FINCHforum

OK tonight after i already had the cage covered and lights out i in heard flapping i muted the tv to listen better and hearts more flapping so i quickly took the cover of the cage and my female was out unusual for her but I'm giving her leeway cuz she's breeding so i leave the cover on 3 sides so she can see her way back into the nest but it's so dark enough to go to bed and then she goes in the next and the male comes bomb assing out flying around into the cage flying like crazy attaching to the bats of the cage and flapping like a wild man i turned on the light to check on him and he clung to the front of the cage so i let him out he flew around my room and pooped (that looked normal) But he was fluffing out aLOT & is not cold in my room also he pushed his mouth a few times like panting but not sure if it was really panting? ? Looked like he may have had something in his mouth ?whitish? But he went back in the cage and he keeps peeping (the female called him back he answered her but didn't return) he seems to be looking around a lot and peeping a lot also i noticed a loose tail feather (i think it was loose it was out of place ) Someone please help I'm panicked is my bird OK? Zebra finch approx 8-9 months old 3rd day in of incubation so he has been alone allot but I'm worried they've never woken up after I've covered them like this before I've read About night frights could this be that? HELP ?!

It sounds like something scared them or one had a night fright. They seem too young to breed. If they are both back in the cage, hopefully they will settle down. One might be picking on the other one too, as Zebras sometimes do that. Leave enough light so they can get back to perches etc. & also a darker covered area for them to sleep. Someone who knows more about Zebras I'm sure will post something soon. Good luck.

Sounds like a night fright to me as well. I don't cover my birds but if you want to, I'd put a soft 7 watt lamp or nightlight nearby so they can see. It's possible something they heard from the tv startled them.

As far as their age, the hen might be a little young, but more of the big breeders are saying we are waiting too long to breed and by six months the hens are ready. I'd certainly pace her though and only let her have the one at this age.

I wouldn't worry about them too much. And he probably was panting if he got over excited.