Welcome Half-Breeds?

[sierranomad]

Please welcome into the world Zety and Sobra, my two new Zebra/Society fledglings.

I didn't intend for them to interbreed, I do have them together but have both male and female of both Societies and Zebras and was under the impression that they would interbreed only if they didn't have any of their own kind.

How should I feel about this? I know that usually the desire is to keep bloodlines pure, but is the issue moot with two such common birds? Any other downsides...i.e. less hardy or etc.?

[jusdeb]

Mixed species breeding is a very controversial subject here in Australia which is probably why you have had no replies .

Accidents do happen and I'm sure they are beautiful little babies .

You have to now be responsible and ensure that they dont go back into the gene pool in other words you must make sure that they do not reproduce and that potential buyers are aware that they are not pure blood and not intended for breeding .

They should be as robust as any other finch , they may be sterile but that isn't a set rule .

Please separate the birds so it doesn't happen again . It is better to keep bloodlines pure for the sake of the species .

Sorry if this has been a downer but this is my opinion and I think it makes sense , of course they are your birds and you can do what you want with them .

Good luck with the babies .

[djb78]

I would have to agree with deb on this its a very controversial topic, I myself don't agree with hybrids. Your entitled to breed what ever and how ever you like but if you wish to breed pure birds best you separate them so they don't breed hybrids again. In most cases you'll find the young will be sterile but nature sometimes allows fertile ones through. I hope they bring enjoyment for you.

[finchbreeder]

Same as the previous two comments. Half breeds are not good. In the sence that they can muck up the genepool. Sure it's less of a big deal that the species who surprised you are common. But still split up the guilty pair. And don;t let their young breed. I have had accidents in the past and kept the young as pretty caged birds who got to live out their lives in comfort and in the company of their sibs. This is what I suggest you do. Unless you have a responsible relo or friend who wants to have them and do the right thing by not breeding them.
LML

[Tintola]

Taking into consideration that Society Finches (otherwise known as Bengalese Finches) are a domestic breed anyway ie. not found in the wild but a conglomeration of Asian Lonchura species (Lonchura striata domestica) I personally don't think it really matters that it has hybridised with a Zebra Finch. Having said that they will probably be infertile anyway as Zebs are not in the Lonchura group and I think the two parents would be too distantly related to produce fertile hybrids. I too would not let the young ones breed except with each other, if you can tell their sex,(Maybe look for the partial orange cheek patches or male song) and that would be just as an experiment to ascertain if this particular hybrid is a fertile one.
Good luck with them and let us know what happens.

[sierranomad]

Ah. I can see that it is a very controversial subject, and I greatly appreciate the responses.

What Tintola said about them likely being infertile makes sense, that would solve any problems, as far as I can see. Whatever the case I'll be sure not to let this "accident" out of my aviary.

Glad to know they should be as robust as any other finch. They are cute little buggers . I believe they are both female.

Thanks again!

[Cando]

Oops, it happens but I would say it's controversial here in the states as well. I have never had hybrids but I mostly have same species aviaries. I have know many that have though... One semi local vendor was selling them at the bird fair for unique and rare birds so needless to say around that area the gene pool is iffy.
I have also know people that had these accidents (and societies remain surprizingly fertile) and they have given them to people that just wanted pet caged birds with out ever the desire to breed them. In my opinion, best case scenario.
Many species will crossbreed so research befor placing the birds in the community flight. I know a lot of people are under the impression that if the bird has a mate of the same species then they will stick together.... not so...
What is good for the goose is good for the gander can mean hybrids

[Danny]

Ah. I can see that it is a very controversial subject, and I greatly appreciate the responses.

What Tintola said about them likely being infertile makes sense, that would solve any problems, as far as I can see. Whatever the case I'll be sure not to let this "accident" out of my aviary.

Glad to know they should be as robust as any other finch. They are cute little buggers . I believe they are both female.

Thanks again!

Controversial or otherwise - can we see a pic. I'm intriqued as to what they look like

[Nrg800]

What he said!

[Tintola]

Please welcome into the world Zety and Sobra, my two new Zebra/Society fledglings

Am I to assume that you are going to call the hybrids " Zebrieties or Sobras".
Both sound nice, but don't give them any alcohol!