Separating a bonded pair?

[emb12385]

This may be a silly question, but I can't find a direct answer. Once a pair is bonded, can you separate them and pair the male with another female? Is this stressful for the birds?

[debbie276]

It can be done but may take a while before they accept another mate.

[ac12]

What species?

It depends how and when you separate them.

I separate mine after they finish breeding, so they are mating for 4 month, and separated 8 months in male or female community cages. If I want to pair them up with different mates the next breeding season, the 8 month separation is long enough to break the bond.

If however you change mate during the breeding, say 2 clutches with one mate and then switch to a different mate, then you might have a bonding problem with the new mate. I've seen where the bird in the breeding cage treats the nest has his/hers, and does not want the new bird to come near the nest. Others start to court the new bird immediately.

[rancho2]

I separated my silver boy from his mate and he's been happy dancing in no time with a different girl. when I first got him he had 2 females, 2 clutches going on.

[emb12385]

Thanks everyone. I separated my pair of zebs and am attempting to pair the male with a new female, but he freaked out a bit when I first removed his mate from the cage. He seems to be coexisting fine with his new pairing, but we shall see!

[ac12]

I've had zebra do the whole range
- immediately court the new bird and mate within an hour of putting in the new bird
- The remaining bird (hen) attacked the new bird (male) as a trespasser in HER CAGE. I had to separate them with a wire divider for a few weeks, so she could see the male but not attack him. In the beginning she would try to attack him through the wire divider. After that "see but can't touch" separation time, the hen finally calmed down and accepted the new male as a mate.

I've also seen where the remaining bird will constantly look for and call to his/her mate, ignoring his/her new mate.

[Jamm972]

Do you think this applies to any species of captive birds ?

I'm currently breeding canaries and have a paired up canary that has done 2 clutches and the male is wanting to go for more. But I don't want the hen to be any more stressed then she already is because she already had 2 unsuccessful attempts and now has has 2 successful attempts adding up to 4 clutches.

If the male is still wanting to go at it I want him to put the pressure on another hen rather than my favorite hen.

My main fair was that they bonded as well.

the pair I am referring to has been together sense I purchased them 4 months ago. I haven't separated yet.

[ac12]

Jamm
All you can do is try, then see what happens.

[Jamm972]

thanks ac12 will do. I think I will try that once I have these 3 babies weaned and into their communal flight cage