Rescued Zebra and Society Finches

[foxxybrownn]

Good afternoon all. I am sure that you veterans are tired of these "newby" questions but alot of you seem like bird lovers so maybe someone will be sympathetic to my plight. My next door neighbor and his wife got divorced. After she ran off the husband put all of her stuff outside on the curb. He even put the huge birdcage out. I asked him why would he do that and he said he doesn't want anything of hers in the house. Me being an animal lover asked if I could have them and he said take them. I felt so sorry for them out there in the rain. There are three zebras- twomale and one female, and two society- I believe they are males. I have been reading on the internet basic information, but now the female zebra has laid her third clutch of eggs. The first two only had two eggs and I tried to follow the advise off of the net but before I could check the eggs(candling) she would push them out of the nest. The second clutch she just sat a few days then pushed them out. Now there are eggs in two separate nests. One in the hanging nest where the male is sitting on two eggs, and four in the open nest where finally she is sitting on the eggs. She has been on them for almost three days straight and I can only get a glance when I change water and food. Do I just let her do her thing with the nesting and when do I remove the eggs if they don't hatch?

[poohbear]

Divorce or no divorce that guy wants a smack for dumping live creatures outside like that.
Get yourself a book on zebras from a pet shop...they're cheap enough and essential if you're a beginner.
Leave the hen to sit her eggs for a couple of weeks.If you remove them early she will only lay again.Please consider....if she is successful you will need more room to accomodate the youngsters.If that's not on then you would be wise to remove the nest boxes/baskets.
Paul.

[foxxybrownn]

Thank you very much Paul. I just couldn't leave them out there so once he said I could have them I brought them in and got on the internet to get as much knowledge as possible. So far, this site has been a lifesaver. I see a lot of similiar threads asking for the same info. I guess I will just leave them alone. She is on the nest now and only gets off when I change water and add seed. Sometimes letting nature take it's course is the best medicine. Again, thanks for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate it.

[catschair]

Thanks for taking them in. I will never understand folks leaving their pets behind or being cruel to animals because they are upset with another human. Ah well, can only change one life at a time, right?

Anyway, you have gotten good advice. Just keep everyone fed and watered -- they love to play in their water and will try all sorts of foods -- fruit, veggies, etc.

You are in for a little bit of a mess and a lot of joy!