ZEBRA FINCHES
AS BIRDKEEPERS, we should never count our chickens (or budgies, canaries or whatever) before they hatch. In the zebra finch hobby, we have all experienced the frustration of eggs from a promising pair of zebra finches being damaged.
Many zebra finches are good nest-builders, but at times can choose unsuitable nesting materials such as coarse wood chip or even hardened droppings. It is the job of the breederown birdroom I provide wooden nest pans lined with coffee filters for a soft base. With my fist I make a bowl-shaped nest using bleached coconut fibre. Next, I provide short lengths of white cotton () for the pairs to finish the nest themselves. This offers a good soft nest for the eggs and removes the risk of the chicks getting entangled in the fibre or flattened by the parents. By allowing the birds to finish their nests, I can also gauge their breeding condition and whether eggs are soon to arrive.
