Unwanted Zebra Finch Breeding HELP!

Lizette · Guest

Hi all- New to this group- and sorry if you have covered this already.
I looked through posts- and most seemed to be in the interest of
promoting breeding.

I have a pair of Zebra Finches. They are brother and sister. They are
about 7 months old.

Did not provide nest box or nesting material, as I didn't want them to
breed.

They are a sexy pair though I guess- woke up to find an egg in one of
their feed cups this morning!

They have since poked it open and discarded- so I cleaned up the cup.
But I understand there could be more eggs as days go by.

I don't have room to have more than my pair, and I am afraid to let
them breed since they are brother and sister!

ANy suggestions on what to do would be highly appreciated. -Lizette

bluebird · Guest

I've never owned finches, but the most common approach for parrots is
as follows: If they pick a nesting site and start laying eggs, replace
the eggs with fake eggs, and let the female incubate them. Boiling the
eggs and putting them back also works.

Eventually the bird will abandon the eggs. At this point, remove the
eggs and nest, and rearrange everything in the cage. Moving the cage to
a new location is also a good idea. The idea is to distract the birds
from breeding.

This is obviously a temporary solution, and the birds will eventually
try to breed again.

Removing the eggs as soon as they are laid is not a good idea, because
the bird will continue to lay new eggs to replace the ones lost.

Hope this helps.

Lizette · Guest

Bluebird- Thank SO much for your help!

I gave them some nesting material- I figured it was not good to let
them stress about that. I will let her finish with laying, and replace
the eggs as you suggest.

I am reading that some people actually shake the eggs to stop the chick
development-

After this is over I will definately rearange the cage.

Thanks again Bluebird!

Any other help out there- I welcome your comments!

David G Fisher · Guest

"Lizette" <> wrote in message