I just adopted a Zebra Finch & have a few question!!

[ShannTmw]

[album][album]I just adopted a Zebra Finch from my work. I work at a pet store and this finch had been injured, I'm not sure how but she ended up with a broken wing. Most likely her elbow joint, which causes her wing to hang a bit off. I felt terrible that no one wanted her and fell in love with her little beeping!
My main question is would it be okay to get another finch or would she be bullied for the wing? I don't know anything about birds except what Ive been looking up and I know some other kinds will pick on the weaker ones, would it be safe?
I know she's lonely and wants a friend! She's constantly sitting in front of her mirror and beeping at herself...
I'm so new to this and def need some advice. If i need to get another finch I am absolutely fine with that!
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[lovezebs]

ShannTmw

Hello, and welcome to the Forum.

I think it was very kind of you to adopt this little girl .

To answer your question...

Finches by nature are very social creatures, and do better in pairs or groups. Because your little girl is somewhat disabled, I would not advise another Zebra Finch (Zebras, can be aggressive, and may pick on a weaker individual). I would however recommend a female Society Finch as a companion.

Society Finches, are wonderful, loving little birds.
A Society will be a great companion to your girl. They will snuggle together, preen each other, and enjoy each other's company once they get to know each other.

Good luck, and enjoy your little feathered kid.

[Icearstorm]

ShannTmw

Definitely get another finch; lonely birds can become depressed. Like lovezebs said, society finches are both passive and gregarious, so they're the ideal choice. A female society would prevent hybridization, though a male should also be compatible.

In addition to seed and water, make sure the bird has ground oyster shell, eggshell, or a cuttlebone available at all times for calcium. Provide some greens and cooked egg every few days, as well.

[ShannTmw]

Thanks!!
I'm going to have to find a place near that sells other kinds of finches, we only get zebras at my place. I love her already and can tell she's lonely and definitely want to find her a friend. I'll call around. I live in a smaller town with only a few pet stores.
If i had another cage and another bird in that would that make a difference? Last case if I can't find a society finch? I always try to sell our finches in pairs but sometimes people don't want two, if I put one in a cage next to hers would it help?
I have a cuttlebone for her and read about the eggs, shell too? What kind of greens should I try?
Thanks so much for getting back to me, I've been trying to find as much information as I can. She is so sweet and I want her to be as happy as possible.

[Sheather]

Another female zebra finch will most likely work.
If it doesn't, trade it in for another. Find a personality that fits. Zebras can be aggressive, but all the individuals vary.

Males are the more apt to be aggressive.

[lovezebs]

ShannTmw

Usually Societies are fairly easy to come by even in small towns.

Another bird in another cage would not really fulfill the need for closeness that these birds crave, although it would be better than nothing.

Regarding diet...
Good quality Finch seed.
Hard boiled egg for protein, shells for Calcium
Greens and veggies, such as kale, broccoli, romaine lettuce, some spinach, parsley, corn, peas, red Swiss chard, grated carrots, cucumber, etc. Some birds enjoy some fruit as well, such as a bit of apple, banana, halved grapes, and so on.

[Fraza]

Yeh get another one a society’s and I actually think she is a boy, are those black cheeks

[ShannTmw]

Yeah. Black cheeks. I'll try to get a better picture, I guess I just assumed it was a female because she didn't have the orange on the cheeks. Plus thats what I was told. So I'm not even sure about the sex to be honest.
I don't want babies so I need to figure out whether or not she's a she or a he LOL.

[ShannTmw]

I tried to get a better pic of her or him? I'm a little confused on how to tell.

[ShannTmw]

Another one here

[ShannTmw]

How hard is it to clip their nails? How should I hold her to do it? I know they need to be done...

[Fraza]

ShannTmw yep she’s a boy haha atleast now u can get an orange cheek aswell and no babies will appear and it does look quite hard to clip nails but watch a few videos on YouTube
and after You’ve done one nail the others it won’t seem that hard nice finch btw I have a black cheek aswell

[lovezebs]

ShannTmw

Hi again,

What you have, is a Black Cheek Zebra GIRL by the looks of things.

Here is a site, which will tell you more about Black Cheek Zebras:

http://www.zebrafinch.com/NewZebra/BlackCheek.html

Regarding nail trimming, here is a site which you may find helpful:

http://www.finchinfo.com/health/trimmin ... _beaks.php

I know it can be a bit nerve racking the first time, but once you get the idea of it, it can be done in just a couple of minutes.

Good luck, and let us know how you made out .

[Fraza]

lovezebs didn’t even know you could get black cheeked girls I want one now are they rare ? Never seen kne

[lovezebs]

Fraza

If you read through the site I posted Fraser, you can learn more about the Black Cheeks. It's quite interesting (gonna get you reading yet, my young friend, lol).