How to divide...and STOP the plucking!

[Rothe18]

Hello everyone, I`m in desperate need of help. I have two 1 1/2 year old female Java Sparrows, who lived together in the store, and I purchased at the same time. (their names are Pitter and Patter) They were fine for a while, but Pitter has started to go after Patter`s feathers. She was plucking a little bald spot onto Patter`s neck, but then..disaster. I looked up from my computer one night to see a big blood stain on Patter`s neck...I have no idea what happened...I assumed that Pitter must have yanked a blood feather out. It happened two more times and I finally gave in to the fact that I have to separate them.

My problem is this: they still love to be together, and snuggle together every night while they sleep. What I want to do is divide the existing cage without changing it too much, using a divider that will let them see and sorta lean on each other, but won`t give them the freedom to peck at each other. The cage is a king-sized cockatiel cage.

I need some advice on safe materials to make this divider with. ...I was thinking chicken wire, or something of the sort? Something they can land on without catching their toes dangerously. Can I have some thoughts, as to materials, or if this sort of dividing is a good idea? Thanks!!

[cindy]

It is unusual that the javas pluck, do you have male and female?

If you have a pair, he may be more mature than she and in the breeding mode, she may not.

If same sex it might be a dominance issue, one wanting the highest perch, the only swing a certain seed cup.

I have a long 5 ft flight and several cages with multiple javas, you see a bit of scolding or beak dueling but that is usually the end of it, for the most part they get along.

How do you have the cage set up?

[Rothe18]

If it's not plucking, then Pitter has pecked Patter hard enough to draw blood 3 times But I've seen her go after Patter's feathers, she'll suddenly shoot her little beak out and start yanking.

The cage has plenty of random perches, and some toys, with the heater dividing the back-most, which is always partly covered. They usually snuggle together near it. It's big, rather than wide- I live in Japan and wide cages are very difficult to find. But it's sized for a cockatiel, so I feel it's appropriate.

They bicker over treats rather than the normal food, so treats in 2 places, food and water in one bowl each.

Honestly, they pick at everything from string to paper to my cuticals (which sometimes they get and just YANK and OW) but only Pitter picks at Patter's . feathers. But I don't think it's attack.... more like, ooooh, wassat! GRABPULL. But the bleeding needs to stop.

[cindy]

I handfed a clutch out, they do like to pull at things like your skin, cuticles, nails, a freckle!! The adults work like crazy on anything like a paper corner, a paper plate with treats on it....they try to move the small plate into a box....they love to nest, collect things.

I do see a bit of beak poking but nothing to serious. Your cage sounds big enough and you give them lots of options. They are rather intelligent and inquisitive. If separated they do sulk. They love company.

I would watch them, if it gets serious then separate them but they will likely miss each other. The hand feds will even bicker over a bit of seed in my hand, one will take a choice oat and the other will follow him trying to get it even if there are several oats in my hand.

[Jeff McKee]

Try spraying them. If they're preening, they're not pecking. My buddy made up my bottle of spray. It has a couple things in it, including witch hazel. Probably if you search the site here, you'll find some recipes for spraying birds.

[Rothe18]

Does the spraying affect the bird who gets sprayed, preening-wise? And also, nobody seems concerned that Pitter made her bleed 3 times? This isn't cause enough to at the very least divide the cage?

In which case, does anyone know how safe chicken wire is, if smoothed and attached without sharp ends or twists? I think two cages would make them sad, not to mention the stress of getting used to them, but I'm really worried Pitter might do more damage, so I thouht dividing the current cage was a better idea.

[Jeff McKee]

Spraying would make them feel like they needed to clean themselves.

Yes, a bird bleeding is concerning, but there isn't necessarily a happy solution.

Zebras can be difficult. Plucking is a common problem. I remove a bird from a cage when I notice plucking. Generally these birds a less aggressive and when paired with others that have been plucked, are fine cage mates. You might consider selling the bird that does the plucking and replacing him with another bird. The hope would be that the new bird is less territorial. Less concerned with showing its dominance. Birds of any size can be pluckers, but I find the problem to be more chronic with larger birds. (sorta like school yard bullies)

Separating them would resolve the situation. It is also true that birds are social, and like to be with others of their own kind.

I would not use chicken wire, as it is quite fine and they could cut themselves. Rabbit wire would be better. The holes are smaller and the wire is thicker. Many people use solid barriers (wood or cardboard).

Birds fight. Mother Nature did this.