Ratio Questions

[Tzippora]

Hello everyone,
My family has kept birds in the past, but I'm new to finches. Over the last few weeks I've done a lot of research and am now preparing to get the birds.

I'm hoping to buy six finches this weekend (to house in a 30"L 19"W 36"H flight cage), right now I'm thinking a mix of Zebras and Societies. I'm planning to get all the same gender (no breeding ), but I have a few questions:

- Could I get 4 Zebras and 2 Societies, or would the Societies get picked on?
- Could I get 3 Zebras and 3 Societies, or would this cause "third wheels"?
- Do you recommend all males or all females?

Thank you!

[Sally]

I don't have much experience with Zebras, but personally, I'd go for all Societies, either all males or all females if you aren't interested in breeding. Zebras can be pushy. If you do decide on both species, I would not get 3 of each, as there is the possibility that two of each species will buddy up, leaving the third one out. The two odd ones may buddy up, but you can't count on it. Also, it seems that Societies will tolerate being a bit crowded more than Zebras, another plus for them.

[lovezebs]

Tzippora

Hello.
Congratulations on the upcoming event this weekend.

Regarding your questions.
Zebras and Societies can co- exist together. If you are wanting both species, I would go with four Socies, two Zebras. As mentioned by Sally, Zebbies do tend ti be a little pushy (depending on the Individual birds). This way, at least they will be the minority, and hopefully will concentrate on one another.

Regarding the gender.
I would go with all males. The reason for that being, that this way you won't have to deal with unwanted eggs, or the possibility of egg binding.


Goodluck, and enjoy your little birds.

~Elana~

[Tzippora]

Thank you for your replies!

Would it work out to get all 6 Zebras (I like them for their colors and "song") I thought the Societies might balance out their aggressive nature.

[David]

Tzippora,


I think you can get 6 zebras no problem, but if you don't want have any egg binding then don't pick the female one. I agree with Sally and Elana, zebra always little pushy but depend on individual personality. If you want all the same gender, and like their color and "song" must be the males, since only male can sing and female cannot. Make sure if you get all 6 male together and observe if they are get along with each other. At least make sure they don't fight with each other lol, sometime they don't fight or hissing sound til few days later, just be very careful. Getting even numbers of finches always better than odd numbers I current have 20 zebra finches. Let us know if you have more questions, we are here to help and some other experience users would be happy to help out too!

David

[Colt]

I would not put six zebras in a flight cage that size. Especially if you have three males and three females. Once they start breeding they will become fairly aggressive and in a cage that small the dominant pair will constantly harass the other pairs. It could possibly be done if all the birds are the same sex. Of course this is just a general rule of thumb. Some birds might do great, while others will not.

Personally in a cage that size I would go with Societies if you want multiple birds. They come in a variety of colors and their song is much more pleasant to me than the zebras incessant beeping and honking...lol And the males also have a cute little "puffy dance" they do.

[Tzippora]

I would not put six zebras in a flight cage that size. Especially if you have three males and three females. Once they start breeding they will become fairly aggressive and in a cage that small the dominant pair will constantly harass the other pairs.

I am planning to get all males, for this reason and also because of the babies.

[Colt]

I'd still advise having a back-up plan just in case. Most of the time Zebras do not go along with our plans...lol

[Tzippora]

Thank you for your help everyone! In the end I decided to get all Zebras. Right now all six of them are happily cheeping, flying around, and eating millet.

I got them from Canoga Discount Birds: (http://www.yelp.com/biz/canoga-discount ... os-angeles
https://www.facebook.com/CanogaDiscountBirds)

If you are in the LA area I would DEFINITELY recommend them: they had plenty of different types of small birds (zebras, societies, cordon bleus, cut throats, waxbills, diamond doves, parakeets) for good prices ($9-$55 each depending on the type), a few conures, parrots, bird seed, etc. The store looks plain from the outside but inside it's really nice. I hope to post pictures soon!

[David]

Congrats! Look to see some pic from you soon! hope they will get along with others. You got all zebras yay!

[wilkifam]

That cage is pretty small for 6 birds, you could get away with 6 societies in there, but will probably end up with squabbling with 6 zebras. Make sure you have plenty of cover, and plenty of food and water dishes to minimize fighting. I would have a second cage at the ready in case it is needed. I usually keep two birds in a cage that size.

[Toddmin]

Tzippora,

I agree. I would think that many Zebras would be happier a larger cage.

BTW, Tzippora is a perfect name for this forum!