Aviary and finch question

adiekaty · Post by **adiekaty** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 2:34 pm

Well here I am again with ANOTHER question....
Building and outdoor aviary and would love to add to my pair of Zeb's...

Just heard that if the Zeb's are in the aviary with other species they will tear up the nest of the other pairs and only the Zeb's will be able to breed...
1st I have heard of this... What is your experience with mixing. I know the Zeb's are considered aqqressive, but figured they could be housed
together and the others breed also.
Should I have a divider put in the cage?
Thanks,
adiekaty

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 2:37 pm

I think every cage/aviary should have a divider in it, if only to make catching the birds easier.

As to whether Zebs are too agressive - it depends on what other species you put them with. I would imagine that they may well take over or destroy nests of other species if they won't stand up for themselves.

adiekaty · Post by **adiekaty** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 2:40 pm

I was thinking Societies and possibly Owls.... What would you recommend as good roommates?

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 2:43 pm

I had two zebras. They were my first two finches. Personally I would not put them with other finches. I had to remove them from my aviary.
They created havoc! They were chasing all the other birds around and getting into their nest. They were fearless of any of the other birds.

I know many people here love zebras. I did too when that was all I had.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 2:48 pm

Me too, me too - a pair of Zebras were my first ever birds (only about 3-4 years ago) and they were all I ever wanted! HA - look where it's gotten me!!

Now my daughter has that same pair of Zebras and she's had to separate them from her aviary as they were getting just too agressive towards the others (including Owls, GB Waxbills, Cordon Bleus, Gouldians and PT Whydahs).

jamezyboo21 · Post by **jamezyboo21** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:42 pm

I had a pair of zebras in my mixed flight and they never bother anyone. They werent even aggressive to the other finches and their nests and the zebras even started their own nest but they never fed the babies.

franny · Post by **franny** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 1:23 pm

I guess in a large enough flight/aviary it might not be a problem, but if you seriously want to breed the others, I also think it's best to keep the zebras separated.

adiekaty · Post by **adiekaty** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 1:31 pm

Thanks everyone... I am so glad I asked this question...
I love love love my Zeb's... So not an option to rehome...

I am thinking a divider... That would work...
I'm not sure I will try to mix now that I have this info.
Even if the others dont breed (fine by me) I don't want the Zeb's terrorizing them and tearing up the nest that they worked so hard on...
Thanks,
Adrienne

Gould's are too complicated for me... What do you all think besides the Society (which I want to add) would be good to get....

I love the Owls... Are those a semi-beginner finch... What do you all recommend?

Thanks,
Adiekaty

franny · Post by **franny** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 1:43 pm

I once had black masked grass finches but had to rehome them due to a move. They were very pretty with bright yellow beaks the color of yellow crayons (I called them the cad-yellow trio.) You don't see them too often here in Canada, but they are very nice finches. Very pretty, calm, and easy going.

I also like the mannikins like black headed/white headed nuns and others. I imagine they are similar in temperament to Spice finches. Not great singers, and not even very colorful, but I love the sleek look of them. And they are not so nervous around people, like the waxbills. They are pretty easy keepers, too, IMO.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 2:19 pm

I think you would love owls. They are fairly hardy.

adiekaty · Post by **adiekaty** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 2:25 pm

Thats what I am leaning towards.... Found someone an hour away and she should have babies in the spring....
Thats the plan.... and the other I will go with is a pair of Societies..
Should have done research 1st and started with those not Zeb's... But like I said... I love my Zeb's and now can just go forward from here....
Thanks again everyone.....
Adiekaty

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:43 pm

Are you planning to put the owls in with the zebras? If so, you will need to be sure there is plenty of room for the owls to get away from the zebras if they should start messing with them.

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:00 pm

There is a great guide that lists how aggressive finches are together in a flight at the Finch Information Center:

http://www.finchinfo.com/housing/compatible_species.php

Hope that helps.

adiekaty · Post by **adiekaty** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 9:35 am

I am having a divider put in.... That way the Zeb's can only think about harrassing the other guys....

Thanks for the link... I have looked before and thought the Zeb's would be o.k. housed with other Finches, but now the divider is the route I am taking......
Thanks again,
Adiekaty

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 11:10 am

adiekaty wrote:
Thanks for the link... I have looked before and thought the Zeb's would be o.k. housed with other Finches, but now the divider is the route I am taking......