Two rambunctious, hand-fed zebra fledglings

[mlisa73]

I searched the threads for a similar topic, but haven't found any exact matches. I need help from all of you veteran hand-raisers. My 2 Zebras are currently 25 days old. This is my very first time hand-raising any birds. These two are very spoiled. They're still getting formula, but they also snack on egg, carrots, soaked seeds and millet. I read somewhere that they will eventually stop begging.. is that for hand-fed as well (the thread I read was still parent-raised)??? Also, after every formula feeding, they always want to play. They'll fly up and sit on my shoulder, today, perched on the chair beside me, almost perched on the kitchen countertop.. They're actually starting to make me nervous. Not that they'll fall, but that they might land somewhere unsafe. Does anyone have any suggestions? They really LOVE their playtime (sometimes want out to play only, not eat), and I enjoy watching them learn to fly and get some exercise (they fall asleep in my hand afterwards). And is it ok to let them roam, supervised of course, like this? Having tamed zebras was one of the perks I was looking forward to from hand-raising.

[lovezebs]

mlisa73

I think that it's just adorable.

Regarding your concerns about them landing on something unsafe: I would make sure, that they get their free flight/exercise, in a room where there aren't any hazards (stoves, fireplaces, cooking pots and pans, open toilets, sinks filled with water, hot beverages, etc.) It's like having active toddlers around. Open windows and doors, are also a major hazard when it comes to these little guys.

Regarding weaning these spoiled babes. They will eventually stop asking for food from you, and you can slowly start cuttin back on the formula if they are eating and drinking on their own.

Do you have any pictures of them ?

[Spreckles]

This is incredible! I am totally jealous I want to hold a baby birdie I agree with Elana this is ADORABLE! I would just mention the obvious; you don't have a cat do you? dog? other predators?

It's wonderful I would love to see a video of these babies playing with you, so precious. Did you raise them from eggs? When did you begin hand feeding them? What happened to the parents?

inquiring minds want to know

and welcome to the forum...

Karen

[Sally]

This is very normal behavior for hand-fed babies, they will land on you, tug at your hair, nibble your earlobes, just slay you with their adorableness!! This is the stage that is so much fun. As long as the room is safe as Elana has pointed out, they should be fine. Keep working with them, and if your goal is tamed Zebras, don't put them with other Zebras, they tend to revert to typical birds then. Keep them separate, and work with them every day. Please keep us posted too, I'd love to hear about your progress with taming them.

[mlisa73]

lovezebs@Spreckles@Sally (although Sally has probably already seen these pics/vids)

Aww, you guys are awesome! Well, HERE'S THE LINK for my initial thread. I removed the chicks from their parents when they were 10 days old, because they were picking at them so bad, one was bleeding. There's a video (my 2nd post) and some pics there of their parental abuse, on that page. Page three, there's 2 pics and 2 videos (Jan 25th and 28th). Then on Feb. 1 I posted a video of them beginning to fly (page 4) They're actually flying 3 - 4 feet now, both up and across. I'll get one of my children to video me with them some time soon. I also have pictures on my Facebook page if anyone has Facebook.

And I'm kinda thinking just playing with one at a time might be best, as far as their safety. Today, both were on my shoulder (I was sitting in a desk chair), and after I reached for one, the other took off toward the floor. So I'm thinking, in the middle of the living room, on the floor, perhaps even find or make something for them to perch on, and one at a time!!!

Also... when is the usual age that they won't want their formula? I know eggs and carrots gotta be way better than that stuff! lol...

[Babs _Owner]

mlisa73

Sounds like you did great with the rescue on those little ones! And as Sally told me once "now you da momma!"

Enjoy!

[mlisa73]

First of all, I gotta brag on my babies.. Guess where these guys slept last night???...







And second...

I think I just might have a BOY right here:



I didn't actually notice the cheek patch difference till I uploaded it, and it's nearly impossible to see in person, but I was focusing on the orange with white spots area below his left wing. Here's two more pics.. Let me know what y'all think.

[lovezebs]

mlisa73

Don't know how I missed your first thread about the parents picking on these two babies. I just read through it now.

I'm very happy that this situation had a happy outcome, and that your babies are doing so well (thanks to you).

I noticed in your other post, that these parents have bred again, and that they have eggs about to hatch shortly.

I would keep a very close eye on these two, and on how they are treating their hatchlings. If there is any signs of this behavior again, I would immediately remove the male (who appears to have been the instigator ) and see if female will raise chicks on her own.

If this behavior continues, I would not allow these two to breed again.

Good luck.

[mlisa73]

lovezebs
Oh, you bet I'll be watching.. I'm prepared to take them out whenever necessary. I actually plan on taming/handraising them. I removed these two when they were 10 days old, although the picking began the evening of 7 days old (parents behaved that night once I turned the lights off, so it/they only endured day 8 and 9 mostly).

Also... I don't think I'll be letting these guys fly around any more.. I had a minor mishap last night, and had to get the flashlight to find one of them.. They're fine (my nerves got a little rattled tho), and they got to interact with mom and dad (from the outside, of course), but unless it's vital, I believe I'll just let them get their flying in in the cage. If y'all feel they need to interact outside the cage for exercise or social purposes, I believe I can do this one at a time. But if it's not necessary, it might be best they stay put. Also, they're not weaned yet, so I do still take them out for feedings. But I've been putting them right back when they're done.

[lovezebs]

mlisa73

With the parents, these two fledglings, and the upcoming bunch, you do realize that you will need a good sized flight. They will need to have flying room (at least 30 to 32 inches across) and enough room to have their personal spaces, otherwise you will end up with endless squabbling and fighting.

[Spreckles]

ditto what Elana said. I read somewhere that Sally mentioned if you let hand raised babies re enter the flock they revert to wild type behavior. If the new eggs are not very far perhaps you should toss them. Do you have enough flight cages to isolate the male? Elana is right about fighting and squabbling. The aggression to your babies was very serious.

Once your babies start to fly they need to exercise. They are just adorable. You don't want any inbreeding either with the new ones as they grow up.

Karen

[mlisa73]

lovezebs

The cage the parents are in is 23 1/4" wide, 28" tall and 20" deep. That's the one I was planning on putting all 6 chicks in (once the 2nd clutch is ready), and the parents separate, with no nests in either cage. Is that still too small for 6 tame zebras?

Also, these eggs are 6 days old, and all four look fertile. I wouldn't have the heart to toss them now.

@Spreckles

I read that somewhere too, here, that putting them with their parents would "untame" them. I certainly don't want to do that. I was planning on putting these two, with the next four. Hopefully that's ok, lol...

[debbie276]

Not a zebra expert but with them being a more pushy species that cage seems very small for 6 of mixed gender.

[lovezebs]

mlisa73

That cage is waaaay too small for six or eight Zebras.
You will have constant fighting, plucking, bloodshed and mayham.


You should be looking at something at least this size....
Here is an example. ...

32x19x64. $84.00 on Amazon (sale)

[mlisa73]

lovezebs

That's an awesome looking cage! And a great price! Unfortunately, we're very limited on space. I was hoping if I had to purchase another cage, that it would be one I could perhaps place/attach to the big one. I could go for one slightly longer than 23 1/4", but I'd rather not exceed the depth of 20" nor the height of 28". And I've been looking, but so far all I've found is this one. Would this work, perhaps??? (Oh, and btw, at first I thought that cage you posted was 64" tall [lol], but that's with the stand.. I'm still learning.. it's 36" tall)

(Perhaps I could even separate the genders, including Mom and Dad, placing all males in one and all females in the other and put the small one away again)