So if you've ever been to Petco or PetSmart you might have looked at the birds thinking "aww what cute birds" a then you see this.
When you see the price tag you turn the other way and say "well I'm never getting a bird" However as someone who like making ideas I've always thought that if you were to get a pair of these guys and you were to let them breed you would get lots of money (especially if you hand rear them) in this article I will show you everything you need to know about getting, breeding, and selling birds from your own breeding!
Picking a good pair:
To pick out the best zebra finch pair, consider several factors. Observe the birds' behavior, looking for signs of a strong bond and compatibility. Watch for courting behaviors like singing, bill tapping, and mutual preening. Choose birds that are healthy and active, with bright feathers, clear eyes, and no signs of respiratory distress. Avoid birds that appear lethargic, have abnormal feather growth, or show signs of aggression. This will ensure the birds you select will be healthy and happy enough together to breed! (Remember breeding adults have orange beaks and bright red eyes, the makes also have a orange face while females have no pattern on their faces)
Cage & Care requirements:
Getting a good cage is a must. I suggest you get a long breeder cages like this one here.
(All the items you see in this article are from PetSmart) A good long cage will allow lots or space for good food and clean water, lots of wooden perches as they are much better for birds, and cuttle bones. These are important as they give you birds a source of calcium. Something that is needed for the female to lay eggs.
Building a good environment:
When you first get your zebra Finch pair it is crucial to create a comfortable and safe environment for them. Set up the cage with ample space for the finches to fly and exercise. Providing a good and balanced diet of both exotic finch seed and the occasional lettuce and other greens will make them super healthy and happy. Give them fresh water, and occasionally offer treats like millet sprays.
Breeding:
Once you have selected a good looking pair that is well bonded it is finally time to start the breeding process! There are tons of nests on the market and PetSmart doesn't have any nests (that I know of) now although my birds are in an aviary and make their own nest it's a good idea to get a nest box with good space so that your pair can make a good sized nest. The more nest room they have, the higher the chance they will lay more eggs! Here are some photos of nests I find work best for long cages.
Nesting material:
Provide suitable nesting materials. Zebra finches build nests made of grass, twigs, and feathers. Offer a variety of nesting materials for them to choose from, such as shredded paper, coconut fiber, and nesting grass. Ensure the materials are clean and free from any chemicals. Most of these materials can luckily be found outside or in arts and crafts so this part shouldn't be that hard!
Courtship:
Now once you have a nest and good nesting material you should start to see them showing mutual interest and engage in courtship behaviors, this indicates a good match.
Egg laying:
Monitor the nest regularly. Zebra finches usually lay a single egg per day, and the female will begin incubating the eggs after the second or third egg is laid. Keep an eye on the nest to ensure the eggs are being adequately cared for. Avoid excessive disturbance during this time. In the short time spand of just a week the female will lay between 3-6 eggs and occasionally they will lay up to 8 eggs!
Chick care:
After around 14-16 days of incubation, the chicks will start to hatch. Observe and ensure the parents are feeding the chicks properly. Provide a steady supply of soft food, such as eggfood, soaked seeds, and greens, to support the growing chicks’ nutritional needs. The parents will feed the babies regularly so you don't need to do anything! However you can start to hand rear them around 10 days after they hatch as with any other kind of bird.
Separating fledgling chicks:
Once the chicks fledge and leave the nest, separate them from the parents to prevent any breeding-related aggression. Maintain a suitable environment for the chicks until they are fully independent. A cage similar to the adults is perfect as it will give them plenty of flight room.
When you see the price tag you turn the other way and say "well I'm never getting a bird" However as someone who like making ideas I've always thought that if you were to get a pair of these guys and you were to let them breed you would get lots of money (especially if you hand rear them) in this article I will show you everything you need to know about getting, breeding, and selling birds from your own breeding!
Picking a good pair:
To pick out the best zebra finch pair, consider several factors. Observe the birds' behavior, looking for signs of a strong bond and compatibility. Watch for courting behaviors like singing, bill tapping, and mutual preening. Choose birds that are healthy and active, with bright feathers, clear eyes, and no signs of respiratory distress. Avoid birds that appear lethargic, have abnormal feather growth, or show signs of aggression. This will ensure the birds you select will be healthy and happy enough together to breed! (Remember breeding adults have orange beaks and bright red eyes, the makes also have a orange face while females have no pattern on their faces)
Cage & Care requirements:
Getting a good cage is a must. I suggest you get a long breeder cages like this one here.
(All the items you see in this article are from PetSmart) A good long cage will allow lots or space for good food and clean water, lots of wooden perches as they are much better for birds, and cuttle bones. These are important as they give you birds a source of calcium. Something that is needed for the female to lay eggs.
Building a good environment:
When you first get your zebra Finch pair it is crucial to create a comfortable and safe environment for them. Set up the cage with ample space for the finches to fly and exercise. Providing a good and balanced diet of both exotic finch seed and the occasional lettuce and other greens will make them super healthy and happy. Give them fresh water, and occasionally offer treats like millet sprays.
Breeding:
Once you have selected a good looking pair that is well bonded it is finally time to start the breeding process! There are tons of nests on the market and PetSmart doesn't have any nests (that I know of) now although my birds are in an aviary and make their own nest it's a good idea to get a nest box with good space so that your pair can make a good sized nest. The more nest room they have, the higher the chance they will lay more eggs! Here are some photos of nests I find work best for long cages.
Nesting material:
Provide suitable nesting materials. Zebra finches build nests made of grass, twigs, and feathers. Offer a variety of nesting materials for them to choose from, such as shredded paper, coconut fiber, and nesting grass. Ensure the materials are clean and free from any chemicals. Most of these materials can luckily be found outside or in arts and crafts so this part shouldn't be that hard!
Courtship:
Now once you have a nest and good nesting material you should start to see them showing mutual interest and engage in courtship behaviors, this indicates a good match.
Egg laying:
Monitor the nest regularly. Zebra finches usually lay a single egg per day, and the female will begin incubating the eggs after the second or third egg is laid. Keep an eye on the nest to ensure the eggs are being adequately cared for. Avoid excessive disturbance during this time. In the short time spand of just a week the female will lay between 3-6 eggs and occasionally they will lay up to 8 eggs!
Chick care:
After around 14-16 days of incubation, the chicks will start to hatch. Observe and ensure the parents are feeding the chicks properly. Provide a steady supply of soft food, such as eggfood, soaked seeds, and greens, to support the growing chicks’ nutritional needs. The parents will feed the babies regularly so you don't need to do anything! However you can start to hand rear them around 10 days after they hatch as with any other kind of bird.
Separating fledgling chicks:
Once the chicks fledge and leave the nest, separate them from the parents to prevent any breeding-related aggression. Maintain a suitable environment for the chicks until they are fully independent. A cage similar to the adults is perfect as it will give them plenty of flight room.
