Can a shaft tail male cross breed with a society female?

[Laurilinn]

I have a very happy mix of 9 various breed finches in a large cage. Avoiding the long story of how I got to this point, the fact is I have a female society finch sitting on a clutch of eggs fathered by her 2 shaft tail husbands. Will they hatch?

[finchmix22]

Laurilinn
Society and other species of finches can and will cross breed or "ybridize"; however, the offspring either don't hatch (DIS) or are not fertile as a adults.Sometimes, they can have other health problems, but sometimes, they come out fine! Keep us posted!.

[Sheather]

These species are cross-fertile.

Hybrids don't have health problems any more than any other bird but are usually infertile if they've occurred between different genus.

[lovezebs]

Laurilinn

I am very curious to know what they turn out like. I have a flight with Zebras, Societies, one Shaft Tail male, and one Cut Throat male.

So far I haven't seen any u-hem romantic action between the different species, but that's not to say that it may not happen in the future.

Please keep us updated, and post pictures if and when they hatch.

~Elana~

[Laurilinn]

Thanks so much everyone for the prompt and friendly responses! I have read about the ability of similar finches to have offspring, but I wasn't so sure about the shaft tail/ societies.

This little white society finch hen was brought home last year for my elderly zebra finch male (yes, she probably sent him to an early - but very happy grave!), and it was then that I discovered I didn't own a pair of shaft tails, but 2 males. That little girl had 3 husbands for awhile. They didn't fight, but she was the most adored bird you have ever seen! Her official husband passed, and she has been laying eggs like crazy for sometime. I didn't have any nests as I had read it may cause fighting, but it was so pathetic to watch her. On a whim I bought a nest and both males began nest making about 5 minutes after installation. I am a bit afraid about what might be born - but everyone seems content right now. I will let you know the outcome.

[josh1810]

Laurilinn did the eggs hatch ?

[MiaCarter]

Also curious as to whether the eggs hatched!

I have a cross-species couple (society and zebra) and their eggs were all duds.
But I have them fostering a trio of zebra babies and they've done beautifully!

[lnlovesorange]

Laurilinn Inquiring minds NEED to know!!! Let us know!

[Laurilinn]

Sadly, no. I am thinking it had more to do with the inexperience of the (3) parents, and maybe my fault?

I had put fine grass hay (stolen from my horses) in the nest and they removed it all so that there was just the basket material (which has some small gaps between the weave. Do you think that it didn't stay warm enough? They all seemed to take turns setting.

The female is back in there now after just a few days where it looked like they had all given up, so maybe she's going to try again (nest is empty). I have left some stuffing style nesting material outside the nest this morning. Any advise appreciated.