The right size cage?

[Nanajennie]

Hi, I have a pair of zebra's. I am new to this and hope I am doing everything right. They have six eggs, and are being very attentive and responsible. My question/concern is: Is my cage large enough for 8 birds (until the babies are sold/given away)

I would appreciate any help

Thanks!

[EyesofFreedom]

Honestly in my opinion I would get another cage so once they are totally independant you can move them into another cage... the reason being alot of times the parent may become somewhat aggressive towards the chicks especially if they plan to start a new clutch...

[debbie276]

Hearing all the zebra finch aggression stories you may be better off if you separate the chicks out when they are eating on their own. I probably would wait and see and remove them only if there were a problem.
That cage appears to be big enough from the picture for a family group till you sell or give away the young.
Good luck

[Nanajennie]

Thanks Will and Debbie. I plan of getting rid of all the chicks that survive and either the hen or male after everyone is ready. How do we know when the chicks are ready to be given away?

This is very helpful and a lot of fun!

Jennie

[EyesofFreedom]

The chicks are ready to go out on thier own when they are feeding completely by themselves for a few days...

As far as getting rid of an adult thats a way to curb more babies however I must suggest not to keep a Zebra in solitary... it will die of lonliness

Maybe you could keep two hens... mom and daughter

[Nanajennie]

Oh! Perfect advise. Thank you Will. (I never intended on leaving one alone but did wonder how the transition should happen) A mother daughter would be perfect. I hear two males are not always ideal? is that true?

[henrietta]

From my personal experience with zebras, after they had their one baby they attacked it as soon as it was eating on its own, so if I had it to do over again I would have tossed the eggs (which is what I have done ever since that). But if you are too soft-hearted to do that, I would advise separating them or they will fight constantly. In my case, for a while it wasn't very aggressive, just loud and annoying and you could tell the birds were stressed out.

If they will only be there for a short time, it will probably be fine though, just annoying! lol

Also, keep in mind that 6 eggs doesn't necessarily mean 6 babies. My zebras laid 6 eggs, 2 hatched, and only 1 made it to adulthood.

[Sally]

The one thing I would add is that when the babies are weaned, they not only need to be eating completely on their own, but also drinking water. They will start to sample food within days after fledging, but until they are completely independent, they need to stay with the parents.

[EyesofFreedom]

A mother daughter would be perfect. I hear two males are not always ideal? is that true?

Yes that is correct.. two males can become aggressive...

[Ria]

Lol, I have to say I've heard plenty of others say that their girls fight much worse than the boys. Personally, i never had two boys together, but my pair of females could get quite nasty. Every zebra is an individual - trial and error is often the only way to find which pair works best for you. Be mindful that if the same-sex pair can hear/see the opposite sex, that can contribute to aggression/frustration among them too. Some zebras are just wonderful, and get along fine. Others are total terrors.... Hope yours do well!

[Vargur]

I dont think two males are more aggressive than something else.
Males can be best friends, I have never seen them fight more than
females.
I have four males together.
One of them cannot fly (bought him like that, didnt know)
and one of my males, Silfri, is his best friend.
He is always with him, on the bottom of the cage,
he proons him and sleeps with him, follows him everywere,
very cute relationship.