FINCHforum

My only pair are in a large-ish cage with only one other adult who is the son of the male. There has been no aggression between them, and the son has helped them feed the babies before.

The first chick (of four) came out of the nest today, and about fifteen minutes ago, the dad went and ripped off his tail. Poor thing was bleeding (it stopped on its own.)

One of the other chicks is about the same age as this one, but the remaining two are at least 5-6 days younger and won't fledge for another week or so.

I can handfeed, and have, but this seems pretty late to pull them for handfeeding. Has anyone had success pulling birds for Hf right before they reach weaning age?

Remove the dad from the cage.

One of my males will pluck his chicks after they fledge. I always have to remove him from the cage, to prevent him from badly plucking the chicks and his mate.

You may also have to remove his son, to prevent him from trying to mate with his mom.

Yes, you may have to remove the dad. Is the other male only the dad's son? Or is he related to the mom, too? If he is related to mom remove him. I have handfed a few days after some chicks fledged.

The son is from the dad's former mate.

I'm just worried that mom may have a tough time with four chicks to feed by herself, but I suppose it's better than yanking them to handfeed at this stage.

I'll stick the boys in the other cage with two hens and give them some fake eggs to hopefully prevent any breeding.

You can keep the son from the former mate with the new mom and her chicks, since they are not related and since he is helping

If I put only one male in Dot and Isabel's cage, they will fight. Those two either need to be by themselves or have a male each.

I swear, these birds can be as finicky as teenage girls sometimes!

Zebras will test your patience.
I have mine either in pairs or individual, to keep the aggression/fighting down. Even so, I have had a "cage buddy" turn against his cagemate.