Lovebirds issues

[jmariami]

So I had 14 lovebirds, 10 adults and 4- 1-2months old.. Now I'm down to 10 adults again. Someone please explain to me why the big lovebirds kill the youngsters to death except the parents because I see them following their babies.. This just saddens me.. Is it a territory thing?

[marie83]

Probably. Either don't breed them or seperate them into pairs. I've heard lovebirds can be really aggressive towards others that are not their mate so the same would probably apply to newcomers to a flock that already get on- including babies.

[laducockatiel]

Probably. Either don't breed them or seperate them into pairs. I've heard lovebirds can be really aggressive towards others that are not their mate so the same would probably apply to newcomers to a flock that already get on- including babies.

Yeah, I heard the same.

[liz]

Some times they cull their flock if there is not enough room.

It is odd because cockatiels take care of each others young.

[marie83]

I don't think it's odd, just a difference in species and natural habitat means they have to survive in different ways. Survival of the fittest I'm afraid and that is not always pleasant. Good example with cats, male lions will fight to take over a pride. If the outsider wins he will come in and kill any existing cubs then mate with the lioness. The logic of this being if he has won the fight for the pride then he is the stronger, fitter male and the most able to pass on good genes to ensure survival so why would he want the lioness wasting time raising cubs with inferior genes when he could produce stronger cubs? Yet other cats such as tigers, jaguars and panthers live completely differently.
Obviously birds are not the same as lions in any way but the same survival of the fittest strategy applies so if they behave in a certain way than you can be sure evolution has made them that way with good reason. Some will work together and others will not.

[liz]

How big an aviary do you have for them?