Fighting Owls

queenb · Post by **queenb** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 12:50 pm

I have a pair of young owls...they had been in a cage together (hoping to have them breed) for four months, they built their nest, life was good. Then he wanted to mate...she was not receptive and has become very aggressive, chasing him pulling feathers, etc...in fact, I came home..she looked stunned and she had blood where her beak meets her feathers. I separated them, and then put them in the aviary with the rest of the flock......she is still chasing him! I read that females sexually mature later than the males...but why would she be aggressive towards him? Any advice? Is there hope for this pair?

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:12 pm

How old is the pair? Personally, I wouldn't try breeding them until they are at least 9 months of age or preferably a year. Too young of age and the hen could get egg bound.

Post by **Sally** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:09 am

That aggression surprises me. My pair of Owls were young when I purchased them, the breeder told me to wait till about November before breeding them, and I had no problems with aggression at all. They did live in a breeding cage for some months without a nest, until they were old enough to breed. I hope someone else can help you.

jamezyboo21 · Post by **jamezyboo21** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 11:46 pm

Wow thats crazy i want to get a pair of owl finches i hope they dont fight like that. i hope they straighten there acts up and pair up. i wouldnt know what to do either except seperate them but keep their cages near each other. i hope someone can give you a good idea on what to do. my zebra finches were doing that to each other and there was a little blood here and there but its been a while and no fighting.

queenb · Post by **queenb** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 1:57 pm

Well, I gave up on them breeding....(I did read females sexually mature later than males-there may be hope, they are only a year old)....and put them in the aviary with the others so they would have more room. She is still chasing and pecking at him, even when he perches to eat.... although they do sleep together...crazy birds!

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 2:35 pm

Gosh...I am sorry to hear you are having trouble with your Owls. I guess they don't just get along sometimes for whatever reason. I am thankful mine already had a clutch together so I know they are bonded.

Maybe your female just wanted to pick her own mate and doesn't like the one she got!