Zebra finches fighting

[JeveFinch]

About a month ago I bought two pairs of zebra finches and they seemed to get along fine until the last few days where the males have been fighting and one of them had a squinted eye and feathers missing all around him, although his eye seems to have healed now. I separated the pairs into separate cages still next to each other and they both seemed to have calmed down. Would this be the reason that it is suggested you have either one pair or three pairs plus? Should I get a third pair?
... Just to be clear I have an aviary which will soon be ready to put them all in which has enough room for five pairs of finches but I don't want that many as I want to leave plenty of space for them to fly around, so don't worry about the space issue, if it is better for my finches and their safety to have three pairs then I am more than willing to accept the responsibility of another pair, so I guess my main question is should I get a third pair?

[Sally]

It depends on the size of your aviary. The recommendation to have either one pair or three or more applies to cage situations. For some reason, two pairs in a cage often will cause issues, while adding a third pair seems to break up that rivalry. I personally would wait till the aviary is finished and see how they get along with more space. You can always add a third pair then if you need to.

[MiaCarter]

Agreed with Sally.
I'd leave them as-is for now and then re-mix once you have the aviary and decide to add another pair at that point. Sometimes the extra space is all they need to be peaceful.

Did anything else change in the environment?
Like the addition of a nest? (Or perceieved nest?)

Or perhaps some breeding behaviors?
Competition over mates is a common cause of feuding among males who were formerly peaceful

[JeveFinch]

Thankyou Sally and MiaCarter for your replies. Also MiaCarter I haven't changed anything or added a nest yet (waiting until September which is the start of spring here) and I don't think there is competition over mates as they both seemed to have paired off and they sleep in pairs in different parts of the cage. So at the moment I have each pair in a separate cage and the male who was injured appears to be healing up, his feathers are still gone but his eye seems fine. When the aviary is finished if they still continue to fight, does that three or more pair recommendation mean I should get another pair of zebras or can it be another mutation or species of finch. I have a friend who breeds black breasted zebra finches so would they be alright with normal zebras, I'm hoping I won't have to get any more but if they continue to fight I want to know what I can put with them.

[JeveFinch]

Actually I just found out that my friend isn't breeding his black breasted zebra finches until next year so I need to look elsewhere if they are fighting. I know someone who's dad breeds owl (double bar) finches. So do you happen to know how they would go with the zebras?

[Ginene]

Zebbies are awesome little birds, but they cause tons of housing issues. I personally wouldn't house zebras with owls. Owls are more of a community finch. I believe zebras & owls can hybridize.

[Corkysgirl]

Ginene is right. They may get along but they will mate and will hybridize. Right now I'm having issues with zebras that got along, not getting along. Zebras are always changing the rules. It's a constant watch, tweak the situation accordingly. Good luck!

[JeveFinch]

Thankyou Ginene and Corkysgirl for answering. At the moment I have two fawn females and two normal males, if the time comes that I need another pair do you think I could put another mutation of zebra with them. The ballarat bird show is in a week so I can have a look there, but would a black breasted pair be alright to house with them?

[Ginene]

JeveFinch...yes! Definitely put another mutation of zebra with them. 1 more pair should improve your situation. I recommend quarantining any new birds before adding them to your existing flock. This will keep all of the birds safe and healthy.

[Corkysgirl]

A mutation of zebra would be fine as Ginene said. She gave great advice about quarantining them.

[JeveFinch]

Ok, thanks so much guys. I think I will get a mutation of zebra finch to add variety. I'll have a look at the bird show and I have spare cages so quarantine will be no issue.