Baby Picture = 11 days and question about parents

HepburnShoeMee · Post by **HepburnShoeMee** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 2:53 am

The baby zebras are growing very quickly - its just amazing to see the changes from day to day. It really blows my mind. The babies are very noisy and the parents are very busy.

Question though - during the day the male and female take their turns in the nest not usually in there at the same time. Ha, I think space is an issue. But tonight I notice that the folks are sleeping on top of the nest. They look quite content -but is this something anyone else has noticed? Is it just too cramped in their now? Seems that the babies are okay and keeping each other warm enough - I guess I was just surprised to see them out of the nest together and sleeping.

For the first time I would like to introduce you to the Mr and Mrs.

And here's a head sticking out. Getting a little crowded in there.

Christine
(My husband is starting to refer to me as the crazy ol' bird lady!)

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 3:44 am

I havent had baby Zeebies in some time but I do remember my parent birds also slept OUTSIDE the nest after the yound were a few days old.

Awesome photos they do grow up fast dont they.

williep · Post by **williep** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 5:07 am

First of all - congrats on the little ones.

I wouldn’t worry too much if they sleep outside the nest. Not quite sure how many chicks you have though but if there are at least 2 or 3 they will keep each other warm during the night, there is no way that the parent can keep all of the chicks of that size warm anyway.

So I guess the rule is: As long as they are fed (which it seems they are) and as long as they keep growing (which it also seems they are) I wouldn’t worry too much.

TammyS · Post by **TammyS** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:24 am

Yes - it is not unusual for the parents to start sleeping outside of the nest once the chicks are that age. The chicks will keep each other warm. As another poster mentioned - depending on the number of chicks in the nest - it might being get a bit crowed in the nest for the parents to spend the night in the nest.

hilljack13 · Post by **hilljack13** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 12:10 pm

The babies look great. Wish you the best of luck as they get older.

Eel Noob · Post by **Eel Noob** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 6:10 am

Great pix, do you use a external light source for the shots?

I never bred Zebras before but my Societies would all cram into the tiny nest box, with or without babies in there