Page 1 of 2

Zebra Breeding

Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 9:33 pm
by Gizmo92
I have HAd a pair of zebras for about a month now. They have built a nest but they wont breed. What can i do?

Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 10:36 pm
by EmilyHurd
Be patient... they'll start laying eggs when they are ready... building a nest is a sign that they are ready however, sometimes they took a little while to lay the eggs

Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 2:18 am
by Crystal
Are they definitely a male and a female and do they seem to like each other?

Do you ever see them mate in the morning?

Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:18 pm
by Gizmo92
Yeah I'm pretty sure i have a coak and a hen here are the pics. I am also sure they like each other they groom and sleep together + they are always sitting next to each other.
Image

Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:37 pm
by Crystal
They are definitely a pair. You probably just need to give them more time. Do they have a cuttle bone and are you feeding any egg food? How much nesting material did they have / have they used? Do they sleep in their nest at night and visit it at all during the day? No mating in the morning yet?

Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 8:05 pm
by lia-w
I don't know what to say. Mine got busy really quickly. I got them and 2 weeks later...eggs :roll:

Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 8:50 pm
by Gizmo92
They visit it all the time. The have filled it to the edge and seem content but maybe i should give them more? The only thing is when the male wanted more nesting material he would pull his feathers out, but now he is leaving them alone.

Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 11:50 pm
by Crystal
If the nest is full to the brim, giving them more is not a good idea since any eggs they lay will roll out of the nest. You might actually need to remove a little bit of the material so that there is a "lip" to the nest entrance that will keep the eggs safe inside.

My suspicion is that your birds will start breeding soon. Give them a few more weeks.

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 7:22 pm
by Gizmo92
Its not to the brim there is a lip its just really full
-Thanks

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 1:08 am
by EmilyHurd
Don't worry Gizmo! They'll breed soon :D

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:23 am
by Finchaholic
Sometimes we humans are a little to "hands on". I know I am, :oops: and finches like to be left alone. So maybe check to see if they are in a high traffic area, and if so move them to a more private corner. I have had Zebras unable to breed because they are just to nervous from being disturbed all day. Try that and see if it helps.
Like many have said on this forum "watch what you wish for because soon you will be trying to fine homes for all those babies". :D Good luck.

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 9:39 pm
by Gizmo92
They are in the living room but are between a chair no one uses and the sofa. I am rarerly there during the day and they are out of the way. Is this spot okay for them? There is a fake ivy plant in their cage for protection.

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 9:42 pm
by Finchaholic
Sounds like they are in an ideal spot. Now its just "wait and see".

Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 5:10 am
by raghavan88
I m buying zebra finches in a few months.

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 10:51 am
by jave*finch*
I have 5 of my pairs sitting on eggs right now!