Discouraging Breeding

[hfinney]

Hello! I'm considering getting 4 CFW zebras, but I'm having trouble deciding whether or not to get mixed gender pairs, or all of one gender. I do NOT want to breed. If I get mixed genders but do not put a nest or nesting material in their cage, will that be enough to prevent breeding?

One other question: If I get four males, are they going to get along or am I asking for trouble? And are they going to be too loud all together singing? Their music is beautiful, but I don't want a cacophony of noise (esp. considering I have a male canary and three societies as well).

Thanks for your help!

[wilkifam]

Mixed gender is asking for trouble. Like putting rabbits together and expecting them not to mate. They will mate, and they will lay eggs in food cups or whatever they can. I would stick with all males, and maybe do an odd number. Make sure cage is large, and it has lots of cover, extra food and water dishes, perches and hiding places. Zebras are agressive little buggers. Will squabble, but more so if there are pairs.

[hfinney]

Thank you, Lori. When I got my societies, I was told to keep them in even numbers. But you're saying zebras will do better in an odd number (i.e., an odd number will reduce squabbling)?

And do you think 5 male zebras singing will create a pleasant sound, or will they be too noisy?

Thanks again!

[wilkifam]

Personally, I would not get Zebras, but If I did, I would stick with 3 unless you have a REALLY big flight cage.

[Fraza]

hfinney I think you should get all females I’ve found they get along better and get them in a group of 3 like wilkifam said otherwise they get into two pairs and fight where as a group of three stick together as a pair of 3

I’ve been told keeping males together causes madness aswell so stick with all females

[hfinney]

I do have a really big cage.

Everything I’m reading says that if I have an odd number, they will pair off and pick on the odd bird out. But your real-life experiences are different?

[Fraza]

hfinney yeh I’ve seen that in groups of 4 they spli into seperate pairs and start to fight

Either way it’s easier to get 3 and then get one more if anything goes wrong rather than getting close to them and having to get rid of one

[wilkifam]

I do have a really big cage.

Everything I’m reading says that if I have an odd number, they will pair off and pick on the odd bird out. But your real-life experiences are different?

how big is really big?