What should I do?

[harleybaby]

I was hoping some of you could help me decide what you think what be best. It seems that Rocky my newest tiel and a male has been really bossy to the other tiels. I have seen him chasing around Gretchen and last night was dominating the food bowls including Harley who I ev entually moved to another one but then he was chasing Gretchen off of hers. Mickey was Harley's boyfriend and guardian so to speak. Although, in the last week or so she has warmed up to Rocky a lot and he has been courting her and she has seemed somewhat receptive, maybe she knew Mickey was sick?:confused: .

Disinfecting their room, buying new perches, taking dowm their play area and toys until the necrposy comes back, I know it's stressful on them already because not only Mickey is gone but their whole environment has changed also. Anywys I was thinking of buying another cage and seperating Rocky from the rest of them but I don't want to do anything tht is going to stress them anymore. Do you think it would be better to seperate him and keep him from trying to dominate them or let them work through it anad remain as a flock? Thanks! Leah

[Shirley]

Hi Leah,

I take it you have more than one male sharing a flight cage with a female. That's not gonna work.

You'll have to cage them separately. I can get away with that if I have *pairs* of Gouldian finches or any situation with Society finches, but can't do with canaries, Bourke's, parrotlets, etc. They gotta be separated, unless perhaps your flight is SO large and your feeding stations are SO far apart... but that would require a large room or an outdoor aviary.

Sorry...

Now, has anyone else had a different success story...??

[harleybaby]

well, Rocky is the only male now the rest are females. Up until last week I thought Mickey was the only male until Rocky started courting and dancing and singing for Harley. I think I'm just gonna get another cage and keep Rocky and Squirt in it together since they seem to be getting along so well and making romantic gestures at each other. They'll all still be able to share the same play area. Thanks Shirley!

[birdnerd]

I've never kept multiple males in one place, but when Freebie starts being a turkey and hogging the bowl, I put him on the cage and close it so Lockheed can eat in peace.