Zebra finch not making friends :(

[zeebeez]

Hi,

A few months ago, our pair of zebra finches had a baby (female). We had separated her from the cage when she was a fledging because the parents kept attacking her. Even when she was older and we tried to put her back (once we removed the nest), they kept picking on her. So, we ended up buying another three zebra finches (two females and one male). It seems that all of them are making friends, except for the little one... She seems to have gotten more aggressive now too so she chases the others away even though she is the smallest of them all. Is this normal? Will she eventually make a friend?

I'm worried about them becoming depressed if they don't have a buddy. Seems as though the male and another female are cuddling together but one of the females is usually alone, same as the little one. Please let me know if you have any thoughts!

Thank you!

[cindy]

did you add them to her cage? Did you change up the interior of the cage, adding all including her back in at the same time?

[zeebeez]

We took the little one out of the cage.. we left the parents. Then we added the 3 new finches together and 10 minutes later, the little one. We knew there would be a power struggle at the beginning with the original pair... The little one was already being abused and she had some feathers plucked so we didn't want to risk it. The original pair was trying to be dominant over the others, but eventually assimilated. The little one, however, was scared at the beginning and then became more aggressive. She would stand up for herself once she would see the other finches do it... But now she's not letting them come close to her. She's always apart from the others.

Once they were all in there, I changed the layout of the cage a little to allow for more perches. The cage is also big enough for all of them so that hasn't been a big issue.

[cindy]

not sure I would have put her in a cage with the parents even with other birds in there. She is trying to defend herself from being bullied. It is also not good for her to bully the other birds. Is there on bird she gets along with, can you move her out with her own mate?

[zeebeez]

That's the problem.. She doesn't really go with any of them now There is one female bird who is also alone now because the others paired up. It's only been about a week since we got the new birds. I am not sure if we should return the new female and get the little one a boy companion, or if we should give them more time... It makes me sad to see them both alone, but I also feel it kind of mean to exchange one of the birds... She's so cute!

[Sally]

Since you have four females and only two males, you will probably wind up with two m/f pairs and hopefully the two odd females will buddy up. Sometimes though, when there are more females than males, the females will fight over who gets the males. I'd give it some time, finches usually have to work out a pecking order. You could still take all the birds out, rearrange the perches, etc in the cage, and then put all the birds in at the same time. Sometimes this works to break up any territorial issues, everyone is new to the cage (at least we hope they think this).

Welcome to the forum! There's lots of good reading at www.finchinfo.com, where you will find many articles on finch care. If you put your general location in your profile, it makes it easier for members to answer questions later on.

[zeebeez]

Thanks so much for the help. I will give them more time. They all seem to be settling down now with the territorial behavior. I did notice two of the newer females kind of competing for the male
I got extra females because I thought the little one was too young to have a male chasing her... Since she started off really shy, I thought she'd get along better with a female.

[haroun]

two combo things to do
1st as cindy mentioned it, you have to change up the interior of the cage, adding all including her back in at the same time.
2nd @ Sally's option , as you hve more hens than males you should add two more males or separate the femelles from male each gender apart ; in fact when you do this take on considration the 1st point

[zeebeez]

Ohh.. So you either need to have them all in the same gender or in pairs?

I guess we could return one of the females and get a male... I think 8 might become too crowded. Should we give up the little one (baby) because she's more aggressive or return the newest female? The new female is more calm.. Maybe because she's older. I'm not sure whether it's good or bad that the little one is still around her parents...

The other birds are fine.. The four others have paired up already (two pairs of male/female). We are just left with two lonely females.

[Stuart whiting]

zeebeez

Hi mate this is exactly my point that I made to you in the other thread this evening about keeping zebras in pairs, I tend to agree with haroun in what is said about making the difference up with some more cocks as you've got more hens and or according to gender.

However I do strongly suggest in separating any birds that are troublesome of if being bullied, wherever you got this info from about zebras being kept in pairs I really and truly wouldn't necessarily believe in this as some of the very best zebra finch breeders and exhibitors here in England that are very good freinds of mine all keep their birds separately in their own single cages in the birdrooms until it's time to pair them for breeding,

Keeping them on there own is really not a problem but we've also found that as long as they can see other zebras and here them they seem to settle a lot better

[zeebeez]

So you mean that it doesn't matter if they are not all cuddly with another finch, as long as they can socialize with others, they will be fine?

But, that if they are fighting among themselves, there should be more males in order to stop the fighting?

Just making sure I understand. Thanks so much everyone for all the help! I really appreciate it

[Stuart whiting]

zeebeez

Hi mate,

Basically it's trial and error with zebras, you need to learn each one of yer zebras temperament, easier sad than done I know, but the best thing you can possibly do is have a few spare cages on hand, this will help you out massively,

You can keep zebras together by all means but as soon as you see individuals being awkward and start to bully others you can then immediately separate them, the particular bird that you may of separated you can always try a different hen with him a few days or weeks later or visa versa IE introducing a cock bird to a hen that may of previously been separated through being stubborn,

Like I say it's trial and error, it's like trying to find that piece to a jig saw to fit in place,

It takes a lot of learning, time and patience, you won't learn it all over night as Ive personally now been breeding and exhibiting birds for some 36 years and still forever learning about different strategies etc,

The more knowledge yer prepared to learn and teach yerself and gain from others the better you'll become

Be lucky

[haroun]

zeebeez

Hi mate this is exactly my point that I made to you in the other thread this evening about keeping zebras in pairs, I tend to agree with haroun in what is said about making the difference up with some more cocks as you've got more hens and or according to gender.

However I do strongly suggest in separating any birds that are troublesome of if being bullied, wherever you got this info from about zebras being kept in pairs I really and truly wouldn't necessarily believe in this as some of the very best zebra finch breeders and exhibitors here in England that are very good freinds of mine all keep their birds separately in their own single cages in the birdrooms until it's time to pair them for breeding,

Keeping them on there own is really not a problem but we've also found that as long as they can see other zebras and here them they seem to settle a lot better

very interesting , and true i remark that if the Birds are separated and set on thier own in a single box,they will breed more better at breeding saisons
confirmed

[Stuart whiting]

haroun yep mate absolutely

[zeebeez]

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions!