Zebra finches

[zipzapzipperzoom]

I'm possibly planning to purchase some Zebra finches in the near future. Wondering if I have to keep them in pairs or if I can keep two males together. I don't like dealing with eggs or breeding and they will be company for my Bourke Parakeet. Housed separately of course.

Planning to house them indoors in a 30x18x18 cage.

I have kept Society Finches in the past and tamed them enough for free flight time out of the cage. They were very tame finches. Planning to do the same with my Zebras. I'm just trying to choose a finch that i can sex visually.

just don't want to get anything that will be aggressive towards my Bourke parakeet, and since no females will be present, there should not be any aggression.

Tell me about your experience with keeping Zebras. Thank you!


Thank you!

[cindy]

Personally bourkes do better with their own kind as companions. Zebras can be pushy and annoying, two males may or may not get along, one may try to be dominant over the other. Two hens you run the risk of them dropping eggs.

I housed bourkes in an aviary (indoors) with owls, they tend to stick to their own kind but will sleep next to each other. Companionship is always better with the same species. a single bourke not tamed will get depressed, a tamed bourke needs attention enough not to get bored, lonely. You can do the same sex with bourkes.

[Stuart whiting]

zipzapzipperzoom

Hi there,

I'd be inclined to agree with Cindy on this one

I think what may be better for you would be bengalese ( society finches ) as these birds are probably the most placid of all birds that I know of,
quite a few breeders of these birds actually do keep cock birds together without to many problems,

Obviously no two birds will ever be the same and minor bickering could possibly happen but in general the bengalese are hardly ever aggressive in any way

[paul-inAZ]

I agree with the others -a zebra and Bourke mix is not what I'd do. Pushy and nervous will collide with calm and peaceful.

My neighbor got a couple of Bourkes from me and a short time later wanted something to add to them. I gave them two Bengalese [societies] and the 4 birds live peacefully in a 30x18x18 cage. They get along so well that she says the societies have adopted some of the behavior patterns of the Bourkes. They get up early, stay up late and nap midday alongside the Bourkes.
The societies are a m/F pair but with no nest have shown no interest in breeding.
As a bonus they all seem to thrive on the same cockatiel seed mix so there is no need to provide separate finch mix as you might have to do for the smaller zebras.

[zipzapzipperzoom]

Great advice!! Thank you. I do love society finches.