mixing males only if I do not want to breed

[bohnnco]

Hi folks,

I plan to take this question to a very good bird store here in Houston as well. I really want 2 or 3 (max) finches in a decent sized flight, 30x30x48. I don't want to breed but I also don't know if it is a bad thing to keep only males, making them resist what is probably a primal breeding urge. Men are pigs, right?

First, is it OK to house only males? Will they still sing? Could I possibly mix gouldian males with something like a strawberry or cordon?

Many thanks,
Brett

[hilljack13]

Hi Brett,

I have three males in one cage now. Its 30x18x36 and they get along good, although they are all related and have been around each other a long time. But either way you should be OK, there may be some fighting at first and should settle down over time.

[Hilary]

I keep all of my bachelor male gouldians together in a large cage, and they're just fine other than occasional bickering over the choice perch of the day. There also happens to be a male cordon bleu in with them, and there has never been a problem. I haven't tried strawberries with anything but swees and jacarinis, but they've been fine with those birds. I did buy a male cb that was supposed to terrorize every other bird he was housed with (even the societies), but when he met Taniele (his wife) he mellowed and is now the perfect gentleman (with her, at least), so individual personalities will still play a role.

[tursiopschic]

I had a pure bachelor pad for the longest time. There were no problems whatsoever. It did create a stir when i added a female gouldian to the mix, but now she is one of the boys.

They all have their hierarchy, but no one is too dominant. Since I'm not breeding them, there aren't problems. They all sing, too, since there are a mix of types it lessens competition.

boys I have together:
tri-colored nun
white-headed nun
canary
gouldian
cordon blue

edited for grammar

[Hilary]

(By the way, Olivia, welcome back!!! )