Pairing birds together

[schilman63]

I posted yesterday about a mother finch I had that was sick, she died yesterday and I was wondering about the father bird. I also have 2 male finches that are offspring of my mother and father birds. I also now have 2 babies in the nest that are about 2 weeks old. My question is should I get another bird for my father bird since he is kind of odd man out now without a mate. The two male offspring have bonded together and I assume the two new babies will. I wasn't for sure what I should do. he has been very busy taking care of the baby birds and they are doing ok. Any advise would be great thanks!!!!!!

[lovemyfinch]

The same thing happened to me with my first clutch of zebras, except I had the father pass on. (We believe it was suicide, he flew into the window of the door to the house-I guess he wasn't ready for kids ) I let the mother raise her babies and after they were weaned I introduced her to her new mate. This way he wasn't able to disturb her while she took care of the little ones. She is now busy with her mate raising-to date- four new little ones. Hope this helps.

[Finch Fry]

DEFINITELY do not introduce a new mate until after the babies are weened. A new mate will certainly lead to the death of the unweened babies as the father will neglect them by either thinking she is hostile and will attack her or will become interested in her and not his chicks.

As soon as the babies are weened and off in a separate cage with the other kids, you should consider putting in a new mate for the male.

Trust me, the male is keeping busy with the kids to be too worried about the loss of his mate.