Fighting zebras.

beccafigs · Post by **beccafigs** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 6:14 pm

I have two male zebras who have gotten along pretty well for most of the time I have had them (4 months now I think). Yesterday the more active of the pair started chasing the other around the cage and has been doing it NON STOP since yesterday afternoon. I'd finally had enough, as the other poor finch was just on the bottom of the cage and was being chased around any time he tried to land on a perch. They'd also kicked about half the litter all over their table from the chasing and fighting. My cage came with a divider and I had never wanted to use it, but I put it in to give the picked on guy a break. They are both pretty quiet and I'm sure unhappy to be in smaller spaces. There were plenty of food and water sources, but the bully had been trying to build a nest and actually was somewhat successful yesterday and I think he was keeping the other one away from his new nest. (I had given them a nest when I got them but they started feather plucking a LOT so I removed it and they were sleeping on a perch next to each other just fine.) I made sure to move the perches so none were higher than another so it wouldn't create a situation where one will try to show his dominance by keeping the other on the lower perches. I figure I will leave them separated until at least tomorrow morning, but I'm unsure of where to go from here. If anyone has any advice I'd appreciate it.

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 9:19 pm

Hi Beccafigs.....I will be interested in what answers are given to your problem....especially since I just got 2 male Zebras and could possibly have the same problem!

Are your males related? Mine are brothers so I don't know if that is good or bad as to whether they will always get along.

Post by **Sally** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 10:36 pm

Sounds like one of your males is going into breeding mode. What is he using to build a nest? There is a good article in the FIC under Housing about reducing aggression. It looks like you will need to keep them separated for a while, at least. I would make sure he has nothing he can use to build a nest, and also put him on an austerity diet for now (no high protein or high fat foods, like egg food, which can stimulate breeding behavior).

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 1:14 am

Yes, make sure they have no nest or anything to use as nesting material. You could get a few "bird pacifiers" (I hate that they call them that), which are those things that have sisal type material sticking out, so they can pull/preen, but the sisal stays in place. Does that make sense? Also rope toys are good. You may want to get a bigger cage, so they each feel like they have their own space. Toys are good... I wouldn't suggest a mirror, as then they may think there are more birds in the cage... and they may try and defend a "fake bird".

You may even try getting a flight (if you can afford it), and then get 4 more finches...

beccafigs · Post by **beccafigs** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 5:03 am

The aggressive male has been trying to build the nest out of ponytail palm pieces. He has tried unsuccessfully to build a nest out of every type of plant I've given them. I have that plant and some organic grass in there for them. I had tried pacifiers in the past (when they were plucking each other) and they never paid attention to them, but I will try it again. They are mostly on pellets, I only give seed and egg food as treats so I will stop with the egg food at least then. I want a bigger cage but can't really afford to do that until after Christmas. I want to build a big one and add a couple birds. I feel so guilty that they are separated and their spaces are so much smaller now, they would fly "laps" constantly when the divider wasn't in but their flying area is now cut in half.

I will go check out the article in the FIC after I post this. I appreciate all the feedback.

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 11:35 am

You could also try taking away any plants they have (grass as well), they can use all that to nest, which may be causing aggression

Post by **Sally** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 11:45 am

I agree with Emily, the plants need to go. In nature, they use grasses and parts of plants to make nests, so that is helping to trigger his nest-building instincts. You can supply greens like romaine, spinach, etc. to them, but I would chop them up into little bits, or else he will use big pieces to try to build a nest.

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 4:20 pm

any type of nest material must be taken out,and all nests you have done right in keeping all the perches the same height even then some birds think one is better than the other and argue over that.if they are both the same sex dont use nests as it only creates fighting as you have found out .even if you have breeding pairs you must always put more nests than pairs as they will fight over the position of the nest in the cage if they prefer that to the other!i think the only way to stop the fighting is take the bully out of the cage and put it in another cage overnight out of sight of the other and take the divider out,then the next day introduce the bully back into the cage he then will have to automatically take the role of the less dominant male and should stop the bullying of the other bird

ken

beccafigs · Post by **beccafigs** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 4:42 pm

Wow I would have never thought of that Ken, thanks. I think I will take your advice on removing the bully. I will also take out the plants.

Hopefully it will end all the bickering.

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 5:11 pm

i have used this tactic before and it has worked for me !so lets hope it does the job

ken

beccafigs · Post by **beccafigs** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 9:30 am

I took Ken's advice and separated them yesterday and overnight. I did change it up a little bit though... I went to Petco to get another cage to put the bully in as I only had a small carrier in addition to the old cage, and they had a major clearance sale! $80 cages were $40, and I got a $60 cage for $12! The cage I got is far more attractive (it's shape, and it's a cream and green color which matches my living room a lot better), more roomy, and it has a deep plastic guard around the bottom, so the litter can't go flying everywhere. $\:D/$ It was such a good deal that when my neighbor/friend wanted to go get some stuff for her fish I bought 2 more.

Anyway, I left the bully in the old cage yesterday and put the one who had been picked on in the new one (with no plants or nesting material). When I woke up this morning it was still dark so I figured that would be the best time to grab the bully and put him in the new cage, so I did. He seems rather subdued right now, but I will be watching him closely. They are huddled up on a perch together right now. In the worst case scenario (if this doesn't stop the fighting), I might just set up another of the new pretty cages and get a hen for each of the boys.

Just no nest since I know zebras are fond of mating and I'm not really interested in breeding them just yet.

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 1:48 pm

BeccaFigs...I am glad to hear of your progress....I am taking notes so If I have that problem I will know just what to do.

Removing the "bully" for a while sounds like such a simple solution...I am going to remember to add that to my bird notes.

I wonder if that would work with my Lovebirds...I have one that is a bit of a bully....and can bite like a snapping turtle!! leather gloves are always in order when handling my Lovies....as I really do like having non-perforated fingers...haha!

Hopefully my Zebra's aren't that bad!!

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 7:04 am

Zebras definitely do not bite like lovebirds...

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:01 am

hi i hope the trial separation works for you.it usually does work when i have done it ,after all as you say you will not lose out because you can always get 2 females and pair them up now..these finches are contagious though

ken

beccafigs · Post by **beccafigs** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 12:19 am

They were doing okay until just a little while ago. One of them is trying to tear apart the pacifier I put in, and he's the one that was the aggressive wanna-be nest builder. I THINK he's the one that is being overly aggressive again, but I can't quite tell. They're getting rather violent this time, not just chasing but hissing and biting.

It happened in about a 5 minute spurt, and by the time I finished typing this they were being normal again. I will keep watching them, and I think I will take out the pacifier.