What are the odds?

[wilkifam]

I'm keeping most of my Society Finch Hens in my large kitchen flight cage for the winter months. I also had 2 male shaft tail finches that I decided to put in there also, instead of keeping them in a small 30" wide cage.

Can these two species hybridize? If so, I will remove any eggs I find.

[finchmix22]

wilkifam
I would hope the Shaftails wouldn't try to breed with Society hens because of the size difference; however, I don't have experience with Shaftails. Hopefully, someone who breeds them can comment.

[lovezebs]

wilkifam
I think they should be okay. I have my Male Shaft Tail in a flight with Zebras, and have had no problems. Then again, these are Zebras and you have Socies.... Also, just to be on the safe side, I wouldn't put any nests in there..

[Zebrafincher]

I heard about a pigeon-cross hybrid produced with a very small male, and very large female in an aviary (read about it online). The owner didn't think they could mate!

Similar size or lack of it won't stop a male trying! Physical proximity, or lack of it, probably is the only way to stop them mating.

Good Luck

Zebrafincher
Proud owner of:
*Kevin aka “The Old Man” – very cranky canary – 13 years old and rules the Roost!
*Beaky aka “Beaky Beak” the Zebrafinch – 1 year old – and a real, real cutie!!!
*Merlin aka “Merl” the Starfinch – 3 ½ years old – and “bossy as anything for such a small fry!”

[wilkifam]

I plan to have two nest boxes in the flight, simply because the kitchen is on the colder side, and i want them to be able to pile in and be warm at night.

[MiaCarter]

Yeah, size differential has never been a big deterrent for mating.

(I once encountered a chihuahua-lab mix, another time a chihuahua-pit bull mix....large-small blends that seem like they shouldn't work!)

I don't think you'll have any issues, especially if you omit the nest.
I've kept societies with shafttails (and others, like stars, zebras and white- and black-headed nuns) and I never had any hybrids. No real eggs to speak of, for that matter, when I've done community cages without a nest.