Finch Nest Question

[FeatherHarp]

I had posted earlier that I am wanting to get some Owl Finches as my first Finches but in a few days I will be getting two male Zebra finches (my very first Finches!!....Woo Hoo!!)

Insert in your mind a picture of a 55 year old lady cartwheeling....well....maybe not!! Only in my mind...lol

I figure this will be a good way to ease into becoming a Finch owner by starting out with some hardy Zebra's to see if I do a good job before committing to more $$ on Owls.

So here is my question:

I know Finches don't have to have nests to sleep in but was wondering being that they are both males....would it be ok to provide a sleeping nest for them or would they fight over it?
The males are brothers.

[blakbyrd]

I do not have or plan to keep Zebras myself, however if they are as social as the societies, I would think it wouldnt pose any problem. Although I think I have read that Zebras can get a little pushy during breeding season. I am not sure if even without a female present if this natural instinct would kick in or not, in which case during normal breeding season I supose they might get pushy. However, I have also read that in captivity, zebras may mate at any time of the year, so I really don't know.

Currently my societies (2 male, 2 female) are all sharing one nest. They have filled it up with nesting material and like to all sleep in it together. No mating as of yet has occured, but all 4 love to stay together. Before I put the nest in, they loved to bunddle up together anyways. The other nests are being ignored by my other birds, except for my European Goldfinches who seem to enjoy sitting on top of the society's nest. They dont bother each other though and tend to ignore each other.

Only question I have though, is where ae you getting your Zebras? If it's from a local petstore, do you know for sure that you will be getting 2 males? or are you confident in being able to distinguish them yourself at the petstore?

Just asking, as I have read stories of such and people finding out that they got a male and female, when they were wanting 2 of the same sex.

[EmilyHurd]

Zebras are actually really easy to sex early on. The males start to get the black breast bar when their beak is still black. So by the time their beak is orange, you should know for sure the sex.

Two males, especially brothers, will get along just fine, as long as you don't introduce any females. If you do decide you want to get a female, just make sure you get two, and then I would seperate each pair into their own cage, unless it is a very large cage...

I currently have two pairs of zebras in an aviary that is quite large and they each do their own thing. The boys are related, father and son, and the girls are not related to either. Anyway, each pair is nesting in their own nest boxes and their is minimal fighting, just a little chasing around the flight. No feather plucking or hurting each other. Zebras can be aggressive, it just depends.

I also have a half CFW/Split to silver black cheek male zebra finch in my huge aviary with all my other species. However, he is the only zebra in that aviary, and he is a baby from one of my previous clutches that I fell in love with and had to keep He cuddles up with my male owl finch (only one owl finch is this bunch also). He doesn't fight with anyone, and I think part of it is that I put him in their when half of his beak was still black, so at about 5 weeks old. So he has learned to get along with everyone else.

[FeatherHarp]

Only question I have though, is where are you getting your Zebras? If it's from a local pet store, do you know for sure that you will be getting 2 males? or are you confident in being able to distinguish them yourself at the pet store?

I am getting them from a breeder....not a Pet Store and he knows his birds. Zebras are easier to tell apart like Emily menitoned...so I am hopeful I will have 2 males.

I will put in two nests so they can each have their own if they so choose...good idea!

Thanks for the advice....I will post pics when I get them settled in.