I have a problem

[Tish]

As most of you know I got 4 society finches a few weeks ago to add to the 2 society finches I already have. I put them all together yesterday, but the 4 finches are not excepting my original male, they won't sleep with him, the other males puff up and sing in his face. What do I do, I feel bad for him, he's sleeping all alone, he looks lonely. Will this change with time? Or should I take him and his original female out and put them in their own cage? I know this is a new situation for them all, but it's really bugging me. Any advice would be appreciated. My nerves are on end over this.

[Sally]

Did you take the original birds out of the cage, rearrange everything, and then put all 6 in at one time? They may just be working out the pecking order and will settle down soon. There are some tips for adding birds here:

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

[Stuart whiting]

Tish

Hi Tish,

I'd also be inclined to fully agree with Sally on this as rearranging the cage can often solve the problem, also as Sally has stated, have a proper look at the finch info centre link about reducing aggression and carefully study the page,
This I'm sure will help you aswell

[Tish]

No I didn't take out the original birds or rearrange anything. I should have. I did it wrong, now what do I do? I feel like such a failure

[Stuart whiting]

Tish

If you've got a spare cage IE small carry / traveling type of cage if not a box will be ok, place all birds in the carry cage or box and then rearrange there main cage,

Take out any nest boxes that may of already been in the cage, they don't need nest boxes unless you intend to breed from them, try to reposition there food and water,

Once done this now put all of the 6 birds back into the cage together,

There surroundings are now different and are probably less likely to bicker with one another etc,

Hope all goes well

[Tish]

The male that was originally in that cage isn't bickering. The new males that's been added are puffing up and singing in his face. He either backs away or Flies to a different perch, also I have no nest in the cage. I could try taking them all out and rearranging the cage, but how to catch all 6 in that big cage? Their going to be so stressed and it will be all my fault. I'am going perch shopping Wed, can I wait until then to rearrange their cage or should I do it right away?

[debbie276]

I'm sure they are just trying to decide their pecking order and will settle down quickly. See how they do today.
Puffing and singing at the male isn't such a terrible thing. My sisters society's always sang like that to each other. Once they get to know one an other I'm sure they will be sitting and sleeping next to each other.

good luck

[Sally]

Tish Please don't feel like a failure, we have all made similar mistakes, many of them much worse than yours. With Societies, it is not as big a deal as with other species. As Debbie has said, give them some time.

[Shannylee]

Tish, my Society cage mates do the same thing to each other even though they have been together for a while. They don't bicker but sing in each other's faces. I just picture the guy rolling his eyes and flying to another perch to get away from that nonsense. Societies are sweet to each other. You may see an occasional peck or beak duel but then they will all cuddle up together. Your male might be a little put out about having to share his harem and territory but he'll get used to it.

[Tish]

I hope so, because it will be a bummer to split them up. Should I still rearrange their cage or leave them be? I don't want to cause stress if I can avoid it.

[debbie276]

Personally I would leave them be for a couple more days and then maybe switch things around if you still need to. Society's are usually very happy go lucky all those changes aren't necessary.

[lovezebs]

Tish

I'd add some new things into the cage, to take their minds off each other.
Some swings, some new greenery, some new branches, a mirror....

I think you will find, that they will all go and check out the new stuff and forget about their silly displaying.

Part of the problem (I think), is that there were more new kids than original kids (and the new ones probably all knew each other from wherever they came from).
Usually it's the newbies who get 'the treatment' when they come into a new community. In your case however, the situation was reversed.

[Barbara]

Tish when I add new birds to my flight cages,they are very big,I agree with you would be hard to catch,also to much stress on me and especially the birds,I make sure there are at least one more dish of food and water and sometimes move perches around if possible before puting new birds in,maybe you could move things around a little and make sure there are a few more dishes where you added 4 more,also make sure you have enough perches at the same level.I also hang fake greenery around perches and pull from top and side of cage to give them there little privacy spots if they want to get away from one another,hang in there I am sure they will get use to one another soon

[Tish]

I'll move some things around tomorrow. I added more food and water dishes already. If things don't work out, I plan to buy another flight cage and move my original 2 into it. So here's hoping things work out.

[Stuart whiting]

Tish

Hi Tish,

Hopefully you've gained a bit of info in wandering what to do, personally if there constantly squabbling I'd do the easy option and place yer original first pair in a separate cage, it makes sence

Incidentally if yer gonna buy a large cage always remember that there's gonna most probably be a time when you may need to catch em back up again IE clipping their nails etc,

With this in mind make sure you purchase a cage that has very easy access and would make life an awful lot easier when it comes to catching birds up,

There's a lot of very badly designed cages out there on the market and you really need to spend some time and have a good look

This is one of the reasons why I custom build all of me cages in me birdroom