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Post by fragile on Sept 6, 2009 7:53:44 GMT
Hi Guys Started a new Avery last week, 9 foot long 9 foot high and 3 foot wide, 5 nesting box's Purchased 1 pair black cheek zeb's ( white female ) 1 pair standard zeb's ( white female ) Yesterday 1 pair canary's when i put the Zeb's in the Avery all was fine, but the standard male looked below par and sat on the floor, the other 3 all sat together, after a few hours all 4 were sat together, all looking rosey. The following day the two white females were cuddling up with the standard male ( one that was below par ) sitting near them, the black cheek male was up the other end of the Avery on he's own. Over the next couple of days, it has been noticed that The black cheek female ( all white ) chased the black check male around and some feathers from the back of his neck are missing. Now all 3 zeb's are chasing him around, not all the time but enough to worry me The black cheek female ( all white ) still seems to be the ring leader The two white females sleep in the nest box with the standard male sleeping on the edge of the box, Black cheek sleeps anywhere. I was wondering have i got 3 aggressive finches or is there some thing wrong with the male black cheek that the other can sense. If i was to remove the male black cheek would that stop the bulling or just move it on to the next bird, if i was to remove the female Black cheek ( all white ) would the other carry on bulling him. Any advise welcome Fragile
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Post by Sal on Sept 6, 2009 10:47:30 GMT
hi fragle, i dont know much about finches themselves but i can give some general tips until a finch expert comes online ;D
first thing about owning new birds is that it is recommended to have a 30 day quarantine period. Then if any of the birds have an illness, they do not pass on to the rest of the aviary.
regarding the above bullying, we can rule out possessive behaviour over a nestbox seeing as there are 5 lol. Maybe you could try housing the two pairs in a cage each within the aviary for a week or so to see if they get used to each other without fighting?
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Post by annie on Sept 6, 2009 20:57:27 GMT
I would say the little fella not well and should be placed in a cage quietly on his own until looking fit again as they will continue to attack a sick bird especially if blood is drawn as its protein for them. You need to check if he is going light by feeling for a protruding chest bone, if he is they normally dont make it but all i can suggest you do is keep him quiet, supply egg food along with his normal seed and add vitamins to his drinking water, i use haliborange(childrens omega3 syrup) Nest boxes are never an issue with zebras as they are often found sharing a box by choice and will nest in just about anything. Lastly you could return the bird to whoever you bought it from as any breeder would be aware of each and every birds heath before selling and will probably have known they were selling you a sick bird. I have purchased birds in the past who turned out to be sick on arrival and although ive always kept them and have been lucky enough not to lose any ive always let the seller know im not impressed. Good luck with your zebs they are lovely little birds who will give you hours of amusement, another nice bird to keep with your zebs and canaries are bengalise finches which make excellent foster parents should any be needed
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Post by Sal on Sept 7, 2009 0:14:11 GMT
thank you annie ;D **bows with respect at the finch expert**
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Post by annie on Sept 7, 2009 6:37:10 GMT
lol sal im far from it only been keeping my own birds for a year and a half. Before that i was ALLOWED to clean my ex's mixed avairy and picked up a few tips
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Post by Sal on Sept 7, 2009 11:01:25 GMT
hehe ok well compared to me you are an expert - the closest i get is looking at other peoples pictures lol.
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Post by annie on Sept 7, 2009 11:07:56 GMT
talking of pictures i need to get I disagree in gear and show off my clan
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Post by fragile on Sept 7, 2009 18:31:10 GMT
Thanks for the advise, However Not knowing what to do on sunday i caught up the female black cheek, the one that seemed most aggressive, and put her in a cage isolated from the others, within 3 hours peace had returned to the avery , with the other 3 finches all sitting together and and looking happier and no aggression towards the male black cheek. the pair of normal zeb's have paired up and are constantly preening each other, and seem quite happy for the lone male to sit with them. I have been told to keep the female isolated for two weeks then try to re introduce her and all should be ok, does this sound right Thanks Fragile
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Post by Berserka on Sept 7, 2009 21:27:08 GMT
They could pick on her. The male that is not paired to the others I would suggest putting him in with the female. Bonding time is important with all birds. See how she treats the male, sometimes they take feathers from themselves and/or their mates to line a nest so unless you see blood being drawn don't concern yourself too much.
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Post by annie on Sept 7, 2009 21:41:40 GMT
glad to hear alls good and the little fella not sick afterall. I have a canary cock in solitary at the moment in the hope that he calms down when i reintroduce him but im not holding my breath as he's been a swine since day one but is so very pretty and an excellent father, and pairing him up is no problem as the ladies love him lol perhaps be worth putting mrs attitude and the black cheek male in a double breeder seperated by small mesh so they can get used to each other and pair up without her being able to harm him as my concern is that once you let her out she may well go straight back to her old tricks which is what im thinking my canary will do too
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