FINCHforum

Woke up bright and early today and went out to the Bird Mart. Was very excited, and it was certainly packed. I took your guys' advice and took a long while to just look around at everything.

A lot of the birds were really crowded and stressed, so the breeders I picked really stood out. Actually the one I liked the most only had male zebra's, and the one I got the female from was also really nice and spoke to me for a bit about her birds.

I'm a little paranoid though, haha. I'm not 100% sure that I got a female, though the breeder seemed sure, and she would definitely would know more than me I guess. Her beak is paler than the males, but maybe in time you guys could help me out a bit. If I did end up getting two males I guess that would be a good excuse for two more birdies in the future, once my mom gets past the shock of me coming home with two new critters today.

The male looked great in the cage and seems to be doing well still. The female was fine in the car but now that I've got them in the cage she was kind of fluffed up and perching really low to the perch. It's about 64F right now, do you think she could be cold + stressed? The thing is now she's flying around, and even being a little bossy towards the male. She's certainly been eating and drinking water, and I even saw her preening herself and the male a while ago. She's certainly less fluffy than she was before.

I keep pausing the movie I'm watching to watch their antics. I'm so happy with them, they're really interesting and I'm glad the zebra finch personality has lived up to its reputation thus far.

This was the first picture I took when I put the in the cage, right before she got really fluffy.



She's certainly looking a lot better now. Unfortunately I wasn't able to take pictures at the show because I'm a genius and left my phone in the car


Any tips and knowledge are greatly appreciated!

Aren't they cute? Looks like a male and female to me but your more experienced folks will weigh in. yeah that is COLD. and they are stressed yes. You will get lots of advice. From what i have read about zebs you will also get a lot of babies!!!

Thanks Spreckles ! I have to admit I looked at the Societies and they were soooo cute huddled up together I was very tempted!

They're next to a lamp maybe I'll turn it on and point it towards the cage for some warmth. They do seem to be feeling really good right now though, she's swinging on the swing and eating spray millet and jumping around.

SOUNDS HAPPY TO ME!!!!

Congratulations on your new additions!!! They're beautiful!
It sounds like it would have been a stressful / loud / uncertain day for your new birds . . . give them some time, a nice warm home with lots of food and water where they'll feel safe and they'll come into themselves! Sounds like they're doing great already though! You'll have a TON of fun watching their antics! (And yeah . . . babies too!!!)
Looks like a male and female to me also - but I'm no expert with Zebra finches! I do LOVE the sounds they make though...they sound like cute little toys!!!

StephOnIt

64f is cold for finches.
Usual recommended temperature, is around 70+.
I would definitely raise the temp, and put a lamp on one corner of the flight, where there is a perch.

When bringing new birds home, It's always a good idea to offer them some heat. It offers warmth and comfort.

Birds will fluff up if they're cold or feeling unwell.

Congratulations, it's a boy, and a girl .

lovezebs

Thanks! I had my mom turn the heat on. It was probably around 70 without the heat indoors, but got pretty toasty once we had the heat running for a while. They actually seem really good right now, the hen is eating a lot. Alternates between the spray millet and the seed and water.


Question about the egg food. I hardboiled an egg, and cut it up into thirds. I offered them a third and mashed it up with the shell included and put some spray millet in there. The hen started eating from it almost immediately. How long is it okay to leave an egg in there?

Thanks for all of your help!

StephOnIt

They are just lovely Steph! I hope you enjoy your new babies! And the insanity of life with Zebra finches . heh heh heh

Let us know how they get on together

Edit : I only leave boiled egg in a few hours. Mine will mold/smell if left in longer. Godd job on introducing them early to boiled egg. Starting them on the right track.

StephOnIt

I wouldn't leave it for more than a few hours.
Hard boiled eggs are very healthy for these guys. It's a great source of protein for them. The shells provide calcium (again very important).

Good luck with the fids

They are super cute. Congrats.

Thanks everyone!

Question about the egg food. I hardboiled an egg, and cut it up into thirds. I offered them a third and mashed it up with the shell included and put some spray millet in there. The hen started eating from it almost immediately. How long is it okay to leave an egg in there?

Adorable!
I put my mashed hard boiled egg spread thinly on a dish. It will dry out before it goes off so I leave it all day and change out with new the next morning. Try to only put out enough so that they eat it all within a couple hours or so because they don't really go for the dried stuff as much. I feed about a tablespoon a pair.

Best of luck with your new birds!

I add quite a bit of dry commercial egg food to my hardboiled eggs, and so it is quite dry. I leave it in the cage all day.

Sally debbie276

Thanks so much for the good ideas!

Do you guys cover your birds at night?

StephOnIt I do not, but then I have lots more cages than most. I have my birds in my second bedroom, so I can close the door to that room, but I have cages in my living room and dining room. The birds in the living room are kept up quite late, because I watch a lot of television. They will be quiet for a while, then I will hear them singing/eating/flying around, and then they get quiet for a while again. I suppose I could cover them, but I don't.