A new companion?

[LaurieW]

Suddenly, and quite by accident, one of our zebra finches drowned this afternoon. He was a sweet, chubby chatterbox, inquisitive and very silly to the last. Needless to say, I cried.

He leaves behind another male, acquired at the same time from the same shop - a shy, slight boy who flies like Lindberg. He's been awfully quiet, and seems to spend his time just looking around the cage.

Therein lies the problem: as he's now a solo colony bird, I know he'd do well to have a new friend, but when? Should we provide him with a new companion before the week is out? Later? Sooner?

As an aside, can anyone give me an indication of the possible age of our late boy? He was bred in the UK, and wore a closed yellow band on his left leg.

Thanks,

L.

[poohbear]

You won't find the age of your bird unless it was a leg ring from the Zebra Finch Society....That aside go and get a companion for your remaining bird now.No point in waiting...get him a friend now.
Paul.

[atarasi]

Paul,
Aren't there finch societies that have closed rings that are color coordinated aside from the Zebra Finch Society?

I agree, get him a companion. Finches are very sociable and enjoy their own kind.

[poohbear]

[quote="atarasi"]Paul,
Aren't there finch societies that have closed rings that are color coordinated aside from the Zebra Finch Society?

Yep...With respect I just figured the subject too complicated for a pet keeper...even a regular breeder would spend ages sorting out what was what and from where.Unfortunately they don't all pick the same colours for the same year.


Paul.

[LaurieW]

Thanks to you both for your help - I'll see about getting Beep a new cage-mate as soon as I can.

Thanks also for the info about leg banding: without any information about the breeder, I'm afraid there's no way I can delve any deeper into his provenance. It was more an idle thought than anything else - I just miss the little guy.

L.

[dfcauley]

Sorry for your loss. I can feel your pain..... I lost my dog this morning that I have had for 14 years. What an emptiness.....(a lab).

Do get him a friend as soon as possible. Finches do not like to be alone.

[B CAMP]

Donna sorry to here about your dog 14 years thats a long time,but he had A good life with you I am sure of that

[L in Ontario]

I'm so sorry to hear about your puppy (all dogs are puppies to me) passing away this morning, Donna. It's always very difficult as they are such a part of our families!

[jamezyboo21]

Sorry for your losses donna and LaurieW. I lost my orange cheek waxbill and shortly after went his mate. I dont know what happened but everyone else is good. I dont know if i will get anymore till i build an aviary.

[dfcauley]

Donna sorry to here about your dog 14 years thats a long time,but he had A good life with you I am sure of that

Thanks all..... it was a sad day for me. Found her as I left to go to work very ill so hubby and I tooik her to the vet to have her put to sleep. She had been sick a while so her suffering is ended. But it is such a great loss when you had them so long and miss them so much.

[L in Ontario]

Hi Laurie, Just wondering if you got a new friend for Beep? Would love to see pics.

[franny]

Sorry for your loss. I can feel your pain..... I lost my dog this morning that I have had for 14 years. What an emptiness.....(a lab).

Do get him a friend as soon as possible. Finches do not like to be alone.

Donna, I'm so sorry for your loss. (I lost my shih tzu 3 months ago at age 11 1/2).

Laurie, I agree that a new mate is the way to go though. As hard as it is to lose them, they are such great fun - both the dogs and finches...but in entirely different ways! So we just keep having to keep them, in spite of the down times. It's mostly good times outweighing the sad, though, eh? .

[dfcauley]

So we just keep having to keep them, in spite of the down times. It's mostly good times outweighing the sad, though, eh? .

I never say "I am never getting another dog" because the joy they bring to me is too great. But death comes to us all. I doesn't make it any easier to swallow though.

[Dusty]

((((((( Hugs ))))))))))))