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Conference 7.286::pet_birds

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

301.0. "Need Advice on Raising Zebra Finches" by CPSR2::SIPILA (Can I go home now?) Thu Jan 04 1990 11:59

    Good Morning,
    
    I am new to this conference and need some advice about raising Zebra
    Finches.
    
    My neice has a breeding pair who had a clutch of four eggs.  At
    a weaker moment I agreed to take two after they had hatched and
    were old enough to fend for themselves.
    
    Well, three eggs have hatched.  One baby bird died.  So she has
    two babies and one yet unhatched egg.
    
    It was interesting to know that the Daddy bird brought the dead
    baby out of the nest and put it in the food cup.  Is this common
    for domestic birds to do? 
    
    None of us know to much about birds and need some advice.  Are they
    as finicky as some other birds?  Should we just leave them alone
    and let them do their own thing?
    
    These birds of hers are really pampered - the best food, a light
    over their cage for extra warth - their cage is large and is just 
    in the right area, etc.
    
    Any and all advice about raising them would be appreciated.
    
    I am looking forward to raising my own little birds but have a lot
    of questions.          
    
    I can be reached reached through this note, or mail can be sent
    directly to me at CPSR2::Sipila.
    
    Thanks in advance.
    
    Reagrds,
    
    Susan
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
301.1bugs & wormsSVCRUS::KROLLThu Jan 04 1990 16:4712
    feed lots of meal worms.  I used to put the meal worms in fresh
    un rosted wheat germ and place the dish in the bottom of the cage.
    not only did they feed the worms but they ate the wheat germ too.
    
    after 6 months and an increase from 2 to 10 birds I decided that
    zebra finches are not for me.  swaped them for a couple of green
    singing finches and had the same problem again.  swaped all 15 for
    parrots and the rest is history.
    
    At evening time I would put a night light over the cage and the
    flying bugs would be attracted.  It is a lot of fun seeing the birds
    go after the bugs.
301.2a trick to feeding worms?NYFS04::CHERYLCheryl Lee CorrellTue Jan 09 1990 15:287
    re -.1
    
    I have tried feeding my finches (zebra) meal worms in wheat germ
    several times....they refuse them ... is there a trick?  
    
    Cheryl (who's one pair of zebras has produced zillions of healthy
    babies)
301.3wait until they feed checksSVCRUS::KROLLTue Jan 09 1990 16:342
    mine did not eat them at first eather it took about 2 days of feeding
    out of chicks.
301.4Birdie birth control?SUCCES::AMESTue Jan 09 1990 20:4015
    re: .1
    
    What did you do to have your green singing finches breed? I have
    a pair that in a year have shown no interest. I know that they're
    male and female, but they couldn't care less. They have a reasonable
    sized cage and are allowed to fly free a good part of the time.
    They get good food too. 
    
    Huh, must be a new form of birdie birth control I've found. My zebra's
    (when I had them) laid like crazy, in the same space.
    
    What's the secret?
    
    Thanks,
    Lianne
301.5MEAL WORMSBOSHOG::MOTTAWed Jan 31 1990 13:446
    Where do you buy meal worms?  Are they alive or dead when you get
    them and feed them to the birds?
    
    Sounds kinda' gross to me....hahaha
    
    Steph
301.6Meal worms at the pet storeNYFS05::CHERYLCheryl Lee CorrellWed Feb 07 1990 11:3713
    I bought them at the store I buy my seed at (in PA).  They keep them in
    the refridgerator to keep them dormant.  Trying to feed them to the
    birds didn't gross me out, but storing worms in my fridge sure did. 
    I'm glad they don't like them.
    
    They do, however, LOVE monkey chow.  I let a piece of it soak up a
    little water and they tear it apart....Even my dog gets in the act and
    wants a piece of chow.  
    
    Good luck with the worms,
    
    Cheryl
301.7Help on Raising FinchesCPSR2::SIPILACan I go home now?Wed Feb 07 1990 12:1313
    How long does it take before the baby Zebra Finches get their adult
    feathers?  
    
    Also, what publications are available about raising finches?  The
    two bird magazine I have found cater more to larger birds.  
    
    Thanks for your help.
    
    Regards,
    
        Susan
301.8Short ChildhoodNYFS05::CHERYLCheryl Lee CorrellWed Feb 07 1990 12:579
    1 week after they are born (hatched) they look like real birdies...
    
    2 weeks after they are born, they leap from the nest.
    
    During the first week, they change so much...you can almost see the
    feathers growing in.
    
    Cheryl
301.9New Baby FinchCRONIC::HOOVERDEBBIEWed May 16 1990 17:0521
    
    	Hi....
    
    		My two zebras have been laying eggs for what seems forever
    	and now they have finally hatched one.  I was so excited but I am
    	a little concerned since they have laid another egg since this baby
    	hatched.  I thought that while they were taking care of this one
    	that they would not lay anymore.  After so long I would be heart
    	broken if this one dies, but he seems to be doing good so they 
    	must be taking care of him.  I check him out in the nest every
    	morning when his parents are out and I can see the change from day
    	to day.  I am only feeding them seed and hard boiled eggs at this
    	time.  I do give them vitamins in their water and on their food.
    	Should I be giving them anything else to be sure that my baby will
    	be okay??  Also, should I be worried about the new eggs being
    	laid??
    
    
    	Thanks
    
    	Debbie