Cockatiel Squabble

[FoxersArtist]

Not long ago we decided to split up the two pair of cockatiels we had been housing all together for years. We decided this would be best as I had recently noticed that Cooper (female) had a bald spot on the nape of her neck, obviously from another bird plucking her. Also, our male, GingerAle had a similarly bald spot on his chest. Someone was getting aggressive and I wanted to split them up to see who was causing trouble.

I suspected the trouble maker was Ash, our whiteface pearl male who is mated to Cooper. At first I seperated them into pairs, but Cooper's bald spot didn't improve, causing me to further believe that it was Ash. GingerAle's bald spot did seem to improve. I decided it might be best to house the girls in one cage and the boys in another to get Ash away from Cooper. This morning, Andy noticed gingerAle chasing Ash around the cage floor, aggressively trying to peck him. He managed to nip one of Ashes blood feathers and when we saw them both covered in blood and Ash being chased, we thought they must be having a horrible fight. Thankfully, I think it was only a blood feather.

It's amazing how much their attitudes toward one another have changed in such a short period of time, since they had previously been housed together with no problems. Do you think this attitude change occured because Gingerale is without his hen? Ash had always been the most dominant one of the bunch when they were housed together. Either way, I put Luke (female) and GingerAle back together as a pair and have been keeping Ash and Cooper seperate to see if Cooper's bald spot will improve. Does anyone have experience with mates plucking each other? I would like for the pair to still have some time together, but obviously I can't have my sweet Cooper losing her feathers over it. At the same time, I can't have the boys together any longer, as Ash might not be so lucky next time. Any advice would be great.
-Anna

[Anne-Samantha's Mom]

yes I think you have a real problem here...however, you were answered on the other line...I sure hope that cooper doesnt lose any more feathers poor tykey...sounds like separation is the only way to go ...to me anyway.

[too&me]

They may settle down again after the end of February. Hormones should die down to a dull roar.

[Patty, Linus and Co.]

I have a similar problem I have had 2 males teils housed togethter for about 12 years. Tinky is plucking DeeDee, and himself to a much lesser degree. I took them to the vet just to be sure there were no medical causes (like giardia), and we decided that we can't house these two apart. When they took Tinky away to have blood drawn, both were hysterical. They eventually had to give Tinky fluids because of the trauma of it all. So I'm trying to deal with behavioral issues. No luck so far but they sure do love each other. You always hurt the one you love...(okay, that was corny)

[FoxersArtist]

I decided for now to put the suspected plucker (ash) in his own cage and both girls (cooper & luke...i know the names are confusing) with the other male (gingerale) and we'll see how that works out. So far the pair are hanging together anc cooper is minding her manners by herself. I'll keep checking the feather growth on her head to see if she grows her hairdo back. I hate plucking issues.
-Anna