fighting male Eclectuses

[River]

Hello,
I am an owner of two male Eclectuses. When they were younger, they really liked each other. They even shared one cage. Right now they both are 8 years old and ready to kill each other everyday when they both are with me or with my husband. They also fight when I let them out to play outside their cages by themselves, but not as often as they are doing it when we are around.
At this point I have no idea what I should do. I worry that these fights might cause serious injuries to them. I was bitten many times when I am trying to pull them apart. So I know it is not a game for them, they indeed want to hurt each other. If anyone had similar situation, I would really appreciate any advice.

 

[weco]

Hormonal males fighting for top stud status.....solution.....change out of cage time to individual, make sure their cages are sufficiently separated & be sure to give each the same amount & type of one-on-one time, if they will be in view of each other.

They are probably fighting over you and/or your husband.....

That's if you plan on keeping both of them. Their aggression could change in the future or it could appear to change, until something sets on or the other off & tragedy happens.

 

[aliray]

I agree. keep them apart each in thier own cage and only take one out at a time. Better to be safe than sorry

 

[wwendy104]

Yup seperation is the only way. This much be the time of the year for massive hormones! Lots of things can set it off so Im told.

 

[weco]

Wendy, I tend to do quick reads of articles & I initially read yours as 'passive hormones' and I did a quick about-face, thinking "huh...passive hormones in two young males coming out of puberty." Glad I went back & re-read it.....may have skewed my impression of your future posts.....

 

[wwendy104]

Haha well I am so glad you re read it then

 

[River]

How presence of female Eclectus might change the situation?

We try to take them out separately. However, if they do not see each other or one of them is in the cage, the one who feels left out starts to scream. The only solution is to watch movies with them in complete darkness, so they are half a sleep. I really hope it is a phase.

 

[MikeyTN]

Keep them in separate cages for one. You don't have to take them out separate, since there's two of you, one for each! Then you can trade birds. Have two play stands if you want them to play on their play stand. Now if you allow them to fly and they start to fly to each other to attack, then you have no choice but to bring them out separately.

By bringing in a female will only worsen the situation!!!! Look at the amount of birds we have, I deal with this everyday.....

 

[lene1949]

How presence of female Eclectus might change the situation?

We try to take them out separately. However, if they do not see each other or one of them is in the cage, the one who feels left out starts to scream. The only solution is to watch movies with them in complete darkness, so they are half a sleep. I really hope it is a phase.

A female will only make the situation worse... In the wild a male eclectus service several females... Never the other way around...