{"id":11923,"date":"2024-09-21T09:15:32","date_gmt":"2024-09-21T09:15:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wwbirds.co.za\/dir\/?p=11923"},"modified":"2025-08-26T12:43:05","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T12:43:05","slug":"breeding-zebra-finches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wwbirds.co.za\/dir\/breeding-zebra-finches\/","title":{"rendered":"Breeding Zebra finches: Feeding, health, housing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Breeding Zebra finches: Over many years the Zebra Finch has had a reputation as a cheap bird, something for everyone to start with who would like to keep birds. It achieved this reputation because it would have to be the easiest bird to breed. No matter how small the cage, a pair would produce a few young.  The Zebra finch is the most prolific breeder of all species of birds.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Breeding<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

A great video about Zebra finch mutations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"All<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Breeding Zebra finches introduction:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We now come to the dedicated Breeder of birds, one who is looking for a challenge.  This is where the true Zebra Finch Breeder comes in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go to any Pet Shop and you can buy a pair of Zebras, but there is no information available about the HISTORY of the birds. Many birds are not pure in colour.  This means that they may be \u201csplit\u201d (have a hidden colour). When you breed young it is possible to have several different colours in the nest. This is not a good way to start your breeding program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within this field a great range of subjects unfold, and it is intended to guide you to achieve success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breeding Zebra finches problems<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although Zebras have strong desires to reproduce, at times they do not breed successfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common problems are pairs that produce infertile eggs or fail to incubate their eggs.  Some will build a nest over their eggs and lay another clutch, and there are those that do not feed their young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A bird\u2019s home environment is very important. Make sure their enclosure is large enough for the birds to feel comfortable raising young or even to perform their courtship display. Be sure the cage and nesting sites are secure, and their environment is quiet, away from disturbances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check that the nests are in protected locations. Provide more nests than required and let the pair pick the one they prefer. The male will lead the female to the nest, and she will decide if the nest is acceptable. Make sure there is enough nesting material for building but once the eggs are laid, remove excess material. This will prevent the eggs from being covered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Zebras fail to breed in captivity the cause may be a poor pair bond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the wild they choose their own mates and ensure that both members of the pair are committed to the union, however in selective breeding we rarely let them choose their own mates \u2013 which sometimes results in an incompatible pair. The solution is to split the pair and give those birds\u2019 different mates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Difficulties sometimes occur when pairing different mutations. A Grey bird may not respond sexually to a bird of the White mutation. Studies have shown that birds prefer and recognise unrelated mates. Of course, there is always a chance that the female does not find the male attractive in some way. There are many reasons why a Zebra might reject a potential mate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to keep a particular mating which has been unsuccessful, perhaps a temporary separation is the answer. This should increase the breeding desire.  Otherwise put the hen with another male.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember to always protect the female\u2019s health when trying to solve a breeding problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Housing your Zebras<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most Newcomers to our hobby arrive home with their first Zebras in a shoe box or a wire Budgie cage, without having given any thought as to how they intend housing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t worry, Zebra\u2019s will live comfortably in a pet cage for a few weeks while you build (or buy) an aviary or a cabinet setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The accommodation you provide for your Zebras is limited only by your finances and the space you have in your backyard. It is your choice whether you want to have a colourful, attractive aviary with a mixed collection of Zebras, or you accept the challenge of trying to breed a Champion or trying some \u201cexperimental\u201d breeding in cabinets. Regardless of how you intend to house your Zebras, there are some basic rules we all should follow:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Face your aviary or cages towards the North or East if possible, so the birds can gain benefit from the morning sun. Likewise, if you are going to set up cabinets in a shed or bird room, face the door (and window if possible) towards the morning sun. Your birds will appreciate the early warmth after a cold night<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Build or place your aviary or cages so that they will remain dry. This is extremely important as most bacteria need moisture to survive. Damp areas in a cage or aviary will make your Zebras sick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. At night birds will be frightened by a moving light or by someone walking through light coming from a window, so when choosing the site of your aviary, take into account the lights from your or your neighbour\u2019s house. Also consider a flash of a car\u2019s headlights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Zebras prefer a warm, draft free environment, so choose a site where the aviary will receive a reasonable amount of sun. Also consider the chilling winds. Some form of protection from must be provided or your Zebras may not survive the cold weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Another problem to be considered is preventing \u201cmice\u201d from entering your aviary or shed. To achieve this, you must have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

a)   A suitable rat wall included in your foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

b)   Use 6mm or smaller wire mesh all over including all roof wire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

c)   Make sure the gap between the door and outer frame is no larger than 6mm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. It is essential not to have areas where vermin (cockroaches) can breed. Spaces between the ceiling and roof of the aviary are ideal breeding ground. Seal all these area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Last but not least, if you intend using a metal roofed aviary or shed, think of the discomfort your birds will experience in extreme hot and cold weather, and fit some plywood sheeting or other suitable insulating material under the roof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breeding Zebra finches Stud By Tim Hartung<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Breeding<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"Breeding<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Breeding Zebra finches: Sick birds<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When any bird looks sick, it is actually REALLY sick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warmth and prompt treatment is needed urgently. A Hospital cage helps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you get a lot of sick birds, take one to a Vet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quarantine a sick bird, so as not to spread the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n