Finches Housing question .

[nicolino]

Can anyone explain why it is better to house 3 pairs of birds together rather then two pairs at the same enclosure ?? I'm looking to add a pair to my two pairs of Strawberies . I'm thinking a pair of Stars and or Gouldians. I also have green singers , euro-goldfinches, societies , canaries, spices available that I can pull out of my mixed aviary. Anyone ???

[Sally]

Here is an explanation from the FIC. http://www.finchinfo.com/general/basic_housing.php

"Recall that finches should always be kept at least two to a cage, but that keeping more than 2 birds in a cage may result in the dominant bird(s) of certain species attacking their more submissive cagemates. (In my experience, 6+ birds housed together tend to lose track of each other more easily and as a result lose their ability to single out any one bird as a victim.) Properly accessorizing a spacious cage with perches, visual barriers, and multiple feeding stations may help reduce this aggression."

There are exceptions to every rule, very passive species like Societies can probably be housed 2 pair to a cage.

[Perfex]

I think that the three pair rule is dictated by a single species. Two pairs of the same species might tend to see the other pair as too much competition and the weaker pair is easier target to get bullied and therefore not breed. I'm not very good at explaining sorry. That's why one of each of several species in a mixed aviary works. Less competition, especially if each species holds a different niche in the aviary.

[debbie276]

I agree with Michele, pretty sure that rule is for same species not mixed. Also agree with Sally, exceptions to every rule, I housed 2 pair of gouldians together per cage for years when I first started and had no problems at all.
If your strawberries are getting along fine and you don't have to add more I wouldn't worry about it.