my zebras need a shrink, else I will!

[Ria]

So I was very excited to put my 3 pairs of zebras all together for the first time into a new flight cage, thinking they'd be happy little birds. What a mess! Three pairs:Puff(f) and Mika(m) together for over a year. Shimmer(f) and Beau(m) together about 3 months. Bella(f) and Dmitri(m) together about 2 weeks. The first two pairs have mated and laid eggs, but not raised any of those clutches. Dont' know if last pair mated, but they do mutual grooming and contact sitting.

Problem is, whoever said zebras mate for life obviously forgot to tell my flock about that! Beau got very territorial right off the bat, so I removed him after a day to let the others settle in a bit before I returned him. No luck. In fact, I may have made it worse - Mika has mostly abandoned Puff and is pursuing Shimmer, he and Beau have come close to all-out air battle since reuniting everyone. Dmitri then pursues Puff a lot, but still spends a lot of time with his mate Bella, especially for sleeping.

I wouldn't mind if they switched partners, but there's an awful lot of chasing and jealous squeaking that makes me nervous. no injuries yet, and lots of food and water spots. Some greenery for screening and privacy, a large cage (60x18x36). Last night I was ready to divide them all back into smaller cages and start finding new homes for some of them! Are they likely to work it out, or do I have to accept that they just won't get along? anybody with lots of zebs, advice is greatly appreciated! This is my first try at multiple pairs together, and it's been very disappointing!

[CandoAviary]

Zebras in the wild do usually mate for life. But then they have the selection of many to choose from. In captivity we choose there mates, many times not to their liking. Sometimes we even pair them with relatives without knowing because that is how most store sell them. Most I have see are not banded by the breeder so you really have no idea. Could present problems with hatching, raising chicks.

Most time trying to breed 3 pair in a 36" space (horizontal spage is what is important) is just not enough room. Territorial problems are sure to arize.

I have many zebras and still prefer to cage breed one pair to a cage. After breeding they can have the aviary to themselves. This winter some have paired and built nest with grass in the purple martin house. Have had no fights though, it is a carport size aviary.
I will be removing the purple martin nest as soon as these last few flege. No chicks are wanted at this time.....especially not knowing for sure who the Dad is.

You may find that while breeding it is best to keep the pairs in seperated cages. When they are at rest they could all be housed together...without nest. This should curb the territorial aggression. Best of Luck.

[JohnBoy]

I'd keep them together for a while and just watch closely. Make sure no one is causing physical damage. My experience is they usually work it out. I have had a few females that would never behave and would cause so much stress that I did have to remove them to their own quarters. Also put more nest than pairs so they can choose their location. Keep the nest as far apart as possible. If this does not calm them down in a week or less than you will probably have to separate them.

[L in Ontario]

It is very natural for everyone to find their place in the hierarchy and yes even finches have their society levels. They should be able to work it out although it may take several beakfulls of feathers!

How many nestboxes do you have in (if any)? If you do have some there should be more than the number of pairs (ie 3 pairs = 4 or even 5 nestboxes). And greenery around the perches and nestboxes may help with privacy and/or places to hide.

A double-flight size cage is certainly big enough for 6 birds and hopefully they will be able to work out how to get along. Good luck and keep us posted, please!

[Ria]

Thanks for the help so far! there are no nests at all in the cage, I don't want baby birds at the moment, and definately don't want the extra fighting that seems to accompany nests. I may try adding some more greenery and perch space tho.

I did notice after work today that the chasing is not quite so insane as it was this morning and yesterday. Maybe they're finally tiring of it, or else working it out. I suppose that if Mika steals Shimmer, Beau will eventually pair with Puff as the only other available female. Oh well. So long as they all behave!

[L in Ontario]

It's good that there are no nests yet. I'm sure they are just figuring out who is top-dog. Good luck.

[CandoAviary]

Okay, I miss understood. I thought you had breeding pairs set up in there with nest...oops.
I agree with Liz that they will get the pecking order staightened out. Then each will know there place and a peaceful flock will emerge. Sometimes one will become the scapegoat for others so keep an eye on the low finch in the pecking order that he doesn't get too much strife.

[ac12]

I use a spray water bottle to calm things down when it seems to be getting out of hand, or when I feel that I want to "dampen" the aggression of a specific bird.

A few times I noticed that a bird will pick on the wrong bird, and that one will hit back MUCH harder than the bird that was doing the picking.

[Finch Fry]

You said your cage is "60x18x36"

What is the length and width? The height is unimportant.

[Ria]

Ok, an update: Things seem to have improved midweek, birds were acting almost normal. I actually got an idea of what a happy aviary might look like! But then Friday, one of the girls laid an egg in a food dish, and Beau got hyper-protective of Shimmer again. This morning, same behavior - massive chasing of Mika, and even the other girls. But now this afternoon, Mika is back with Shimmer, and Beau is almost normal, trying to befriend the last girl Puff. I'll give it more time, but I hope the craziness is almost over! My cage is 60x18, with greenery for hiding in, and lots of feeding stations; everybody seems to be eating ok so far, tho it's funny that when one bird finds something really interesting, the rest want it too, and forget that there's another cup with the same treats in it.

[Nagdabit]

lots of feeding stations; everybody seems to be eating ok so far, tho it's funny that when one bird finds something really interesting, the rest want it too, and forget that there's another cup with the same treats in it.

Ah yes, Flock mentality. One birds sees or starts something, all have to join in. Same thing when we put in fresh water and one decides it's bath time. Next thing you know the water is being sprayed throughout the whole room and even we are getting soaked. In the wild I guess it serves as a protection, one bird finds food then the others see and are able to gain the nourishment needed for another day.

Good to hear that everyone seems to be settling in. You sound like us in the aspect that you really seem to enjoy Zebras quirky little personalities. We have a couple of cages set up similar to yours that even have nests in them. While there can be some conflict from time to time (especially when eggs are laid), generally it's nothing too serious, and that can't be rectified by a squirt or two from the water bottle as Gary suggested. We find that it really brings out the positive aspects of their "flock mentality". On numerous occasions we've had birds other than the parents assisting in the raising of young.

Sometimes it takes a little tinkering to make it all work out. If a bird with a nastier disposition is in a cage with birds that are on the passive side. the nasty bird can create havoc and make things uneasy for the entire cage. However if we put that same bird in a cage with one or two that are on the bolder side, and won't tolerate the aggression, the nastier bird generally will fall in line. Our one rather large CFW hen (Rhosyn) is one of the sweetest birds we have, but she will not take any crap from any body. We originally got her around the same time we bought a few other hens and while all were still in quarantine, one of them was wreaking havoc in her cage. Took her out and put her in with Rhosyn and that ended real quick. She came over and tried to go at Rhosyn, and Miss Rhosyn just turned. looked at her, and launched a massive peck at the other hen. So much for the aggression.

We're certainly are not suggesting that you put nests in there and let them breed. We realize that we have a unique situation and that there are some nasty birds that just can't be "rehabilitated." Just wanted to provide another point of view.

[Ria]

Well, we'll see how it all goes. I may consider breeding at some date, but probably not till everybody is fully settled in. It's been about 11 days, and Mika and Beau are still fighting over Shimmer! Not as bad as the first few days, but still going at it. She doesn't seem to have a preference, will sit with either boy and groom them/let them groom her. Poor Puff is meanwhile a lonely bird, but I note she often chases away any boy that comes near. Maybe she's not impressed with any of them! Quiet, timid, flighty little Bella is emerging as queen of the cage, tho. Nobody gets in her way for long!