Are pairs . . . for life?

AmandaP. · Post by **AmandaP.** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 4:45 pm

I was wondering in breeding interest, if it is possible to switch zebra finch pairs for certain outcomes amongst the clutch? Or would this be too stressful on the finches?

Thanks.

- AmandaP.
JA&R Aviary

Crystal · Post by **Crystal** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 8:28 pm

I do not believe that zebra finches are strictly monogamous (occasionally one or both birds of the pair may be caught "cheating"). I personally have rearranged pairings and did not have a problem, though it may be least stressful on the birds to only pair them with new mates at the start of each new "breeding season" and let them remain as a pair for 2-3 clutches in a year. Zebras will breed year round, so it may become your responsibility to force the birds to take a break from breeding for a few months out of the year so that the adults can 'recover.'

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 9:59 pm

Thank you, Crystal.

I was thinking of changing a pair every few months? I donno if this is okay. I just thought it would be good for there to be different, more versatile clutch outcomes.

AmandaP. · Post by **AmandaP.** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 10:00 pm

Thank you, Crystal.

I was thinking of changing a pair every few months? I donno if this is okay. I just thought it would be good for there to be different, more versatile clutch outcomes.

Sally H · Post by **Sally H** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 10:13 pm

Sounds like it would be really hard to keep track of the bloodlines. I guess that wouldn't matter if you're not keeping the babies.

AmandaP. · Post by **AmandaP.** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 4:56 pm

Yes. We would probably be selling all the babies, so I don't think bloodlines would be much of an issue, we have a computer that we track all finches born at the aviary, and their parents and lineage history. But is there still not a high recommendation for it?

JeannetteD · Post by **JeannetteD** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 10:20 pm

hi Amanda!

Just my personal preference and opinion..but I wouldn't purposefully mix them around. For a few reasons..

1) From what I've read online they do prefer to stick to one mate, and if separated for a long time and put back together, they will immediately recognize each other as past mates. They form a bond and to take them away from their bonded mate may be stressful on them.

2) Should you mix up the male and have him propegate the species with more than one female, IF by chance he ends up with a genetic problem that is not evident now, you are 'contaminating' your zebra gene pool with this genetic deficiency. I know that you're planning on selling them, but someone may come along and also think about breeding the ones they buy from you. This may cause one long line of defective finches.

Even though zebras are not exactly an endangered species (and probably never will be at the rate these little buggers lay eggs), I can't help but think that the breeding of them should be controlled so that many many many (ad infinitum) may enjoy healthy finches.

Just my opinion...

Jeannette

AmandaP. · Post by **AmandaP.** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 11:29 pm

JeannetteD wrote:
2) Should you mix up the male and have him propegate the species with more than one female, IF by chance he ends up with a genetic problem that is not evident now, you are 'contaminating' your zebra gene pool with this genetic deficiency. I know that you're planning on selling them, but someone may come along and also think about breeding the ones they buy from you. This may cause one long line of defective finches.

I found your information very helpful, and I do appreciate your assistance, which has really re-flipped my mind around. I think your second bit of advice was extremely notable, and it has changed my decision to most likley a 'no'. I would hate to risk contamination amongst the Zebra Finch gene pool, even though I sell my finches mostly as pets, aviary companions and sometimes breeding, depending on the finches genetic quality. Unless a mate passes on, or do not get along, I shall not reconfigure pairs. The stress is also one of my overall concerns and after having my own 'hobby' pairs of finches, I've noticed the huge bond between both cock and hen.

Thank you again, Jeannette!

-Amanda

JeannetteD · Post by **JeannetteD** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 11:02 pm

You're very welcome!

mypen · Post by **mypen** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:13 pm

I had a pair of zebras. A common male with crested mutation and a beautiful white female. There were literally a lovely couple. They produced the best fawn finches I had ever seen.

Then I noticed that she was fooling around with another white male in the same enclosure. Thus George and Harriet had split up. Harriet was all the happier but poor George is stuck without his lover. He has nobody except the other bachelors in the enclosure with him.

I had thought that they stayed for life until I saw this.

Will George and Harriet be back together? Not likely. She now resides with her new lover in a private cage for themselves.

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 3:34 pm

hi
i am sorry but zebras do not mate for life otherwise there would not be all the different mutations in the world that there is.it is quite safe to remove a cock bird after it has reared a family of young and put it with an entirely different colour as the progency always turn out 50%cocks and hens and 50% of whatever colour they are paired with e g if you pair a normal with a fawn you will get 50% fawn and 50%normal half or therabouts will be cocks and the rest will be hens and this usually applies to most zebras unless there is one with a dominant gene ....then thats another story

ken

JeannetteD · Post by **JeannetteD** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 10:02 pm

HAH! I wish it were that simple, Ken..

They're rarely 50% cocks and 50% hen in this household. I have 9 females to 3 males out of 3 clutches. And the genetics are far more complicated than 50/50 that you mentioned.

I have a white male, (as in the White Mutation, no black whatsoever) and a dominant silver female. They've had regular CFW's, what looks to be single factor florida fancies (so far), silver males, a normal grey male, and a pied female. All from the same two birds. These birds are split 7 ways from Sunday.

Jeannette

p.s. the single factor florida fancies mentioned above may turn out ot be silver females, but with the white lacing they have on their wings now, it's looking more like florida fancies.

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 5:53 am

kenhi jeanette
the problem is you cant stop the birds themselve sdipping into the gene pool.i was talking about birds that are not split and that you know the parentage of right back to the original male and female.......should have mentioned that really ...knowing zebras the way i do....sorry