About 12 years ago (was it really that long?) a neighbor gave my then 10 year old daughter a male zebra finch. We got a female and enjoyed many years of babies! As time went by my daughter got busy with other things and has now been out of the house for a couple of years. The female died and I kept a couple of their last offspring to keep the "daddy" company with the thought that I would just get rid of them when the daddy died. Well, he lived far longer than typical life expectancy and by the time he finally died. I was too attached to give my finches away to just anybody. After a year or so, one of the brothers died an untimely death, leaving me with just this one little guy. I feel really bad for him and feel he should have a better life and be in the company of other birds. My dream had always been to have an aviary but that never happened. My birds were in regular cages. I was surprised to find this website today with plans on how to make aviaries. However, presently I don't have room in my house for an aviary as my son has moved home with his children and we are living somewhat cramped! I am also very busy and don't have a lot of time to spare.
Anybody have any suggestions for making life better for this little bird? I'll book mark this site and read up all I can to learn what they like and need. Should I just try and find another home for him? Do they need an aviary or flight cage? Should I buy a mate and then get rid of the mated pair? I really am not in a position to start the whole baby thing again.
I just want to do right by him and i just have this thing for birds.
Laura
Please Help!!
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franny
- Weaning
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- Location: Winnipeg, MB. Canada
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Re: Please Help!!
Welcome to the forum. You came to the right place for help. You must have been doing something right, though, to have your zebras for that long! 
I think if you don't want babies, the best thing would be to find him a friend. Maybe another male, so that you don't have to worry about breeding. And depending on the cage size, you would not really need an aviary for one pair of finches, though I'm sure they'd love the room!
Where abouts are you located? There might be someone on the forum who could provide him a good home, with other finches for company. And if he goes to someone here, then he's sure to get a good home, with a keeper well educated in finch keeping!
I think if you don't want babies, the best thing would be to find him a friend. Maybe another male, so that you don't have to worry about breeding. And depending on the cage size, you would not really need an aviary for one pair of finches, though I'm sure they'd love the room!
Where abouts are you located? There might be someone on the forum who could provide him a good home, with other finches for company. And if he goes to someone here, then he's sure to get a good home, with a keeper well educated in finch keeping!
Fran
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1 cat (Lexy) and hopefully soon another pair of Gouldians
My Website: https://www.localcolourart.com/meet-the ... 6b2f58a839
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1 cat (Lexy) and hopefully soon another pair of Gouldians
My Website: https://www.localcolourart.com/meet-the ... 6b2f58a839
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ac12
- Molting
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- Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2009 9:39 pm
- Location: California, SF Bay Area
Re: Please Help!!
What size cage do you have right now.
I would get a 30Lx18Wx18H cage (same size as a breeder cage), or at least a 24Lx16Wx16H (same size as a small breeder cage) if you don't have space for the bigger one. Be careful as most stores sell TALL cages, which do not work for finches. Finches need horizontal flying space.
And get him ONE male zebra as a buddy.
According to the Finch Info Center and my experience, between 2 and 6 can lead to one of them getting picked on. Especially if the cage is crowded, and they don't have their individual space. And 6 finches will need a LOT more space.
Do NOT put a nest in the cage, or you might trigger a breeding behavior that "might" get aggressive.
I would get a 30Lx18Wx18H cage (same size as a breeder cage), or at least a 24Lx16Wx16H (same size as a small breeder cage) if you don't have space for the bigger one. Be careful as most stores sell TALL cages, which do not work for finches. Finches need horizontal flying space.
And get him ONE male zebra as a buddy.
According to the Finch Info Center and my experience, between 2 and 6 can lead to one of them getting picked on. Especially if the cage is crowded, and they don't have their individual space. And 6 finches will need a LOT more space.
Do NOT put a nest in the cage, or you might trigger a breeding behavior that "might" get aggressive.
Gary
gouldians (GB,YB,BB), blackbelly firefinches (trying to breed), societies (foster parents).
red factor canary
gouldians (GB,YB,BB), blackbelly firefinches (trying to breed), societies (foster parents).
red factor canary
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Domenic
- Weaning
- Posts: 1833
- Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2009 9:09 pm
- Location: Reedsburg, WI
Re: Please Help!!
I agree, you shouldn't give him away. Get him a friend! A male society finch or a male zebra finch will be perfect. You mentioned your son has children; I'm not sure how old they are but most kids love finches and I'm sure they'd be willing to help out with the care of them every once in a while.
Let us know what you do with him.
Let us know what you do with him.
Zebra, Orange cheeks, Owls, Gouldians, Blue-Capped Cordon Bleus, Goldbreasts, Black Face Fires, & Button Quail
http://www.Ironsidecomputers.com
http://www.Ironsidecomputers.com
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poohbear
- Weaning
- Posts: 1991
- Joined: Sun Apr 13, 2008 1:33 pm
- Location: Nottinghamshire UK
Re: Please Help!!
Yep...get him a Zebra finch male mate...A few copies of Playbird knocking about...and a crate of Bud. 
24 hour sports channel and a full seed pot...you'll never know they're there.
24 hour sports channel and a full seed pot...you'll never know they're there.
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Laura N
- Pip
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Fri May 21, 2010 3:26 pm
Re: Please Help!!
Many thanks to all of you who replied. Pooh bear, you are a nut!
When the other brother was alive, and after the father died, I tried keeping them in the same cage together but they pecked at each other constantly. So I just put two cages side-by-side touching each other with a perch running through both cages and they would sit as close as they could get.
I think I will first try and find a good home for him and if that doesn't happen then I will get him a buddy and hope they will get along. The cages I have now aren't small but they aren't flight cages. I was thinking if I got or made a cage like ac12 said, a longer - (flight) cage and together with the fact that neither bird would have ever been in it (so there isn't a territorial issue) perhaps they would get along.
At any rate, I'm in the Dallas, TX area so if anyone that really loves their birdies has an aviary/flight cage with room for another finch, pm me! This is a great site and forum. Thanks again for everyone's input.
Laura
When the other brother was alive, and after the father died, I tried keeping them in the same cage together but they pecked at each other constantly. So I just put two cages side-by-side touching each other with a perch running through both cages and they would sit as close as they could get.
I think I will first try and find a good home for him and if that doesn't happen then I will get him a buddy and hope they will get along. The cages I have now aren't small but they aren't flight cages. I was thinking if I got or made a cage like ac12 said, a longer - (flight) cage and together with the fact that neither bird would have ever been in it (so there isn't a territorial issue) perhaps they would get along.
At any rate, I'm in the Dallas, TX area so if anyone that really loves their birdies has an aviary/flight cage with room for another finch, pm me! This is a great site and forum. Thanks again for everyone's input.
Laura