How many hens?

[Littlemissfinch]

I have a cage that is L30" W18" H30". i want to put in 4 hens, but i keep seeing the rule of "1 or 3 pairs". But that applies to breeding pairs right? I cant find any information regarding just hens.

Thanks

[debbie276]

What type of hens may make a difference. 3 pairs would be 6 birds so if the hens will get along together I don't see why you couldn't put 4 in that size cage.

[Sally]

I agree with Debbie, it may depend on the species, but normally I wouldn't have a problem putting 4 hens in that size cage. When you have pairs, then you get into the territorial issues, and so you need much more room.

[Littlemissfinch]

At the moment i just have 1 zebra hen in the cage. she lost her friend recently and so i was thinking about getting 3 more hens at a total of 4. do you think they will still be aggressive even though they wont be breeding? not a big fincher anymore so i just want a cute little group of girls

[ac12]

Zebras can be VERY aggressive.
And my hens seem to be worse than my males.
The hens will pair up FF and FF. And they might all cozy up and be peaceful, or there could be one or more dominate/aggressive birds in the bunch. So just be prepared that you may have to separate them. To me pairing or grouping zebras is a crap shoot. You don't know what the dynamics of the birds will be until you put them together.

[Littlemissfinch]

i really hope i would not have to separate them. :/