How to raise zebra birds

Breeding zebra birds

Breeding zebra finches, or zebra, spread among people more than 100 years ago, and they are small birds that got their name from the stripes on their neck and chest like zebra, and became the most common bird in homes; Because of their abundance, acceptable price, and beauty of their appearance, zebras reproduce easily and without complications, and care for them is easy and does not require much training to care for them.

These birds are famous for their constant singing, and males are usually more mobile and vocal than females, and the shape of females differs from males; The plumage of females is mostly gray, while the plumage of males is close to orange, with a red beak. They are social birds that like to live in groups, but if one pair of males and females live in a cage, they will live in good health, and reproduce normally.

Choosing the right zebra birds

Breeding zebra birds is for the purpose of entertainment or planning to keep their offspring, and before raising birds, it must be ensured that all the necessary care means are available for them.

The hands of a vet to check their health.

One of the most important steps in breeding zebra birds is to choose the sex of the birds, and to determine the appropriate birds for breeding. 

These tips can be used to reach the best possible choice:

Determining sex by sight

It is easy to determine the sex of the zebra by looking, as males have black markings on the breast, unlike females. [3]

Red mark 

Some signs help to know the sex of the birds that will be purchased, as the males have a red mark on their cheeks, while the females do not have these marks.

the behavior 

Observing the behavior of birds makes it easy to determine their sex, and to choose the best among them. A good male is the one who flirts with females without hesitation.

Provide the appropriate cage

Zebra birds live in ideal large cages with ease, and they adapt to these cages in record time, and they appreciate and are satisfied with the space available to them, especially if they are large.

When choosing a cage, it must be planned to accommodate eight birds at one time; Because zebras nurture their chicks for 2-4 weeks, more than five chicks may hatch at a time, but do not keep more than a pair of zebras in one cage.

All nesting materials and herbs must be provided in the cage, [3] for birds to play inside the cage and fly comfortably.

The minimum cage dimensions are 76 cm high, 45 cm wide and 45 cm deep, [2] or 100 cm high and 75 cm wide, 75 cm deep, the lower part of the cage is often detached; To facilitate the process of dismantling and cleaning, sand or herbs are placed in it.

Providing the right food Providing the appropriate food ensures that the bird can live for as long as possible , and a healthy and suitable atmosphere for zebra breeding, [2] There is a list of foods that zebra birds can eat without problems, and these nutrients include the following:

•  Seeds

Quality seeds and grains that do not contain pesticides.

• Nutritional supplements

Providing birds, especially small ones, with the necessary nutritional supplements such as calcium.

• Fruit and vegetables

The favorite food of the zebra is soft fruit; Like bananas, papaya, and it is important to provide them with fresh vegetables on a regular basis.

• insects

These birds feed on insects; such as butterflies, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and locusts.

•  eggs 

Zebras should be fed eggs to provide them with enough protein.

Save water and change it regularly 

Water is one of the most important nutritional components throughout the period of bird care, and by using clean and healthy water that is changed in the morning and evening, the zebra bird grows in good health, far from diseases, and providing sufficient and good water makes the birds joyful and strong, more beautiful and bright, and you will always be seen tweeting.

Providing a suitable environment for breeding

Zebra sparrows reproduce similarly to other birds, but this requires the availability of a suitable environment for the spouses.

The zebra sparrow is a loving bird that is influenced by the surrounding conditions, and has specific criteria for choosing the appropriate wife, and the appropriate mating time, [4] and the age of maturity and puberty for the zebra is often three months.

owever, it is best to wait for them at 9-12 months to allow them to mate.

• nesting 

Zebra birds need suitable nests, in order for the mating processes to take place correctly and properly, and the cage is the nest in the case of home rearing, and this nest must contain all amenities, and it should have enough space for the couple’s freedom to fly, and it should be enough for the small chicks that may hatch.

There are many types of cages for zebras, the best of which is a traditional wooden cage for each pair.

It is important to line this box with clean paper to prevent the birds from getting injured or scratched.

• Egg care and hatching 

The female zebra bird lays 3-6 eggs at a time, but in some cases she lays eight eggs, and usually she lays one egg every day until the number is complete, and these eggs begin to hatch within 12-15 days after sitting on it, and if the age of The eggs remain for twenty days and have not hatched.

They are rotten and do not contain a viable embryo.

The care of the eggs and the young should be done by the parents, not by the hands of humans, especially in the early days of the chicks, but it must be ensured that the parents are provided with healthy food rich in protein, and this helps in the rapid growth of the young.

The feeding period usually ends between 4-6 weeks of age, and the zebras expel their young from the nest between the ages of 5-6 weeks, when they have grown feathers and are able to fly.