Zebbie Answers
Cage & Aviary Birds|October 23, 2019
DAVE BROWN shares his experience on some specific zebbie issues, from dirty feet to a chick that is slow to feather up
Dave Brown
Zebbie Answers

ZEBRA FINCHES

THE popular zebra finch is an accommodating breed and ideal for the beginner. However, the new fancier still needs to know the basics and even the most obliging of finches can throw up some problems and questions along the way.

Q I am planning to buy my first birds once I have learned the basics. Are there any good books on the subject?

A Zebra finches are an ideal choice for the novice birdkeeper and a small colony (three pairs with space for future youngsters) will live happily in a 1.8m x 0.9m (6ft x 3ft) aviary with an attached shelter. Alternatively, a pair will be content in a double breeding cage. While extra heat and light are desirable they are not crucial. Zebbies will thrive on a diet of foreign finch mix, regular green food, oyster shell grit, and cuttlefish bone. Eggfood is offered in the build-up to and during breeding and, if fit, a pair will nest in a standard finch box with hay and coconut fiber provided as building materials.

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