Help! My females are not getting along.

[kaykoe]

We just recently purchased two pair of finches. They are housed in a Medium Vision Cage. One of the females was terrorizing the other female. After searching numerous forums, it appeared the recommendation was to add a third pair. So we purchased a third pair, they appear to be slightly younger than the first two pair.
This morning two of the original females were completely terrorizing the younger pair (throwing them arround by their tail feathers).
We have taken the two original females and separated them from the cage.
What should we do now? Is it possible to wait a little while and reaquaint the two original females in the cage in hopes they will get along?

[lovemyfinch]

First welcome to the forum
I am going to have to assume that the cage is too small for six birds. Do you have the measurements>?
If you look over in the Finch Information Center, on the left of the screen...under housing you will find a link to see just how many finches you should actually have in the cage.

[kaykoe]

Thank you for the welcome.
I have really fallen in love with these birds.
I see that my cage is very small for their needs.
My husband and I will need to look into purchasing a cage large enough for them all to live happily (ever after)

[L in Ontario]

Welcome to the Finch Forum. We'd love to see pics of your fids when you get a chance to post a few. Hope you enjoy this forum as much as we do!

[kaykoe]

Thanks again for another welcome.
I am looking forward to many years of happiness with my birds and it is comforting to know that you are all out there willing to help.

[Ursula]

Welcome to another member from GA!

(I love the last line in your signature... )

[ikhom]

I have two Large Vision cages L01 and L02 (29,5" width) and I can say that they good only for one pair, or I can have 3 juveniles in them. Medium cages even smaller and actually not suitable even for one pair of finches. They are more suitable for budgies than finches.

[kaykoe]

wow, these last few days have been crazy.
i had 2 pair Zebras years ago and they did great in a cage this size.
i will have to say i must have had a lot of luck.

we have tried a couple different ways. males in one, females in the other. no luck. everyone just hates each other.

i have really stressed these poor things.
i am working on putting each pair in its own cage for now.

one of my fawns who is mostly white was fine with everything now he is acting like a female. he has a red beak. i just wanted the calm they always brought me.
i am not even sure at this point whether i want to invest in a huge cage if they just dont like each other. i hear more fighting and hissing so i need to catch that last pair.

again thanks for the help and i am sure i will be asking more as time goes by and i try and find a solution to this mess.

[L in Ontario]

Sorry to hear of your frustrations with the Zebras. If you have a nest (or nesting material) in there - I think it should be removed asap. That would definitely get them all riled up.

Do you have any photos of them and/or their set up?

[kaykoe]

ok, i have removed the nests from the cage where the two pair are still together.

why did i do that? will they get along better if they dont have nests?

thanks

[L in Ontario]

Oh yes - nests only encourage breeding (aggressive) behaviour (a lot)!

Finches do not need nests to be happy - they sure look cute peeking out of the nests but nests lead to breeding and aggression as you've seen first hand. Finches will happily sleep on a perch.

Also be sure to remove any extra nesting material that may be laying inside the cage.

If there is still any aggression today - move every bird into a different cage and rearrange the inside of this cage - so it looks very different to them and then move them back in. HTH

[L in Ontario]

If you want the Zebras to breed - then just one pair per cage. Otherwise they will fight over the females and nests and between themselves. Zebra finches are delightful but pushy. The more you add - the pushier they get.

[kaykoe]

ok, took out the nests. but the bird tossing continued.
i think this one female thinks it might become an olympic sport. she is sooo agressive.

every pair is in their own cage. The cages are too small but one problem at a time.

they are all in the family room and the sound is pleasant and sweet.
the males are all singing and the females are peeping and i am finally relaxed.

ok, now tell me what size cage i need for this bunch or should i just keep them all apart. might be smart for my sanity.

you have all been great - glad i found this forum.

[ac12]

I find my zebra hens are worse than my males.
They can get REALLY aggressive.
I had one pair pluck a hen to death.

They are OK in pairs but when I put 2 pairs together the aggression starts. I was at a point that I had only one pair per cage, or half cage. I will be consolidating cages soon so they will loose their private pair cages.