Cage requirements for 2 pairs of Zebra FInches

[Missi]

We have 2 pairs of Zebra Finches. I read a lot on different websites that in a small cage, you must only have one pair, however we have 2 flight cages (just bought a spare one today) which are 30" wide by 18" tall by 18" deep (see link below) and were considering modifying them so that we can just make one large cage. Currently all 4 finches (2 pairs) are in a single flight cage and have been for one week. The females occasionally chase each other and hiss at each other. There are also currently no nests available in the cage.

I have 2 of these cages: Prevue Finch Flight Cage

Would it be okay if we modified the 2 so it could be a large flight cage and both pairs could breed with little agression (is that possible?) OR should I just divide the 2 pairs and just stack the 2 cages?

I want to do what's best for my tiny fids.

Thank you!

[Missi]

Oh yes, and BTW....here are photos of my Finches

The Zebra Finches - a photoset on Flickr

[Heather_Bird]

Lovely pics there Missi!

Your zebs will be fine in the double cage if you can join it. They may well be fine in the single cage as it should be big enough for 2 pairs. Once they have settled and are busy doing their thing you may well find they are fine. I know a lot of peeps will disagree with this but I find zebs very tolerant of smaller spaces and it almost seems to give them a feeling of safety in my experience. There will always be spats, even in my huge aviary there are spats, that's what zebs do! If you can join the cages with no trouble then do so. The more flight space they have the better and it will be heaps easier when they fledge their bubs. Good luck and keep us posted!

All the best,

Heather

[Hoji]

Yeah, I'm one of those peeps that will disagree. I can't say for all of course, but my personal experience is two pairs in one cage will fight, really fight; pecking, chasing, and pulling out each other's feathers. I had to seperate mine before they got bloody! After I built a large flight and added 4 societies and a canary, these same zebras do pretty well. Just a little chasing and hissing, no outright fighting. You mentioned on the other forum that you wanted to breed and that might change the picture. Most would say to keep them in seperate cages unless you have a nice big place and have room for at least 3 pairs.

[ROYJOY]

my 4 hand raised zeebs are in one 30"x18"x18" but they are siblings and they get along ok, and they get alot of out of cage time. i would give each pair their own cage rather than putting the 2 cages together, less stress for birds and you.

[Heather_Bird]

Well, we can only go on our own experience with this sort of thing. In my experience, if they have enough room zebs will be fine in groups, even if there are spares. The culture here is NZ is much more for communal breeding and funny enough we seem to have very few problems. I know the accepted method in the USA is for separate breeding cages for each pair. I guess when you think of their natural habitat my method probably makes more sense and is more sympathetic to their needs. There will always be clashes between certain individuals but in five years+ of breeding these little guys I have only seen any proper damage done once and that was to newly fledged babies who wouldn't get out of the nest quick enough to suit their parents' hormones! If you need to breed specific pairs for showing or whatever then by all means split them up. Otherwise they are better off being together. As long as there are plenty of food sources and nesting materials and nesting sites then there should not be a problem.

All the best,

Heather

[ROYJOY]

missi, your white is a cfw hen. (chestnut flanked white). any one else wanna guess?

[Hoji]

Originally Posted by ROYJOY

missi, your white is a cfw hen. (chestnut flanked white). any one else wanna guess?

I still want to know if she sings, because I have a zebra that looks female but sings up a storm, no eggs but paired up with another male (my other paired-up couple are also both males).

[ROYJOY]

she may, or may not develope a song. most zebra hens just beep. how old are they?

[Heather_Bird]

Sorry, I didn't realise you wanted to know the mutation. Yes, I agree with Royjoy. Definitely a cfw hen going from the feather and beak colours.

All the best,

Heather