EGGS!

beccafigs · Post by **beccafigs** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 1:07 pm

So in the midst of some serious bird drama both my zebras and societies started laying eggs...

In a response to someone else's post I mentioned my trouble with ALL my zebras learning to bully the societies in my large flight cage from one mean male (who has caused trouble ever since I got him). I removed the zebras from the large flight cage and was planning on getting another large cage for the societies and I was going to put the zebras in the large flight cage again. This morning there were eggs in each cage.

SO, my societies are very nervous compared to the zebras already and if they are comfortable and laying eggs I don't want to move them... but my zebras are all in a cage that I know is too small for all 4 but needed to make due til I got a new cage (which I am planning to do today). I'm also very concerned with the bully remaining in the cage with any babies, I have little doubt in my mind that he will do something to harm them.

Please help!

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 3:24 pm

Congradulations on the eggs, As for the bully he MAY surprise you,,,,, I wish I had an anser, or maybe once zebs are moved to larger cage have the smaller one they are now in on stand by. Watch Bully Boy if he gets misbehavin send him to that cage,
Maybe solitary confinement will make him nicer.,

Good Luck keep us updated.

chrischris · Post by **chrischris** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 6:10 pm

Yeah you have to watch those Zebras they can be very agressive and dominate over the Society finches.

Chris

beccafigs · Post by **beccafigs** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 12:42 am

Thank you for both your responses.

Fancie Flight- So you think it will be ok if I move the zebs out of the little cage? I am thinking of putting them back in the large flight cage and I have a big enough cage coming for the societies but in the mean time I can put them in the same size cage as the zebs. It's far too small for 4 zebs with eggs, but it will be ok for societies. I'm just worried about spooking them.

kountry_mouse2 · Post by **kountry_mouse2** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:03 am

I would not move the birds since they have eggs. my experience has been that you take the chance that they will "throw out " the eggs once disturbed. I moved mine to a larger cage and when i moved the nest i realized there were 2-3 eggs and the next day No eggs!! i found them at the bottom of cage. so with that said if they were comfortable enough to lay eggs they will be ok until fledglings come out and then move them. good luck!!!

Post by **Sally** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 11:08 am

Pretty much if you move birds, nests, eggs around, the parents will decide it is not safe for their babies and will abandon them. If you aren't comfortable with the current situation, when you get another cage, you could just go ahead and move everyone around and get them set up. They will probably abandon the nests, but now you will be ready for any babies. Sometimes you just have to start over.

Nipper06 · Post by **Nipper06** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:45 am

Sounds like you might have too many pairs of finches in the same cage, especially when breeding. Breeding pairs need space. They can get very territorial and fight all the time. You would do much better with one pair of birds per cage.

From what I read on this message board, it sounds like a lot of people have way too many birds in cages that aren't big enough, especially when they start breeding. I realize cages are expensive and not everyone has the space but, generally speaking, fewer birds and more space is usually good for the birds.

I keep only one pair of finches in a cage this size and I have no fighting problems.

beccafigs · Post by **beccafigs** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 12:58 am

Well I did go against the advice against moving my birds and it started to work out well. I took the societies (eggs and all) and put them into a smaller breeding cage almost two weeks ago. They continued to lay and are sitting tight on the eggs, they seem pretty content. Now the zebras (4 of them) are in the large cage and I let them keep their eggs and nest. The zebras continued to lay eggs and seemed okay.

Well I've been out of town a lot with my hubby before he deploys and I got a call from my neighbor/bird sitter two days ago and she noticed that the female zebra who was not laying eggs has a bald butt. My best guess on the fly was that they needed more nesting material (which made me apprehensive because I've read of people's zebras "layering" eggs and nesting material). She gave it to them and we came home for the weekend unexpectedly and I see that they put all the extra material in and actually nestled the eggs in nicely in it. One new issue is that we came in late--it was lights out for them already--and when we walked in the door not a single bird was on the eggs. That, and poor Whitey looks terrible with her half bald behind. Well, they all look bad really. They were all puffy and very sad looking, although nobody else was missing feathers. With all my issues with Firecracker the bully I have been considering trying to find him a new home (my husband said he just watched him chase Whitey and pluck her). They may be doing poorly for some other reason too, but I blame Firecracker until I get to investigate some more. I am leaving town again Sunday and won't be back til after he leaves so I will have to continue to rely heavily on Jess for help.

Firecracker has been trouble since I got him, I would just feel horrible for giving up on him and getting rid of him.

I'm at a loss right now. I would NEVER EVER do it, but there is a little part of me that wants to grab the little turd and toss him off the balcony.

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 4:43 am

Ya might want to make sur ethat th ebirds have access to heat lamps for awhile if they are sickly, Is there any way ya can get a Smaller cage to keep the lil turd in for awhile??

I agree that when breeding usually a pair in nothing smaller than 30x18x18 is a must however I also know MANY people breed successfully with larger cages and MANY pairs to the cage so I dunno, not gonna throw rocks at anyone...

I hope your birds will be ok, Ya can always candle the eggs and see if there any good, If NOT take em away move everyone till the battles end and start over. GOOD LUCK,

P.>S Have a nice time with your husband before he leaves and tell him how much he is appreciated will ya,,

beccafigs · Post by **beccafigs** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 1:28 pm

The cages are side by side with a shared heat lamp between them. Whitey has been sitting under it with her bald side facing it. My husband called the place where we got the little turd and they said they would take him off our hands so now I just have to decide if that is best for them. I think it is, but I feel pretty guilty about wanting to give up.

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 4:16 pm

well you MUST do whats best for all the birds,

beccafigs · Post by **beccafigs** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 4:37 pm

Yeah I guess so... I talked with my husband and we decided we are just going to take him back. Maybe he will be more compatible with someone else's birds. He's caused a lot of misery for all our other birds in these last 6 months or so that I've had him. Thanks for all your help...

That goes for everyone who posted on my thread.

Post by **Sally** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 2:51 am

Hi, beccafigs, you don't have to feel guilty about rehoming the bird. You have tried everything, and sometimes, nothing works. Another home, another group of finches, and he may be fine.

FINCHforum

EGGS!

EGGS!

Too many breeding pairs of birds?