Hearing scary stories about Zebras

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 1:59 pm

Amen to that!

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 5:21 am

with zebras it really is personal choice/preference. they truly are a great bird to start finch keeping with. so hardy and resilient. as others said they are easy to feed and very easy to breed. zebras would breed even if all they were fed was seed.
I just wouldnt recomend keeping zebras with any type of finch that is regarded as being passive.
while I wont keep them again myself, good luck to those of you that do have them

gerald · Post by **gerald** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 12:03 pm

For sure

Zebras are still and always have a special place in this hobby. They are one of the best starter birds. If given the the chance they are very rewarding with little disappointment.

As for mixing them up with owls... You should have a big flight or an aviary. Owls finches are very passive and the more aggressive Zebra will take full advantage of them. If you give your owls room to get away, I think you should be Ok...

best of luck

gerald

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 12:23 pm

You know, I have a black cheek zebra finch that was fostered by societies and he is currently the only zebra I have. I've kept him b/c he acts like a society and isn't aggressive at all. I think zebras act like they do b/c of how they are raised...

Plus societies will usually foster just about anyone... so if you want some nice zebras, try fostering!

Post by **Sally** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 5:44 pm

You all know I haven't had much good to say about Zebras lately, and yet I have to admit that they have more personality than most finches. I agree with the others, they just don't mix in a passive collection. It seems like a lot of posts about problems with Zebras result from putting them with the wrong species, putting them in a cage that is too small, or having the wrong number of Zebras (i.e. three in a cage). They are very active birds, so they need lots of room, and overcrowding always brings out the worst in them. They are certainly popular, there was just a big show on the West Coast devoted to Zebras and Societies!

ruth · Post by **ruth** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 4:18 pm

My little Pepe' died today. He was my favourite. I dont know if Im cut out for bird keeping.

hfentj · Post by **hfentj** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 4:36 pm

I am so sorry for your loss. It is amazing how something so tiny can be so special to some of us. You have my heart felt sympathy.

ruth · Post by **ruth** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 4:57 pm

Thank you. Its so nice to have people who understand. My family think Im nuts. I know its nature and Ive lost lots of pets over the years but its horrible when a favorite one goes. He was such a little character.

Geordie · Post by **Geordie** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 6:33 pm

I know how you feel, I was attached to my first Java, Polly, still visit his grave once a month to make sure the stones are still in place and tidy it up. Even got a framed photo of him on top of the cabinet where he died.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 7:38 pm

[quote="ruth"]My little Pepe' died today. He was my favourite. I dont know if Im cut out for bird keeping.
quote]

I say this every time I loose one. I am sorry for your loss.

ruth · Post by **ruth** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:06 am

Thanks folks. Its silly isnt it? Its only a bird. I think that I shouldn't keep animals if I cant cope with them dying but you get so much joy from them. I still cry over having my dog put down last christmas. I dont know why we do it to ourselves.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:54 am

I think that animals who have owners like that are very fortunate!

Post by **Sally** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:21 pm

Oh, Ruth, I am so sorry for your loss. It is always hard to lose a pet, but especially difficult when it is one of our 'special' ones.