Beginner questions

Keith&Belinda · Post by **Keith&Belinda** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 10:16 am

Hi all

We have a pair of zebra finches who are displaying some interest in breeding... but the two birds appear to be as new to the whole breeding thing as we are. I have a number of questions which I'm hoping can be answered here.

(it should be said that I put a artifical nest into the cage without actually realizing that this would be a cue for breeding - by the time I'd learned, it was too late as the pair where busy lining the nest)

First, the male has a little bit of black on his beak (although 95% of the beak is orange/red). I've heard that this is a sign of sexual immaturity.. is that the case? Will this have any effect on the breeding attempt?

Next... the male has been fairly active over the last few days lining the artificial nest with any material that I put into the cage. But, he appears to be either a bit lazy or a bit inexperienced - he "builds" frantically for a few minutes... and then loses interest completely, until a few hours later. The female, on the other hand, seems to be spending 80% of her time trying to coax the male into building. Is this normal, or a sign of inexperience? Should I just let them sort it out themselves?

I must say we are finding this whole process fascinating... and quite exciting!

StevePax · Post by **StevePax** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 10:42 am

With the male still having black on his beak, I'd personally recommend taking the nest out. Just remove it from the cage completely, and don't put it back for a few months - Even if Mom is old enough to raise kids, Dad plays a big part as well, and needs to be old enough. Just take the nest out, even if they are interested in building it.

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 12:38 pm

Yes, the black on the beak indicates he is very young. Too immature to be breeding. As Steve said, the male plays an important role in raising the young, so I would also suggest removing the nest for at least two months.

Keith&Belinda · Post by **Keith&Belinda** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 2:06 pm

OK, thanks very much for the info. We will just have to delay the excitement of seeing them breed for a few months

readingfc · Post by **readingfc** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 1:13 pm

Keith&Belinda wrote:OK, thanks very much for the info. We will just have to delay the excitement of seeing them breed for a few months

It'll be worth the wait

Keith&Belinda · Post by **Keith&Belinda** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 5:33 am

OK, an update to this. I removed the nest on the 14 June.... the birds were very unhappy indeed! When I came to change their water this morning, I found an egg which had been laid in the food "bowl".

Any advice on how to proceed from here?

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 6:20 am

It'll take the hen a while to get out of egg laying mode. Sometimes they continue to lay eggs even without a nest. They are determined little things. Just be sure to provide her with a cuttlebone and oyster and/or egg shells to replace the calcium she's losing.

Keith&Belinda · Post by **Keith&Belinda** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 7:08 am

Thanks Tammie

Should I put the nest back into the cage, or just remove the eggs as they are laid?

The male no longer has any black on his beak, although I'm guessing he is still a bit young. He, by the way, is absolutly delighted with the egg! He is sitting on it and making these cute little cooing sounds

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 7:18 am

No, don't replace the nest, that will definitely keep her laying. Just remove the eggs as they are laid and hopefully she will eventually stop laying them.

Give the male time to mature and then give them the nest, he will be more able to help raise the young if he's not a baby himself.

Keith&Belinda · Post by **Keith&Belinda** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 7:26 am

OK, thanks for the advice and help tammieb

Keith&Belinda · Post by **Keith&Belinda** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 8:12 am

Sorry to keep bothering you all, but I have yet another beginner question. The female zebra laid one single egg, and no others. Is that normal, or is she egg-bound? She doesn't appear to be in any discomfort, but I don't really know what to look for!

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 9:22 am

hi keith
i wouldnt worry mate..this kind of thing happens all the time with my zebs they will lay one egg then leave it for a few days and then lay another in some other place or maybe just stop....just keep taking them away and wait as tammie says until your birds are old enough obviously your female is old enough to lay eggs but the chances are they will not be fertile so just throw them away and make sure she has enough calcium based food to keep her strength up

ken

Crystal · Post by **Crystal** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 8:29 pm

Another thing you can do is replace the seed dish with a seed hopper or seed tube so that they can't lay eggs in it. Some birds can lay in the seed hopper, but a seed tube is a sure bet to prevent nesting. The seed hopper is much less messy, however, and worth a try.