| Title: | Captive Breeding for Conservation--and FUN! |
| Notice: | INTROS 6.X / FOR SALE 13.X / Buying a Bird 900.* |
| Moderator: | VIDEO::PULSIFER |
| Created: | Mon Oct 10 1988 |
| Last Modified: | Tue Jun 03 1997 |
| Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Number of topics: | 942 |
| Total number of notes: | 6016 |
I have 3 pairs of zebra finches in a 24x20x24 inch cage. This cage
seemed large enough at first but as spring approaches I've noticed that
my little guys are spending more time pulling out each others neck
feathers than I would like to see.
I don't have a nest in the cage and I don't want babies. I don't have
space for a larger set up so I was considering selling/giving them to
the man that runs the local grain store since he has a large aviary to
house his finches.
My problem with this is; I have one female finch that I believe to be
quite old. When I got her, the breeder said her finches were all
between 1 and 5 years old and I think Cleo is indeed an old bird. Her
eyes seem wrinkled compared to the others and she has never bonded with
any of the males. She spends her time alone, trying to stay away from
the others. She is healthy, eats like a horse, bathes and plays but
usually by herself. I never see her preening the other birds or they
preening her.
I just can't let this one go. I feel she has not much interest in
breeding or being in a stressful state with lots of other birds around
her for competition. I would like to keep Cleo but send the others off
to produce as they all seem to want to do lately.
If I keep Cleo alone, will she be lonely? Can I keep her with my male
canary? He free flies each day in the bird room and the first place he
goes is to the finch cage. He seems to enjoy their company. Can a
finch and a canary live happily together or does a finch absolutely,
positively need the company of another finch?
I want to give Cleo and happy old age, free from stress with a
companion that will compliment her and not compete with her. Is this
possible?
Jeanne
| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 656.1 | BRAT::BOURGAULT | Thu Feb 06 1992 17:52 | 6 | ||
I would try the two together, cautiously. Keep a very close eye on
them for the first couple of weeks. Male canaries aren't too agressive
so it might work out. Just don't move the zebra into the canary's
cage, but rather give them a new cage. Birds can be very territorial
with their cage and he might take it as an invasion of his home and
the poor little
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| 656.2 | A quiet home for Cleo | SALSA::DEFRANCO | Tue Mar 03 1992 17:41 | 22 | |
Well, I finally made a decision. Last weekend, I sold two pairs of
finches and kept good but "old" Cleo and one of the males that seemed
to be her partner.
Cleo and Theo are now living in the flight cage by themselves and seem
quite happy. The six finches were so noisy and dirty compared to just
the two of these. I guess this proves that more is not always better.
I really felt badly about selling the other finches because they were
really my most beautiful (whites and silvers) but I know it was the
best thing I could do for all of them.
Cleo has perked up and seems much more interested in her mate. Who
knows, she may still have some life left to her after all.
As for the canary, Mario, well he just loves to sit on top of the finch
cage and I think he is very envious of their nest. Maybe I'll give him
a nest too. No mate though, just a nest!
Jeanne
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