roof of their cage), even when pulling young, one glove & one eye in the back of your head is needed.
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spanna
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okay, thanks heaps guys. slowly slowly is the key then, sounds good. will see if i can rig anything up next to the existing aviary, or even inside the aviary so there's no chance of escape. was planning on a huge overhaul of the aviary tomorrow as well, so that will coincide perfectly. have a couple of big tree stumps with multiple forks to put in and heaps of perches to run between those, and of course replace existing perches, which, knowing my bird as i do, will p%*& him off so much he probably wouldn't notice a new housemate for 48 hours!!
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desertbirds
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ABK has had several articles over the years relating to the agro that cocks can show.I recall reading that it can happen even in a pair that has been together for years.Photos showing the hen missing large sections of her beak was enough to put me off trying MMs as we had a cock given to us from wild care several years ago.The birds in that article were also in a very large aviary.The placid cock bird we had also went on to take a big chunk out of my brothers forehead for no apparent reason.They bite real hard and i laughed real hard as brothers do.Good luck, would be keepin a close eye on them.
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