"I have a pair of diamond doves that hatched a clutch about 1 week ago. The male has been chasing the female around the last couple of days. There is one chick still living and I know that often times a male wll chase a female to breed again. My problem is he doesn't seem to be mating her but he will pin her down once he's got her cornered and beat the heck out of her. He pulls her feathers and pecks her head real hard. He finally drew blood today so I have separated them. She seems to be fine feeding the chick by herself. Does anyone see any problem with this arrangement? Do ALL male diamonds beat their mates up till they bleed? I've even put stuff in the cage to try to slow him down; but it didn't seem to matter."
"I have one dd chick that is thriving. I had built a bigger cage for them and had to move them into it as I accidentally broke the cage they were in. Everyone is doing fine; however, I had to separate Gem and Dan. Dan was chasing Gem all around the cage, off the nest and away from the food. He'd corner her, pin her down and peck and pull the living daylights out of her. He even drew blood. I was afraid he would attack to the chick and toss it. He had started chasing her in the old cage. I figured when he drew blood and you could hear it when he pecked her head hard, it was time to take him out. Gem and the chick are doing great. She's a very attentive mother. I want to find her another more gentle mate."
- Among other things be sure to check:
1. mineral supply= calcium and fortified salt (trace elements included)[incorrectly called "grit"].
2. a protein boost or fine grained pellets (<1/16 inch size).
[wjm]