Zebras in quarantine just won't listen!!

williep · Post by **williep** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 3:48 am

I bought 2 new black cheek zebras from a breeder on 10 Feb 08, but they just can't seem to take a hint that they are still in quarantine!

I was testing out a new nest design for which I got the idea when I was walking on one of our building sites. Basically I construct 2 types of nest boxes (half open and hole entry type) from PVC plumbing pipe which is 4-1/4" in diameter and 6-1/2" deep/long. I will share the design with all of you later bur it REALLY works.

I hung the nest on their quarantine cage (one of my breeding cages) without nesting material and left it for a day. The next morning I noticed the male stuffing one or 2 feathers in the nest and decided to take the experiment to the next level. I filled the nest with Teff grass and a couple of feathers and he immediately started to build the nest. Two days later the hen laid the first egg and this morning 2 off the four eggs have hatched.

I couldn't believe it! Less than a month after I acquired them they already produced two offspring, I am so excited and will keep you all posted. I'm not to sure if my new nest design inspired them or if it was just my new breeding cages that I only finished a day before I got them but I can't wait to put more pairs in there. I have 7 breeding cages and 5 are still unused.

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 6:52 am

How interesting "Professor" WillieP.

Sounds like your blackcheeks are ready to be parents!

I can't wait to see pictures of your experimental design.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 8:29 am

Me too, me too! I want to see pics of your set up and those baby-making inspiring 'nestboxes'!! Congratulations

Post by **Sally** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:42 am

Congrats! You've certainly got a proven breeder pair there--I can't imagine them settling in that quickly. We're all probably going to be trying out your nestboxes!

beccafigs · Post by **beccafigs** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 11:26 am

I can't wait to see your nest box design, it sounds interesting. That's funny they bred so fast. Congrats.

williep · Post by **williep** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 2:47 am

TY all, I must admit that the really low quality wooden nest boxes the places sell around here inspired me to search for something else. We pay around $2,50 for one which is not allot but they only last one season before falling apart completely. Bamboo type nests are about $5,50.

The PVC boxes are very strong, easy to wash and disinfect, completely waterproof and weatherproof and they cost me around $2 for the half open and $3 for the hole type.

I will try and post some pics tomorrow.

Back to my "quarantine breakers", the other two eggs both hatched and the babies are doing fine. My male is very lazy though (we are not all like that) and leaves most of the feeding to the hen.

I don't know why they bred so fast, they weren’t even a bonded pair to begin with as I picked them out of separate cages. I've never seen this happen before, my previous record was about 3 months, but I'm not complaining.

beccafigs · Post by **beccafigs** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 11:56 am

That's good that they're all doing well. That's funny that they went straight to breeding like that.

I have a pair of zebras with a chick right now and the hen is really lazy, she doesn't really do anything.

williep · Post by **williep** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 3:42 am

OK, so I finally got around to taking pictures of the nest boxes and the parents, baby pics will follow soon.

Here are the quarantine breakers

And here is my customized and "patented" half open nest box. Notice the curtain wire I use to keep it in place, this is to ensure that it doesn't fall off when I accidentally bump into it. It also hooks on the breeding cage at the top. The back lid is loose so I can remove the white wire to do a nest inspection.

I will do a separate post on the nest boxes.

.

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 7:30 am

Your black cheeks are lovely....I want some too!!

I like your nest setup...very creative!! Isn't pcv wonderful...it has so many uses! I am sure they are much easier to clean and disinfect than wood too!

My Hubby custom cut some extra pvc sewer pipe (never used..of course!) to make a carrier for my Native American Flute and I sewed a fleece cover for it. It works great and was much cheaper than buying a pre-made carrier.

beccafigs · Post by **beccafigs** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 12:07 pm

Your black cheeks are cute, and I look forward to the separate post on the nest boxes, that is a very interesting design.

williep · Post by **williep** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 8:43 am

Ty for the comments on the parents.

I actually picked the cock bird first for my other black cheek in my large aviary but the breeder only sells pairs so I ended up with the hen as well.

I'm so glad I got her because she is really doing a great job and I'm sure they'll end up to be a very good pair as they have already proved.

FH, maybe you can sew covers for my nest boxes too. This will keep the birds warm and we can do a range of designs to fit everybody's taste. Looks like I might have found a partner and together we can become rich!! O, wait, too late I already shared the design, dope!!!

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 10:03 am

LOL....Williep......Yup....you really blew our chance to earn millions of dollars...darn!!

It would be fun to paint some designs on the nest boxes....like ivy leaves or flowers....or maybe a Minnesota Vikings Football Logo...

Oh well...back to buying lottery tickets....why I don't know....I guess I just like donating to the next millionaire.

williep · Post by **williep** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 2:04 am

Update:

I'm very excited as two of the babies fledged yesterday. The other two are still in the nest but I'm sure today will be their big day as well.

moe moe2 · Post by **moe moe2** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 8:40 am

wow that a total of 10 days

is it the black cheeks specie or just your good care that making them fair so well

congrats

williep · Post by **williep** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 9:21 am

LOL moe moe 2,

I whish I could take credit for this but I really believe that they are just an extraordinary pair, especially the hen. Like I mentioned, I wasn't even going to get her but she came with the package.

I think that there are some contributing factors though.

1. I provide quite large breeding cages that are closed on 3 sides (48"x28"x26"high)
2. I provide a balanced diet (according to my best knowledge)
3. I include a lot of eggs and sunflower seeds in my wet mix (I believe the high protein encourages breeding)
4. I rarely disturb my birds, once a day to feed them and once at night to close the breeding room

But I think it mostly depends on the pair, after all, and I think a lot of people have learned this: YOU CAN’T FORCE A PAIR TO BREED