Brawl in the finch cage

[KelleyFrench]

Hi. I am brand new here. I'm very enthusiastic but inexperienced with finches, and although I've been reading a ton I could really use some input from experts.

I bought five male Gouldians and a pair of Cordon Blues. The breeder told me they would all be okay in the cage together, but now I'm not so sure. The first night one of the Gouldians died. It looked sick when I picked them up, and when I asked about it the breeder said it bathed and then got chilled in the car's A/C when they were driving it to my town, so they took responsibility and replaced him. Rough start.

A few days later, I had two bloody Cordon Blues and a Gouldian who could not fly. Feathers were plastered to the side of the cage. The vet found peck marks and bruises and said it was due to fighting, and they were probably fighting over the lone and small Cordon Blue female. So I bought a second large cage and put the Cordon Blues by themselves, and they seem happy together in their new place. I kept the bruised Gouldian separate for a few days until he could fly again, then returned him to the "frat house." Now I have five males in a 48" x 51" cage. I just caught them fighting again. I can't tell who the troublemaker(s) is/are.

Do I have too many in a cage? The breeder said I could easily put 8-10 birds in a cage that size.
Are they picking on the one who was injured? Did introducing the "replacement" bird make everyone angry?
There are no next boxes in the cage. There are multiple food and water stations but only one millet. Maybe they are fighting over the millet?

I would love to have more finches but not until I can sort this out. Should I add females or trade some males for females? Would that calm things down or make it worse? Can that size cage hold more birds? If so, what would be compatible?

ANY advice appreciated. Thank you so much.

Kelley

[Musetta]

Hi Kelley, I don't have any experience with CBs, but I have two Goulds and I know them to be passive birds. But I have two hens. I am sure someone more experienced ( debbie276 ) can be more helpful.

About your cage dimensions...is one of those measurements you listed the length? As you may know from your reading, the length is what's important.

[fhgwgads]

KelleyFrench they may be fighting due to an odd number. Also when introducing new birds you should remove them all and rearrange the perches so nobody feels entitled or like the king of the cage. Try arranging things so that they all have their own spot. And I would keep the injured one out for a while. Because of the of number they are likely going to keep singling him out. Also I wouldn't introduce a female because they will likely all fight over her and things could get worse. Try to find out who the instigator is and maybe he will need to be removed. I am sure other people will have plenty of advice as well. I am sorry that you ate going through this during you first experience!!! If you need more advice do not hesitate to ask! There are a ton of knowledge people here! And welcome! I hope things settle down a bit!I'm glad your CB's are at least doing better!


try getting silk leave to put in the cage through the bars to create some spots for privacy or to break up spots along perches and make sure everyone has room to eat at the same time as well.

[KelleyFrench]

Thanks!! So should I add another male to make an even number? Or trade a couple males so I would have 3 males and 3 females?
Could I add a parrot finch(es) or another species?
Can I get silk leaves at any craft store or do I need to take any precautions to ensure I don't introduce something toxic to the cage?
The cage length is 48 inches, height is 51 inches, depth is 24 inches.

[debbie276]

The measurements you list are the width and depth? it does sound like the gouldians are not getting along, possibly from being crowded or maybe just because of the birds personality. If you could, I would try separating them and see if that helps. If it does then you know they need more space.
I wouldn't add to the mix till I figured out why they aren't getting along. Usually goulds are calm and get along very well together.

Welcome to the forum!

[KelleyFrench]

I was told that I had tons of space, was that wrong? It's 51" high, four feet wide and two feet deep. I will try splitting them up again. I think the injured one might not have been back to 100 percent health because he seemed to have a little trouble reaching the highest perch, which is where they all like to hang out the most.

[KelleyFrench]

I was told that I had tons of space, was that wrong? It's 51" high, four feet wide and two feet deep. I will try splitting them up again. I think the injured one might not have been back to 100 percent health because he seemed to have a little trouble reaching the highest perch, which is where they all like to hang out the most.

[Acelin_Wolf]

Try this to see how many birds can happily live in your cage.

http://www.finchinfo.com/housing/cage_s ... ulator.php

If I entered it right, it seems that you can fit 4-5 birds in there. In the right combinations, of course! I'm sure others will have better advice about who to put where. xD

[ac12]

You need to provide enough HIGH perches at the SAME height that they won't fight over it. You can also put a divider on the perch so it effectively creates 2 (or more) perches out of one perch. Some birds will try to "claim" the entire perch, the divider limits them to just the area between the dividers.

Since he does not seem well, separate him and nurse him back to full health before you put him back with the rest. While in a small hospital cage, they can't fly much so their wing muscles will get weak. When they go back into a big cage, they need time to build up strength in their wings.

[debbie276]

I wouldn't put more then 4 or 5 birds in that size cage. The height does not matter, only the width and depth. It may be the personality of one that is setting things off.
Like Gary said if they are not used to tall flights they may take a while to build up those muscles. Multiple perches and some greenery to give little areas to get away from others may help a lot.
good luck

[Nerien]

You can get the silk leaves at a craft store, dollar store, anywhere. I wash mine first, mostly water, only a slight touch of soap, then lots of rinsing to make sure there's no soap left. Many are made by gluing the leaves to the plastic veins/stems, so don't keep them wet long or the glue softens up, just sort of dip, swish, rinse rinse rinse. Blot dry with a clean towel or paper towels, let finish drying, then you can use them.

You need enough perches at the exact same top height that all birds can perch there without being crowded or too close to someone they may not like. Birds like the highest perch available, so they may be fighting over that ("king of the hill" kind of thing). You can make one perch seem like two or three by putting some of the silk plants so that they divide a perch up into sections, the birds feel like they are sitting alone if there is a bushy thing between them and the next bird. Maybe also arrange some so that a perch or part of a perch is somewhat hidden behind leaves, out of sight is out of mind, gives them a place to retreat or hide if they want some quiet.

Are you absolutely sure that you have five males? If one is a female, that could be setting the other four off against each other.

[KelleyFrench]

Thank you so much everyone. I've adjusted the perches and am going to add some silk plants. I haven't seen any more problems with the Gouldians in a day or so.

This morning, though, the Cordon Blue male (for those keeping track, this is the one who is now sharing a cage with his woman and they have been separated from the Gouldians) was missing four tail feathers. Now both Cordon Blues are tail-less. He's also opening and closing his mouth constantly. Is this strange?
I posted a video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0s-Q2RE ... e=youtu.be

Is it possible these two don't get along and their fighting was the problem all along?

[lyzzyjayne]

Wow!! Maybe something respiratory? Poor guy. maybe air sac mites? Can you hear any wheezing?