Zebra Finch Issue

ring6992 · 03-31-2012, 09:47 AM

I raise zebra finches as a "side hobby". I only have one pair, which suits me fine. However I have had an issue arise with them.
I bought Lewis and Airinet about 2 years ago. They did beautifully together and had several healthy batches of babies.
Sadly, I had to have Airinet euthanized about two months ago.
So to fill the "gap" in Lewis' heart, I purchased Mary.
Mary is very healthy, and she and Lewis hit it off very quickly. I'd say they even got along better than he and Airinet did!
However, he has recently started to attack her. He chases her around the cage and pecks her. While he isnt hurting her I am still worried.
I didnt have a nest in with them, so she had laid about 3 eggs on the bottom of the cage, which he seemed to be keeping her away from... maybe.
So I pulled the eggs out and he seemed to forget his woes with Mary.
A couple of days later, I put in a nest to see how they would do with a family. Lewis loves building up the nest, and raising little ones so I figured they may bond over this.
Well they were doing just splendidly preparing the nest (there is one egg in it so far) until today where my husband said that Lewis is chasing her again.
What could be going on? He doesnt mind if she goes in or near the nest/egg he is just chasing her.
I dont know what to do!

flexy · 03-31-2012, 05:18 PM

The male Zebra finches take care of the eggs the females just waits .He is protecting his eggs .I would seperate them male /female until the eggs hatch . Just keep her close by .

ring6992 · 04-01-2012, 09:02 AM

That seems odd. He and my last female shared duties. Maybe he has changed his mind.

flexy · 04-02-2012, 10:45 AM

Males sit on the eggs and take care of them .Its the male who teach the younger males to sing . They are very protective of their nest .

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03-31-2012, 09:47 AM
ring6992 Halter broke Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: St. Andrews, Scotland Posts: 166	Zebra Finch Issue I raise zebra finches as a "side hobby". I only have one pair, which suits me fine. However I have had an issue arise with them. I bought Lewis and Airinet about 2 years ago. They did beautifully together and had several healthy batches of babies. Sadly, I had to have Airinet euthanized about two months ago. So to fill the "gap" in Lewis' heart, I purchased Mary. Mary is very healthy, and she and Lewis hit it off very quickly. I'd say they even got along better than he and Airinet did! However, he has recently started to attack her. He chases her around the cage and pecks her. While he isnt hurting her I am still worried. I didnt have a nest in with them, so she had laid about 3 eggs on the bottom of the cage, which he seemed to be keeping her away from... maybe. So I pulled the eggs out and he seemed to forget his woes with Mary. A couple of days later, I put in a nest to see how they would do with a family. Lewis loves building up the nest, and raising little ones so I figured they may bond over this. Well they were doing just splendidly preparing the nest (there is one egg in it so far) until today where my husband said that Lewis is chasing her again. What could be going on? He doesnt mind if she goes in or near the nest/egg he is just chasing her. I dont know what to do! __________________ Clippy - 17yr Old BLM Mustang Epona - 3yr Old Bashkir Curly x Missouri Fox Trotter

03-31-2012, 05:18 PM
flexy Started Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Headed West Posts: 2,086	The male Zebra finches take care of the eggs the females just waits .He is protecting his eggs .I would seperate them male /female until the eggs hatch . Just keep her close by . __________________ If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

04-01-2012, 09:02 AM
ring6992 Halter broke Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: St. Andrews, Scotland Posts: 166	That seems odd. He and my last female shared duties. Maybe he has changed his mind. __________________ Clippy - 17yr Old BLM Mustang Epona - 3yr Old Bashkir Curly x Missouri Fox Trotter

04-02-2012, 10:45 AM
flexy Started Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Headed West Posts: 2,086	Males sit on the eggs and take care of them .Its the male who teach the younger males to sing . They are very protective of their nest . __________________ If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.