Does my male Finch want a female?

[apachetear]

Hello
i've had my male zebra Finch since march, he was hand tamed and adored being let out and stroked. but in the last week he's been getting increasingly cross with me. making cross noises and even hissed at me once. i'm not sure why?
i'm thinking he's wanting some company in his brand new large cage.
i have another pair of zebra finches who i could put in the cage with him. but as i understand, odd numbers of them wouldn't work.
so should i get a female, and put the other pair in with him?
and how long do you quarantine them for?
thanks in advance

[Sally]

I think with most finches, either two or then six or more in a cage is best. Three to five seems to have more squabbles, and odd numbers don't work with lots of species, as the odd one will be picked on by the others.

As far as quarantining, a lot depends on where I get my birds. The most I usually quarantine is one month, when I don't know anything about the source. The normal quarantine for me is 2-3 weeks. I don't recommend this at all, but I have put birds directly into my population when I know where they came from and know what kind of care they had before. Some breeders quarantine for up to three months. And any time I have a bird get puffy and not well during quarantine, then the quarantine period is started all over.

[L in Ontario]

Most finches and Zebras in particular love company. I agree with Sally and I also quarantine 95% of my birds for four weeks. I too have put birds directly into my birdroom if and when I know they are from a most reliable source with the best conditions.

[apachetear]

Thanks for the replies. i think it's likely i'll get him a female within the next few months. i know this is probably an obvious question but will the presence of another female make him less tame? i'm assuming it will but i thought i'd check.
he's such a sweet little bird i'd still like to be able to handle him now and then.

[L in Ontario]

Yes, when he associates with birds, he will become less tame. The only way I see him staying semi tame at all is with LOTS of time with you too.

[apachetear]

Thanks for your reply. i'm just been and bought a beautiful chestnut flanked white female from my local pet shop. she's in quarantine now and is settling very well. she's very active for a bird i've had for less than a day, most of the time the birds i buy are very quiet and still but she's a noisy active bird.
i decided to buy him a girl in the end as he hates being left on his own while i go somewhere.
thanks for the replies everyone

[lovemyfinch]

Awww, that is so sweet of you to have bought him a girlfriend. I am sure that if you let him, he will thank you many times over with little babies.

[L in Ontario]

Congratulations on your newest fid!