Linnie Fighting =(

[marcelachi]

Hi people!

I'm new to birds, as a child I had a couple of parakeet but was a long, long time ago . Finally I convinced my husband and we got two pairs of linnies, colbalt and green colors. They are with me for one month now, they're still hand scared but they are used to me next to the cage. The cage size is 130x68x44cm and and it looks like they're very comfortable and play with the toys all the time. I put two nests very far one from another. Everything was fine, they we're cleaning each other and sharing meals.
but about 3 days ago one of the blues started to fight with the greens, chasing them but soon stopped. As they we're still taking care of each other and eating together I thought everything was fine and soon it would stop. My dogs do that all the time hahaha. But them this morning I was getting ready to leave to work and when I arrived near the cage I saw a lot o blood and one greeen linnie was with the foot hurt. I took him immediately to the vet, he identified that it was a peck and unfortunately had to amputate the tip of one of his toes . Now he is in a separate cage, is scared but the vet said that he looks fine, the weight is good and he is healthy.
I never, never imagine that one linnie could do this to another. I read a lot, I was searching and reading about birds for more than 6 months beafore chosing a linnie beacause they are supposed to be peacefull. Now I'm scared to put them in the same cage again and I feel that it's my fault and I'm a bad mom =(.
Has anyone been through something like linnie fighting and getting hurt? Will I never be able to put them together again?

 

[cosmolove]

We need a little more information to really know what's going on. Do you know if your birds are male or female? Why did you put in nests, are you trying to breed?

To me it sounds like some territorial behavior going on which is likely revolving around breeding. Its not uncommon for multiple birds to pair off and pick on each other.

 

[marcelachi]

We need a little more information to really know what's going on. Do you know if your birds are male or female? Why did you put in nests, are you trying to breed?

To me it sounds like some territorial behavior going on which is likely revolving around breeding. Its not uncommon for multiple birds to pair off and pick on each other.

I have 2 males and 2 females, in my city is very difficult to find linnies and the seller only had adult couples, I didn't want to separate the couples.
The green male was injured, the one who attack I don't know but problably is the blue male.
I don't want to breed but we saw the blue couple mating, so the seller instructed us to place two nests and one far away from the other, that's what we did.

 

[cosmolove]

I have 2 males and 2 females, in my city is very difficult to find linnies and the seller only had adult couples, I didn't want to separate the couples.
The green male was injured, the one who attack I don't know but problably is the blue male.
I don't want to breed but we saw the blue couple mating, so the seller instructed us to place two nests and one far away from the other, that's what we did.

I'd remove the nest boxes, that way you don't encourage breeding. I think having two bonded pairs together is a pretty bad idea honestly. I'd imagine you'll have more injuries like this over time. Have you thought about maybe getting a divided cage like a double flight cage? Then they can be together but still separated so the risk of injury is way down.

I do not have experience with linnie's specifically but based on having the nest boxes there you're really opening the door for breeding behavior which will include being territorial of others.

 

[Dona]

I'm so sorry. I would separate the pairs. Could you successfully put them together at some later time, maybe, but didn't you get your answer already? IMHO, it seems way too risky. An injury that ended in an amputation is horrible.

I have a single Linnie female. I can imagine she could attack another bird to defend her territory or possible nest.

 

[Shezbug]

I really think they need to be separated also for the safety of them all as well as their own mental well being.

I hope the injured bird heals up well and you can find a way to let both pairs have their own special places

 

[marcelachi]

Thank you all for the advice!

Mochi, the injured linnie, is fine now. He is a little scared but is already talking to his partiner in the other cage.
I need to figure out how to split the cage in two parts, my other cage is small for a couple.

 

[fashionfobie]

For bonded pairs you would probably have an easier time in an aviary setting. In a cage there isn't as much room for them to get away from each other or set up their personal boundaries.

They may still be able to interact in a common play area away from their cages. Territorial disputes do not mean the birds can't socialise in other ways.

 

[Lady Jane]

Having a nest or nesting material present and available actually stimulates hormone production and this in turn can change the behavior of a bird. I think the nest are the cause of this bickering. Like others wrote please remove the nesting material. How old are the birds and were they all together before you got them?