All my white zebra finches do is fight.

[Finchster]

Hi,
I am a new finch owner. I purchased 2 white zebra finches from a local pet store. I was told they were sibling female birds. BUt the clerk said she was not sure. This was 2.5 weeks ago.

The first 2 weeks were great the finches got along in a small cage, always cuddled up together and preening each other. Sleeping in their nest together and being very nice. Wanting to be a responsible bird owner I felt they needed a larger cage since they seemed so cramped and really could not fly.

I bought a larger flight cage with multiple perches and feed/water dishes and for the first few days they were great. Now all they do if fight. I bought them toys, made a drape of fake plants across the center of the top half of the cage to separate them, and even bought a second nest.

One is definitely a hen since we found a broken egg in the bottom of the cage. But one was singing we think. They are so aggressive with each other it is disturbing.

I took both nests away at this point and hope it calms them down. Should I buy more finches to break up the fighting? Which kinds? I like gouldians, fire tails, society and spicie finches but I do not want to make it worse. Any help or advice would be great!

Thanks,
The Finchster

[Sally]

What size cage are they in now? Personally, I would not add more birds trying to calm them down, as it might just multiply your problems. Check out this link for some solutions to try:

http://www.finchinfo.com/housing/reduci ... ession.php

Pet stores often buy siblings from local breeders. If these are both hens, that is OK, but if one of them is male, then you might want to separate them, as they will try to breed. Sibling breedings are not desirable.

Welcome to the forum! There's lots of good reading at www.finchinfo.com, where you will find many articles on housing, diet, and especially the Zebra finch. If you put your general location in your profile, it makes it easier to answer locale-specific questions later on.

[Finchster]

Thanks for the info. I have tried most of those ideas let's see if taking the nests away helps.

The cage is 41"Hx31"Wx21"D

[Finchster]

They are still fighting. Does anyone have any other ideas? I already found and read that page before I posted. Any help would be great. This is ridiculous I thought this would be a nice relaxing hobby.

[Finchster]

When I separate them all they do is act lonely and call to each other. Now I put them both back in the small cage.