Paired Finches for years, male is fighting female!

Tips for successful breeding and troubleshooting breeding problems.
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yourcharmedlife
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Paired Finches for years, male is fighting female!

Post by yourcharmedlife » Sun Jun 25, 2017 11:16 am

Hi, I have owned two finches for years now, they are bonded. They have had a successful clutch in the past and currently sitting on dummy eggs. They are always grooming each other, sleep near one another and the best couple for years. Until recently. The male is rejecting the female and I have NO IDEA why?? He is chasing her, wont let her eat and makes hissing noises at her. Not sure what to do. Trying to avoid more bird cages, as the one I have is a large one as is. Suggestions? Tips? Makes me sad for the female, he won't stop.
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lovezebs
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Re: Paired Finches for years, male is fighting female!

Post by lovezebs » Sun Jun 25, 2017 11:33 am

yourcharmedlife

It is possible that he wants to breed again, and that she's not interested.
Personally I would take the nest out of there.

Also I would add a bunch of fake greenery ($ store vines, etc.) both for her to get away from him, and also to keep him busy. Create little secluded nooks in the corner of the cage over some of the perches.

Hang spray millet from the dop of the cage, so that he has to do some acrobatics to get to it.

Hang up a mirroe for him.

Offer a foraging box:
Tupperware container

Hay
Some wild grass heads
Some rocks
Small balls of crumpled paper
Dry mealworms
Some seed treats
Dry leaves
Small twigs
Bits of sticks
Dandilion plants, flowers, leaves roots and all
Chick weed
Crushed egg shells

Change things out and offer different things every few days.

Offer two or three seed and water dishes, so they don't have to share.

Offer baths every day

The idea, is to offer him something to do othe than chase her around.

Good luck, and let us know how things are going.
~Elana~

Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~

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yourcharmedlife
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Re: Paired Finches for years, male is fighting female!

Post by yourcharmedlife » Sun Jun 25, 2017 11:42 am

Thank you so much these are all wonderful ideas and going today to pick up some fake shrubs and a mirror for him

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lovezebs
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Re: Paired Finches for years, male is fighting female!

Post by lovezebs » Sun Jun 25, 2017 12:44 pm

yourcharmedlife

Hope all works out :D
~Elana~

Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~

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Re: Paired Finches for years, male is fighting female!

Post by ac12 » Sun Jun 25, 2017 11:25 pm

I have had a M zebra turn on his M buddy, and KILL him.
Zebras have been unpredicatable and frustrating for me to breed and keep, to the point that I gave up, and gave a friend all my zebras.

If you do NOT want them to breed, I suggest separating them. Either into separate cages or divide the existing cage. Maybe if they are separated for a while, he will mellow down. And if he does not mellow down, just KEEP THEM SEPARATED.
Gary

gouldians (GB,YB,BB), blackbelly firefinches (trying to breed), societies (foster parents).
red factor canary

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