FINCHforum

I have Zebra finches and Society Finches. I also have three Javas but I have them in their own cage. I have several huge flight cages so plenty of space for everyone. Here are the questions.......

Should I put Zebra Finches in one cage and Society in another cage?

Should I put males(of each kind) in one cage and females in another?

Should I put my Self Society in a separate cage from my regular society finches?

How many put bands(plastic) to tell male from female with the societies? I have done a couple but last night had to take one off the finch because some how it had slid down. Was a tough job so I dont think I will be putting anymore on them.

Terry From Maryland

terrylt7 wrote: Should I put Zebra Finches in one cage and Society in another cage?

Should I put males(of each kind) in one cage and females in another?

Should I put my Self Society in a separate cage from my regular society finches?

Usually Zebras and societies get along pretty well, but if you plan to let the birds breed it's best to seperate them. The zebra finches can be very aggressive and territorial when breeding. They will sometimes chase other birds around the enclosure relentlessly. But in truth, even when not breeding, they can be pretty fiesty...

I think you'd be fine keeping genders together, but unless you are sure that you want babies, don't add nest baskets or boxes. Societies and Zebs breed rather prolifically!

Also, unless you plan to selectively breed your Self Society, I see no need in seperating him. He'd be lonesome.

Congrats on your birds

I separate my F and M zebras.
This keeps unwanted population explosion from happening. If I want to breed them, I pull them and put them into a separate breeding cage. Also I have young birds that are not yet old enough to breed. In a mixed cage, not having a nest may not stop them from breeding. Mine laid eggs in the feed dish and from the perch (to crash to the cage floor).

I would separate the societies and zebras.
The zebras can be pretty aggressive (depends on the specific bird). I had 2 fledglings that I adopted and had with my societies. I had to remove both of them because they were biting the tail feathers of my societies, and making the tails ratty. The societies were so mild mannered that they would not fight back, so the zebras kept biting their tails.

Also when I put an egg into the societies nest for them to foster, one of the zebras took over the nest and would not let the societies near the nest. That would not do, so out he went.

That has been my experience. Your zebras and societies may get along fine. The behavior of the zebras may change over time, I have one that was very mild and now hisses and chases another zebra. You need to watch your birds and make adjustments as you need to.