FINCHforum

Hi,
So the site calculator says my new cage (when completed, I'll take photos as I go) will take 7-10 birds, I'm thinking of having 8. Since I do not want to breed, can I get all males, will they be happy?
---Hoji

That many males should be just fine together. They will be incredibly noisy!

Yeah, my husband says the 3 I have now sound like computers.
I'm mostly worried about finding homes for babies, otherwise I'd love to have a mix of males and females.

You are wise to think about what to do with babies ahead of time! Some people have no trouble finding homes for the babies, others wind up buying more cages to house them...ahem...temporarily (guilty!). It is definitely something to consider before breeding. Many breeders do all-male and all-female aviaries while not breeding to cut down on territorial aggression. A lot of it has to do with the species, too.

If I get males and females can I practice planned parenthood by removing the eggs? Does this work? or is it too heart breaking for the birds and the bird keeper (me)?

Removing the eggs will certainly prevent them from multiplying. But it won't omit the breeding behavior, which can get pretty aggressive. You will still have pairs competing for nests, terriority, food, etc. If you wish to breed it is probably best to separate out the breeding pair. If you don't want to breed, don't give them nests. If you give them nests, they will fight. Simple as that.

ok, no nests
Like alot of folks I find a pair of finches in a nest so cute, but it's not worth it if it'll make them fight.
It sounds like societies are peaceful, I'm considering rounding out the flock with them.

goodness if you have room for 8 birds I'd branch out into other species Zebras are incredibly noisy, we had 6 in our apartment and they were so loud you couldn't talk on the phone in the same room as them. I'd look into societies and shafttails and other finches that get along with zebras

Hi,
My birds live in my sewing room. My husband and I spent the weekend rearranging it to make room for the new cage I am going to build. It is on the second floor and removed from the entertaining space, but it is where I spend most of my time after work and on the weekends. I do love zebras but reading this forum has me concerned now about the wisdom of only keeping them. So I will probably get 4 societies to keep with my 4 zebras. An additional song style would be great!
How about a canary? I know that usually only the males sing, but a female without a song would still be fine. Can you count canaries the same, since they are bigger. My new cage will be (30" deep, 6 ft. long, and 4 ft. high) the calculator says 7 - 10 birds, so could I really have 4 zebras, 4 societies, and 1 canary? I just found unsexed canaries that look really good for $49.99 in a great little pet shop.

I have two canary hens in my mixed species, non-breeding, indoor aviary. They get along with all other species but sometimes have squabbles with each other. Nothing too serious though.

Oh, that sounds great! I'm getting more and more excited about a mixed flight! I'm so glad you wonderful people have shared so much info and your actual experiences. I was pretty well set on just zebras, but this is really starting to seem like a much better idea! I think my husband will enjoy the diversity, too!
Thanks, thanks, thanks!

Wow, Hoji, that is a great size for an indoor cage/flight! Your birds should be very happy with that.