New Zebra Owner with Questions

Finch Fry · Post by **Finch Fry** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:03 pm

7 Zebra eggs and Leela finally stopped. I havent had the heart to bother her and candle the eggs so I will just wait it out. I need some new info on how to care for the babies once they arrive.

What problems could I encounter?
I heard of people saying eggs or babies are kicked from the nest?
Do Zebs do that? If they toss an egg, should i put it back in? If they toss a baby, shoudl i put it back in? How long do I have before an egg will die or a baby will die from the time it gets kicked out?

Assuming the parents know what to do and start feeding the babies, what type of diet additions should i give them to help with the hungry babies?
(Current diet = millit spray, egg food with egg shell daily, basic finch seed mix i got at walmart, fresh water, treat dish with lettuce sometimes or mealworms. They dont take the mealworms ever. I have tried whole minis and i have tried cutting them up. Fry has taken a few but never is crazy about it. Should I reintroduce the meal worms after the babies hatch? I heard finches are more receptive to trying new foods when they have babies screaming for food all day.

Any other advice for a first time breeder of these little guys?

franny · Post by **franny** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:15 pm

I think you are feeding them well. The eggfood with shell is very important for her to replace all that calcium she used up in making eggs.

Do they have any crushed oystershell? I think they should have that available at all times, whether feeding babies are not. Wouldn't hurt anyway. They'll eat more if they need it, when laying eggs. Millet is great especially when the babies fledge, as it's easy for them to eat.

Don't think many zebs like the mealworms, but if you want to try, you could chop them up small and mix a bit with the eggfood. If they still don't eat them, then don't bother. They are getting plenty of good food. Just keep the eggfood coming!

Finch Fry · Post by **Finch Fry** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:32 pm

Does a cuttle bone satisfy the crushed oyster shell requirement?

I have a big cuttle bone in that that Leela picks at now and then.

As for the egg shell, she instantly flies over to the eggfood dish when it gets put in fresh and she picks out all of the shell and inhales it. She never finishes it all though so at least I know she is getting her fill.

franny · Post by **franny** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:23 pm

IMO it's still a good idea to provide crushed oystershell, as a form of grit, not just for the benefit of the calcium. But others might think differently. In my experience, some of my birds just didn't seem to pick at the cuttlebone that much. Of course you could scrape it off and add to the eggfood, but I think added the oystershell in a feeder cup as free choice is easier. I add charcoal to mine, too. Not sure if all finches like it, but my Goldbreasts do.

I also make a birdie bread to try to get my GBs to eat their veggies. They like it, but just like your zebra, then pick out all the bits of crushed eggshell in it and eat that first! So I guess they know what's good for them.