Help Breeding Zebra Finches

I have a pair of zebra finches and the male has been building the nest for a few weeks now with everything he finds (nesting material from the store, string I've given them, some price tab he found from the cage, and even ivy leaves from next to cage). Hes' making a great home for his family, but they haven't laid any eggs yet.

Yes, I've seen them mate, when he makes his "noises" and flaps up on top of her and does his thing and all, and then she does it to him which is weird but they do what they need to do, yet no eggs? Help?! Am I doing something wrong, or are they infertile or what's up?

Selah W from Spokane, WA

Answers:

Help Breeding Zebra Finches

I don't know much about them, but my Mom had them when I was younger. I do know that you must make sure that you have a male and a female and then make sure that she doesn't already have an egg in her. My Mom lost a few females to being egg bound, they are so tiny and their eggs can get stuck, she tried several ideas that were given to her (olive oil, etc.) to help the female but lost a few. Sometimes they would lay an egg then leave it, I understand they are hard to have breed themselves, they are tricky birds. (08/15/2007)

By Michawn

Help Breeding Zebra Finches

I have a breeding couple. The female laid eight eggs that were very large in comparison to her. They have a male and female offspring now. Now might be the wrong time of the year though. Mine are spring born. I did nothing to encourage breeding other then have them in the only cage I had. No nest, no nesting material, etc., but it is possible that gravel is necessary for fertilization.

Mine had their eggs in the bird bath in which I let them dust themselves with corn pellets. Two weeks after the young were born, I put nesting material in and they made a nest for the young. The reason was because I thought the young were too weak to survive, so I continued to discourage them. The young are healthy and in a separate cage now because the original is too small for four birds. (08/15/2007)

By Wynn

Help Breeding Zebra Finches

Do you cover your finches at night? Keep the cover around the cage except for the front so they can see daylight. Yes, be sure they have plenty of nesting materials and be patient. I wish I knew how to stop my finches from mating. They have had four batches of eggs since last October. There are eight eggs in the nests right now. All the best to you. They will reproduce and you'll be thrilled. (08/16/2007)

By SATellite