Mixing Finch Species?

JBHerps · Post by **JBHerps** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 6:17 pm

Can Zebra Finches be mixed with either Owl or Society Finches?

I would more than Likely get the Owl Finches over the Society.

I have 1.2 Zebra finches right now so Would Adding 1.1 of either of those species be ok? Or would it have to be 1.3?

Thanks a bunch!!

JBHerps · Post by **JBHerps** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:09 pm

Scratch the Owls and Societies *tear*. It appears that my Zebras will be too pushy.

How about a 1.1 of Shaft-tails? Or would it be 1.3?

I would love to see some pics of Shaft-tails too. Also, are they fairly common? Like at bird shows etc...

Thanks!

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:45 pm

Shaft-tails are common at the bird marts and are also in the "pushy" catagory.

JBHerps · Post by **JBHerps** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:02 pm

So 1.1 would mix well?

Thanks!

Also, what is the general price range for them?

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:23 pm

I'm not sure what you mean by 1.1 or 1.3.
Are you talking about sex ratios?

I bought my STs for $50 each and was told it was a bargain. I've seen them for $100 each at PetSmart and $60 each at a bird mart.

JBHerps · Post by **JBHerps** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:26 pm

Yes, The numbers are sex ratios.

male.female.unknown

So say i had 1.3.2. Thats means that I have 1 male, 3 females, and 2 unknown or un-sexed.

Do you know what a good number of Shaft-tails would be for a group of 1.2 Zebras?

Any pics of your Shaft-tails?

So i'm looking at about 120$ for my next bird purchase eh? Hmmm.......

At the bird show they should know which is male and which is female right?

Thanks again!!!

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:36 pm

Are your Zebras really young? If they are at least 3 months old, you should be able to tell the males from females.

Is your idea of mixing the species so you can breed them as well?
Zebras can get very pushy and STs can get pushy and nosy.

My STs are in a cage by themselves. If I had Zebras, well I would never own Zebras again, but if I did, they would be in a cage by themselves too.

Some breeders say that they can tell the difference between a male or female STs, but the best way is to hear the male sing. The guy I bought my STs from gave me two females on accident, but swapped one out for a definite male.

Not sure where you're from, but in the States, $120 should definitely be enough to purchase a pair of STs.

Sorry, not pictures

JBHerps · Post by **JBHerps** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:42 pm

Are your Zebras really young? If they are at least 3 months old, you should be able to tell the males from females.

They are about 6 months I believe. 1.2 for sure.

Is your idea of mixing the species so you can breed them as well?
Zebras can get very pushy and STs can get pushy and nosy.

Breeding would be a plus but I would really like to add some variety. You know...get to see species interaction etc.....

My STs are in a cage by themselves. If I had Zebras, well I would never own Zebras again, but if I did, they would be in a cage by themselves too.

Why would you never own Zebras again?

And any particular reason why the seperation?

Not sure where you're from, but in the States, $120 should definitely be enough to purchase a pair of STs.

Down in sunny Florida

Some breeders say that they can tell the difference between a male or female STs, but the best way is to hear the male sing. The guy I bought my STs from gave me two females on accident, but swapped one out for a definite male.

Uh..oh.....A possibility of failure.

Oh well.

Sorry, not pictures Sad

Thanks anyway!

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:58 pm

I might cause mutany if I told people my opinion on Zebras!
....but you asked, so I'll tell you. They breed like rabbits, so there isn't really a challenge in it for me to breed them. They are almost always the trouble maker in a mixed flight aviary. It's like owning a parakeet, they are too common-place!

I have my STs separated from my Gouldians because the Goulidans are paired up in breeding cages. It would be cool to have a HUGE flight cage for juvenilles for instance, but I want to control the pairing of birds.
The STs are sitting on the counter in my kitchen. There is a lot of commotion obviously and they still manage to lay and incubate eggs so they seem happy.

I feel that if you put Zebras in a mixed flight with nest boxes, or nests, you're just asking for trouble. You can't even put 2 pairs of Zebras in a cage without asking for trouble either!

How big is your cage? Unless you plan on building a large aviary, I wouldn't start mixing species especially if you're trying to breed them.
But, that's just my opinion.

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 5:13 am

my aviary is mixed but no way will I ever have zebras in the main aviary or to put that another way, I would rather not have them at all.
all of my other finches get along great and breed when they are ready I have nests available 8 to 9 months of the year..
I do have zebras in another smaller aviary, but am trying to get rid of them by giving them away as quick as I can, damn things breed to fast though. I dont even make nests available to them they manage to build using anything at all. at present I have a mixture of normal, pied & charcoal zebras plus three nests of babies. some days I wish I could just open the aviary door, but never will cos thats unfair on the birds

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 11:58 am

It's ironic that people are trying to get their Zebras to have babies, and the ones that don't, are havin' them like crazy!

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 1:43 pm

I have a mixed open aviary and I am STILL trying to get homes for my zebras. They are sooooo pushy, nosey and bossy. They lay eggs in everyone else's nest.

I bought my shaftails at a bird fair for 40.00 each. They just had two adorable babies to fledge. They are funny birds and I adore their personalities. I especially love their bobbing up and down.

JBHerps · Post by **JBHerps** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 3:04 pm

See, the thing is that I don't nescessarily want babies but I could handle them. Like...if they do I can take care of them and find homes.

So....would the Shaft-tails be a good mix? They seem to blend with the color scheme too so thats a +.

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 4:00 pm

I think they would be okay as long as you don't have any nests in cage.

JBHerps · Post by **JBHerps** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 4:19 pm

So I should take out the nests?

Would adding nests have the same effect?

More territory etc...