How many and what breeds are good?

[busymom]

I currently have 2 female society. I am getting a new and much larger cage (30x30x20 or close to that) as I wish to get some more finches. I would like to get 2 owl and 2 Lady G. Possibly 2 zebra. This would be 8 total. I don't necessarily want breeding, so don't much care if the newer ones are all males. My concerns are: Will the newer ones nest together if both are males? Will cross-breeding happen? Do these finches all get along well (most are passive, with zebras being the most aggressive of the ones I am considering). I would need to order the Lady G and Owl from same place (I think?) so they arrive at same time to all go into new enclosure together, right? They will all be housed indoors in about 65-80 degree room. Sorry if this is long, but I am new to this! Thanks!

[Sally]

busymom A lot depends on the size of the cage. The cage calculator says either 2 or 3 to 4, depending on whether the 20 is a width or height measurement. Of course, those calculations are for breeding pairs, so if you don't have breeding pairs, you can sometimes push the numbers, as long as the cage allows for all the birds to get along.

Personally, I'd stick with the 2 Societies, 2 Owls, and 2 Lady Gouldians. Adding 2 Zebras to the mix in that size cage is probably asking for trouble, since the Zebras tend to be pushy and will want more of the cage for themselves, and 8 birds in that size cage would be overcrowding it. The others should get along, especially if you have all one sex, i.e. all female cage. The nice thing about an all-female cage is that you don't have to worry about breeding, cross-breeding, nesting, etc. Indoors at those temps will be just fine. You don't necessarily have to order the Owls and Gouldians at the same time, but if you have to ship, it would certainly save on shipping costs. After quarantine, you can add them to the Societies, just rearrange some of the perches, feeders, etc., though you usually don't have any territorial issues with Societies.

Welcome to the forum! There's lots of good reading at http://www.finchinfo.com, where you will find many articles on finch care. If you put your general location in your profile, it makes it easier for members to answer questions later on.

[busymom]

Thanks Sally! I am considering getting the rest of my finches in males, as they do the best singing. And I was also thinking of not getting the Zebras and just keeping it at 6! I am going to get some "fake eggs" from Michaels for the females to sit!

[Sally]

Two male Owls and two male Gouldians should be fine with the two female Societies. All are passive.