Single male Zebra nest question

[lifeofbrian]

I bought my male Zebra a nest to occupy him since his buddy died about a year ago, he's really starting to build it with nesting fibre and millet stalks. My question is about hygiene, the nesting fibre is clean but there is some poop around the outside of the nest, should I be too concerned?

[cindy]

I would simply go into the cage and wipe it down with white vinegar and water or you can clean it out from time to time by removing the nest.

[Sheather]

I'll add that this isn't a good nest for a zebra, something enclosed would be better for him.

[lnlovesorange]

lifeofbrian Is your male zebra all alone? You said his buddy died, does that mean he is the only bird you have? Zebras do better with friends, at least one other finch. Just wondering if he has other birds around him, or if you are planning on getting more. He is probably building this nest to try to win a mate. And I agree, you can just clean the poop off. I get nervous if my birds step in it... or whatever. Even my baby birds before they fledged, they wouldn't poop in the nest, they backed their butts up to the hole in the back, and pooped out it!!! Smart little buggers!!! LOL. Anyhow, i hope your zebra does have a friend, and good luck to him on the nest building!!!

[lifeofbrian]

I also have a cockatiel who is 4 1/2, I don't mix them, but occasionally the cockatiel will sit on top of the finches cage and talk to him. I have been thinking about getting a couple more finches, and I will remove the nest. My finch is 4 years old.

lifeofbrian Is your male zebra all alone? You said his buddy died, does that mean he is the only bird you have? Zebras do better with friends, at least one other finch. Just wondering if he has other birds around him, or if you are planning on getting more. He is probably building this nest to try to win a mate. And I agree, you can just clean the poop off. I get nervous if my birds step in it... or whatever. Even my baby birds before they fledged, they wouldn't poop in the nest, they backed their butts up to the hole in the back, and pooped out it!!! Smart little buggers!!! LOL. Anyhow, i hope your zebra does have a friend, and good luck to him on the nest building!!!

[lovezebs]

lifeofbrian

What a lovely Tiel. He looks so calm and sweet. And are those your two Zebras, before the one died ? Handsome boys.

I would also recommend a companion, but seeing as your boy is a bit on the older side, I'm not sure how he would take to a younger friend. It's hard to say.

Other than that, I would let him have fun nest building. It keeps him occupied, then why not? Of course you can remove the nest and clean it. You could also try a different type of a nest, or even a nest box (as Dylan mentioned) to keep him entertained with something new and challenging.

~Elana~

[lifeofbrian]

That's Mr Snuggles in the main pic, he looks sweat there, but he's a monster (in a good way), he's very cheeky, and even has an evil laugh. The finch on the left (Oliver) is the remaining one, he seems happy enough, very active, and the Blue and Great Tits that live outside sometimes hover outside the window near his cage, but I do worry about both of my birds loneliness. I was thinking about adding 2 or 3 new finches, does sex matter?

lifeofbrian

What a lovely Tiel. He looks so calm and sweet. And are those your two Zebras, before the one died ? Handsome boys.

I would also recommend a companion, but seeing as your boy is a bit on the older side, I'm not sure how he would take to a younger friend. It's hard to say.

Other than that, I would let him have fun nest building. It keeps him occupied, then why not? Of course you can remove the nest and clean it. You could also try a different type of a nest, or even a nest box (as Dylan mentioned) to keep him entertained with something new and challenging.

~Elana~

[lnlovesorange]

lifeofbrian Oh, I love your Tiel! He is adorable!!! I want one SOOO Bad... I just love their personalities, obviously I'm sure they are ALL different. If I got one I would want one young from a breeder, not a pet store, as my experience with pet stores, is they don't know much about the birds history.... or anything really... anyway, that aside. He is gorgeous!!! How old is he? Also, I agree with Elana, i know my male zebra LOVES nest building. I try not to encourage it too much right now, as he has a female in his cage with him, but in your case encourage away!! Espeically where he doesn't have another finch to hang with, the nest building is keeping him busy and probably happy! And like i said, just wipe the poop off no biggie! Your zebras are lovely also, sorry you lost one, it is terrible losing a loved one. But I'm so happy you put thes photos up. I always feel when I see photos of people's birds It makes me feel like I "know" them better.... i know... I'm a little strange, but I just feel like I am welcomed into someone's life when they share a photo. So thank you! And, as for your Tiel he is precious. I may be PM'ing to learn more about his care and such, as I have wanted one for quite a while now, but unfortunately my love of finches has taken up all the room in my house for birds!!! So no tiels for a while, but I do want to know what they are like and what their care involves... so now I know I can ask you!!! Thanks again! And good luck with your little carpenter Zebra!!!
As I was posting this you posted your most recent reply, so I will say this. Sex doesn't usually matter HOWEVER if you get a female... they are PROLIFIC breeders, so they may do the dance o' love and if you don't want eggs... you may NOT want a female. Males, USUALLY will get along together in a cage, I've heard that Zebras can be nasty, so obviously like with anything there would be a period of adjustment and you'd have to closely moniter them, especially where your boy is older, and probably set in his ways. But, as I said usually males will fine together in a cage, as long as there are no ladies to fight over!