Who should get the space?

[dcompt]

I'm still new at this and need some advice. Sorry this will be long. Here's the situation. I have an A&E double flight cage and single flight cage that, as of Tuesday, will be moved to an 8' table. I can, at any time then, removed the adjoining ends of the double and single to make a long open flight, the eventual goal, or make it a "double" on either end. Now I have two male society finches in one end of the double, a society pair and their 5 (!) chicks in the single. When on the table, what will be the middle section is now empty.

Of the two males, one had an accident (long story and, sigh, my fault) and in effect "clipped" his right wing. He is getting around the cage well after I put in perches that are good hops for him, and he is able to flutter well enough that he still sometimes visits the cage floor. He would be fine in a single section, but his buddy is an absolutely crazy bird, and really needs the larger space. I'm convinced he's found a crack supplier. Nutso bird.

The chicks will be a week fledged by the time the cages are together, but the parents are still very watchful when I come to the cage and cautious, if not exactly defensive of them. So, would you:

1. Open the middle section for the two males, the hopper and the crazy bird, and keep the family in the single for the present.

2. Open the middle section for the family to give them more room and keep the others in a smaller section.

3. Open it all and see what happens?

Is there a later point at which other birds can mix with the chicks? I aquired these two while the parents were incubating, so they have not been together before. I am somewhat concerned that the injured one with very limited flight would be vulnerable. I know societies usually love everyone, but I suspect Mom may be cranky. When their cages were closer, wow! could she scold! I could try putting crazy in a larger space with them, but it would leave the other alone. I assume the poor thing is handicapped until his next moult - I do not know when that will be - and the crazy is the one the parents would probably be more likely to object to.

Help!

[Dayna]

I would either give the family the bigger space or open it all up so they can all be together. If you open it all up there might be some scrapping at first but there should be enough room that everyone can get along peacefully with each other.