New friend?

[bayfield_finch]

I have a 5 year old male Zebra finch that lost his male cage mate in August. I'm wondering if I should get him a new pal for Christmas. He looks healthy, chirps and peeps his little heart out and eats and bathes regularly. I feel bad for him because he really seemed to enjoy the company of another. Do you think he is too old for another friend? Would it be too stressful to introduce a new finch this late in life? I don't want to upset him, I want him to live a full and happy little life.

[Sally]

Is this the only finch you have right now? If so, I would get him a companion, as finches do love the company of other finches. Another male would probably be best. When you introduce the new bird, I would take your present bird out of his cage and rearrange things such as perches, so it will seem like a new territory for both of them.

[lovezebs]

bayfield_finch
Hi.
I would also recommend a little friend. A male Zebra or Society Finch. After a period of quarenteen , I would place cages side by side for a while, so they can get to know each other a little before moving in together.

Then as Sally wrote, move things around a bit, so that it all looks new.
I think your little fella, will be happier for the companionship.

~Elana~

[delray]

I agree with elana and Sally. I would deffinetely quarentine the new bird to be safe.

Good luck

[bayfield_finch]

Thank you for all the responses. My little Ace will have a new buddy by the weekend. I will get a quarantine cage and rearrange the existing cage. How long do you think I should keep them living side by side before putting them in together? I know how to identify male Zebras, but how can tell the sex of a Society? I think I would like to change it up and try a Society this time. Again, thank you for all the quick responses!

[Sally]

Societies are hard to sex, simply because you can't do it visually. Only males sing, and when they do, it is unmistakable. They stand straight up, puff out their little chests, and those little beaks are moving in time to the music! Most of them sing quite often, but then you get the shy ones, who are simply reluctant to sing, and so you think they are hens. The best way to get a male Society is to buy from a breeder who will guarantee the sex.