Firstly it is winter here in New Zealand.
I have 4 cockatiels, an older pair and a younger pair. My older birds are mated and bonded, ie preening each other, etc.
My younger 2 are not yet sexually active. However, my older male wants to have his cake and eat it too, as he is obviously
not content to have a wife only, he wants a mistress too. So, although he is mated to my older girl, and they've had 2 unsuccessful clutches, due to inexperience, he is also now wanting to mate the younger girl. They are currently separated, boys in one cage, girls in the other, to try and calm down his raging hormones, as well as getting 14 hours a night, where they are covered, to sleep. The only time all 4 are together is playtime, during the day.
What else can I do? Is it ok to physically stop him, when I hear her cooing, when he has mounted her to mate? Or is it fair to keep her in, when the others are out to play?
I have 4 cockatiels, an older pair and a younger pair. My older birds are mated and bonded, ie preening each other, etc.
My younger 2 are not yet sexually active. However, my older male wants to have his cake and eat it too, as he is obviously
not content to have a wife only, he wants a mistress too. So, although he is mated to my older girl, and they've had 2 unsuccessful clutches, due to inexperience, he is also now wanting to mate the younger girl. They are currently separated, boys in one cage, girls in the other, to try and calm down his raging hormones, as well as getting 14 hours a night, where they are covered, to sleep. The only time all 4 are together is playtime, during the day.
What else can I do? Is it ok to physically stop him, when I hear her cooing, when he has mounted her to mate? Or is it fair to keep her in, when the others are out to play?
