Questions about introducing new birds

zhavener · Post by **zhavener** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 9:17 pm

I have a friend that works at a LPS and they have had 2 male Zebras for over 3 months. He told his manager he knew someone that might want them, Long story short I ended up with 2 new Zebra males today so the LPS could place an order for more birds. I have a large aviary with a pair of zebras and a pair of Gouldians. I know that the Zebras are sitting on eggs and it appears that the gouldians are building a nest but I have been to afraid to check it and scare them. I have the 2 new zebras in a small wire cage at the other end of the room so they can hear the other birds.

What would be the best way to go about introducing the new comers to the group? Wait till possible zebra babies fledge? Gouldians?

JohnBoy · Post by **JohnBoy** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 9:27 pm

My experience is the nesting zebras will not abandon the nest, however I can assure you the nesting male will be chasing the other 2 males. The female may also take part in the chasing. But in a few days they should calm down. However I would not recomment doing that in a small cage.
I have no experience with breeding gouldians.

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 9:37 pm

I would keep them in quarantine and then put them in.Don't think the zebs will stop setting,not sure about gouldians

ac12 · Post by **ac12** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 9:41 pm

Well the new birds "should" go thru 3-4 weeks of quarantine, although now that they are in the same room...probably too late.
The 3-4 weeks in quarantine should make it easier on the zebra pair in the aviary. Although by then from what you said, the gouldians might be on eggs.

What happens also depends on the personality of the new birds, if they are aggressive, social or passive. And as was mentioned, how the current zebras feel about the new birds. I had 4 siblings that were just fine, until I put a new bird in...they chased the new bird w/o mercy.

zhavener · Post by **zhavener** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 9:50 pm

The new zebras are in the small cage for quarantine and on the opposite side of the room, They have been at the store for several months now and show no signs of illness although I still will wait a few weeks before mixing them in with the General Population.

I have about 288 cubic feet of aviary with lots of plants so the new comers should have plenty of space to hide from the dominate male.

cartel · Post by **cartel** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 9:09 am

I would wait till your birds are not nesting.Your zebs are sitting and your gouldians are building or laying ,your not sure because you do n't want to check.Its better if you check the nest instead of two zebra

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Questions about introducing new birds

Questions about introducing new birds

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Re: Questions about introducing new birds

Re: Questions about introducing new birds

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Re: Questions about introducing new birds