Zebras and Society together?

[JustBrowsing]

Can I put a pair of Society finches in with Zebra finches?

[finches247]

Bengalese and Zebras are usually fine together.They both like roosting nests too.

[JustBrowsing]

And they're both good beginner finches right? Everyone says to start with Zebs but I love variety and can't seem to peg myself down to one type! Now where in the world do you buy from, seeing as everyone says to avoid pet stores/dealers??

[finches247]

Both Beginers birds.At bird sales here there given to you almost free.

It depends on how much you trust your pet shop or dealer.I have a few I can trust and a few that I know are bad pet shops/dealers

[JustBrowsing]

I'm having an ethical dilemma as I would never buy a dog or cat from a pet store so kind of feeling the same about the finches! I work in the animal industry so have a good feel for how they run. I'm pretty sure none of them would tell me (or know!) if their birds were related if I said I wanted to breed.


On another note my neighbour has Zebras and offered to give us some, but I have concerns as all of hers come from just TWO birds she bought a couple of years back. So they are all related??? Isn't that bad? I'm used to companion animals (dogs,cats, and small animals) but surely that can't be ok to have an entire tribe of 40 finches all borne of the same pair? Or are birds different?

[GregH]

Some organisms are quite resistant to any deleterious affects from inbreeding - Zebs and Society finches are certainly up there so I wouldn't be too worried about this aspect. If there is a "moral" aspect to this the problem extends beyond any presumptions you might have concerning the origin of the birds. Not all birds dealers are unscrupulous. Another possibility is is that they could hybridise. While such couplings are rare and the hybrid progeny are sterile do you have the right to create genetic monstrosities for you own amusement?

Images of Zebra X Bengalese Hybrids from Tail Feathers

[Finch_Breeder]

Could check gumtree. Is this close to you?
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/pakenham ... 1004826404
Mike

[finchbreeder]

I keep both and they are housed together. If you were not so far away I could even sell you some. Have not had any crossing occur. Re inbreeding. If someone is offering you some, go ahead and get them if they look heathy. Then get some from a different source. Put the hens from one source with the cocks form the other source and vice versa. Problem solved. And if you do not have room. Keep the hens from one source and the cocks from the other and on-sell the other no longer related pair/s, and help another birdo to have unrelated birds.
LML