Breeding pair

[shaunh]

Just had a male zeb die this arvo not sure why, he has a hen on the nest eggs unhatched, what is the chances the hen will proceed with incubation?

[dano_68]

Hi Shaun, sorry about your loss.

I would think the hen will give in soon. It’s so much work for 1 bird I seriously doubt she will continue. On the bright, if you get a new cockbird the hen should pair up quickly with him and could be back on a nest within a month or two.

[Jayburd]

sorry for your loss Shaun.
Have to agree with Dano here - lost a male once when the chicks were fledgelings, hen was pestered to the point of starvation, fed everything she got to them because they wouldn't let her at it herself and died.
I can only imagine what would have happened if the young had been nestlings.
But yes, like Danny said, get a new male they will pair up, MAYBE even continue their current nest!

[finchbreeder]

Depends entirely on the hen and the quantity of chicks, she should cope perfectly well with a couple of chicks, because you have all she needs close at hand. But a large nest full will be too much for a single parent. So if you have another nest of Zebs fostering could be in order.
LML

[jusdeb]

She might cope , its happened before . As said depends on the bird .

[shaunh]

Thanx everyone, looks like she has left the eggs today, shame they were only about a week off hatching. Haven't seen her on the nest at all today

[BENSONSAN]

I haf a painted firetail that lost her boy and she went on to raise 4 young by herself no worries. Dont give up..zebs are strong litle guys if a painted can do it hopefuly yours can. But yea as jay said depends on the will of that bird