Breeding Problem

pushtoowala · Post by **pushtoowala** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 11:52 am

I am having a big problem with my florida fancies. They are very healthy and I give them everything from eggs to fruits and vegatables. They have plenty of space and I have provided a wicker nest and a nest bow for them. They get along so well that they may mate 2 or 3 times a day. But once the first egg is layed, they eat it for some reason. This has happened countless times and I have tried everything. I don't know what more to do.

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 4:19 pm

Sometimes a finch will get in the habit of eating their own eggs. Perhaps they were not provided with eggfood before you got them or the egg is accidently broken so they are tempted to eat it.

I'm don't know what you can do to stop this habit other than offering them eggfood with shell 24/7.

Good luck.

Sally H · Post by **Sally H** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 6:26 pm

I'm a total novice at breeding finches but I've read some very interesting posts from breeders around the world. This one guy removes the eggs as they're laid until the hen is finished. His reasoning was to give all the eggs the same hatch date. Here's why I think it might be helpful to your situation.

Your birds mate but eat the eggs the same day they are laid. If you were lucky and removed the eggs before they ate them and saved them up until you had three, I'm thinking the hen might start incubating when you put them all back in the nest at once.

We advice people that its just an egg until it's incubated (keepers who have problem with over laying fiches), perhaps the zebs feel the same way. Maybe adding a couple of fake eggs to the nest would work, also. They couldn't eat them so it might help break the habit and finally get them to the point where they start sitting.

Gyro · Post by **Gyro** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 2:52 am

I have the same problem albeit much worst. The hen eats the eggs after they started incubating it. Then they dismantle the nest by removing all the nesting materials in it.

Out of 3 tries to breed them. I am only able to produce 1 chick to maturity. And its from the first clutch. The hen ate all the eggs since then. I don't know what to do that I removed the cock and isolated the hen. I saw an egg this morning. I'll check what the hen does to it when I get home tonight. I'm thinking of saving it until I have at least 3 and put it in the cage where the cock is. Maybe he'll sit on it.

pushtoowala · Post by **pushtoowala** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 10:18 am

I dont know anymore. Im starting to loose hope. I have taken the eggs out before, in fact I even took one out this morning and I will save it until the clutch is finished and then should I put them back in there or should I take the female out of the cage and then let the male do all the work-I think the female is eating all the eggs. Please help me.

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 4:01 pm

i am afraid there are a few zebras that develop this nasty habit and there is not a lot you can do about it,usually the reason how you got them in the first place is the person who had them knew that they did this.you might try making some eggs out of plaster of paris and put them back after the 3rd day this works with canaries as they sit after the 5th egg this gives all the chicks an equal chance of survival.unless you have any society finches that you can put the eggs under.other than that there is nothing you can do apart from stopping them from breeding or make the drastic step of selling them on as the inevitable will happen if you have other birds with the same colour eggs they will eat those if there are non of thier own to eat.....i am sorry if this sounds harsh but i am not trying to upset but guide and sometimes things like this happens and there is little you can do.....they could of course be lacking in something but what it is ,and finding out will be pot luck

ken

Crystal · Post by **Crystal** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 1:32 pm

It may also be worthwhile to try trimming the birds' nails and making sure there is a cuttle bone present in the cage. Damage to egg shells (or thin shelled eggs) may encourage the parents to eat them. Also, you can try pairing each bird with a new mate to see if only one or both birds have the problem.

pushtoowala · Post by **pushtoowala** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 5:09 pm

Do you think it would be a good idea to remove the eggs until there is a clutch of three and then remove the female(the one eating the eggs) and let the male do all the work of incubating?

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 6:07 pm

that would be an ideal solution but it is very rare for one parent zebra to rear a clutch on their own ,i suppose you would have nothing to lose by trying it

ken

bangkokphil · Post by **bangkokphil** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 9:57 pm

Hi Kenny and everyone

there seems to be two threads on this one I answered the other without readung this one Armed with the new informatioI must agree with Kenny the only thing you can do is keep the ofending bird in a cage indoors as a pet and get another Hen to breed with next year. Hope you have more luck next time.

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 12:27 pm

hi phil nice to see you on here

ken