20 Points to successfully
breeding and showing Zebra finches for the beginner
Join a zebra finch specialist club, meet as many zebra enthusiasts as
possible, take on board other members ideas and practices and remember, breeding
zebra finches will be a learning and enjoyable experience.
Prior to obtaining your first birds, ensure you have a draft free and vermin
free housing. This may either be cabinets or flights. Remember that the best results
are achieved from 1 pair per flight or cabinets.
When purchasing your birds, emphasis should be placed on acruing normal greys
from a good stud to ensure pure normals. These normal birds a generally easily obtainable
and are the foundation to all other zebra mutations. Two or three pairs is all that
is necessary to start with, as it is not a number game, its all about quality.
Always ensure you birds have good quality food, supplements and fresh water
daily. When providing supplements such as greens, soft food, etc, always use the
method that works best for you and your birds.
Keep good written records of your breeding program. This is most important when
tracing a birds family history and ensuring line breeding is carried out correctly.
It is also enables you to know if a particular bird is split for another variety.
Keep youngsters for at least 6 months prior to disposing of your surplus stock.
Remember, keep the best cull the rest, or if in doubt through it out. It is very
important to ensure all young hens are at least 6 - 8 months old before introducing
them to the breeding program.
When purchasing your birds, emphasis should be placed on acruing normal greys
from a good stud to ensure pure normals. These normal birds a generally easily obtainable
and are the foundation to all other zebra mutations. Two or three pairs is all that
is necessary to start with, as it is not a number game, its all about quality.
The first 2 - 3 years should be a period to concentrate on establishing a breeding
stud. However the show bug will bit and this will give you a chance to prove your
breeding achievements and your showing professionalism.
Obtain a show standard from your club. Familiarise yourself with the standard,
memorise the standard in regards to shape and type. In a short period you should
be able to visualise the perfect zebra in your mind, this wi hekp when breeding
and selection for showing.
Always give your birds an even chance by presenting your birds and cages in
tip top condition. Never show ill or unsound birds.
Ensure your birds are in the correct class. Remember to seek advice from fellow
members. There is often confusion with new exhibitors and young bird classes or
classification. Check the show schedule and then check it again.
Avoid showing std/breeding hens, as this places enormous strain on the hens
at a later dste in the breeding program. Remember stud hens are the backbone of
your stud. Good cocks come and go. Good hens are hard to get.
Don't show a bought bird. The primary reason for obtaining a top bird is to
use it in your breeding stud. Also there is little satisfaction in winning with
a bird that someone else has bred.
It is best not to show a particular bird more than 3 times in a show season,
this will only stress the bird and it may experience problems in the breeding season.
Always concider the well being of your birds when they are in show cages i.e.
concider their travelling arrangements, their feed and water requirements and the
length of time spent in a cage. Remember a one day show with 2 - 3 hours traveling
on either end can be a long and stressful experience.
Be selective. Only exhibit at 3 - 4 shows per year. Select the shows important
to you and within a suitable distance from your stud.
Don't be put off by a judges decision on the day. Remember the judge is only
human and your bird always looks best in your eyes. So if your first showing season
is not as successful as you had wished, don't give up, go back to the breeding room.
Be patient, be very patient, it won't happen over night, but it will happen.
Once you have established your normal birds to the point where they can hold
their own on the show bench, you can consider the introduction of other colours.
Be careful to keep compatible varieties i.e. if your stud strength is normal grey,
then dilute blue and silvers would fit nicely. If your strength of your stud was
in Fawns, then maybe creams or creambacks may be suitable. I personally found it
difficult when mixing sex link birds to recessive varieties. In any case good breeding
records can overcome most problems.
Keep only 3 - 4 Varieties, anymore than this will not enable you to develop
your chosen varieties to their full potential. Some enthusiests keep every variety,
but for the beginner stay limited in your numbers.
Finally, success breeds success and with success comes enormous satisfaction.
However the most important thing is to:
Always enjoy your chosen hobby and the friendships
you make with your fellow enthusiasts
Be Happy
