Cage mates for Diamond Doves

[Paddington]

Hello,
I have recently acquired a lovely paid of diamond doves. I am hoping to get more pair of birds to round out the flight cage. However I heard that some birds will pluck diamonds to line their nests, and that they tend to be easily bullied.

Does anyone have any suggestions for birds that would be good cage mates for the doves? I was thinking of Gouldians or Owls.

Also would it be too difficult to breed both pairs simultaneously, or would i be better off separating them?

Thanks!

[debbie276]

I've have gouldians, owls and diamond doves together in an outside aviary without any problems.

[finchmix22]

Paddington
Whatever mix you keep in your aviary or flight, give them plenty of feathers to cut down on plucking to use feathers for nests. I use Emu feathers and they love those. The males use the longer feathers when they sing and dance for courtship. So cute!

[MiaCarter]

Most mild-mannered finches are just fine with diamond doves.

Even some of the more aggressive varieties are okay with them in my experience because the diamond doves have a size advantage so by virtue of being a lot larger they don't pick on them.

Diamond doves are usually very sweet and mild mannered. I've never had a problem when I had them. I kept them with zebras, stars, societies and shaft tails, if I recall properly.

Plucking seems to be a potential issue regardless of species, in my experience. But like finchmix22 mentioned, offering feathers and other nesting items tends to remedy this.
In addition to emu feathers, you can also offer a natural (non-dyed) feather duster if you've got a plucking issue.
That tends to satisfy those who enjoy the actual plucking experience. (The pluckers who pluck for the sake of plucking, not to get nesting)