Breeding Zebra Finches

Zebra Finches are very eager breeders if they are happy and well cared for. These birds will readily breed even in smaller or breeding cages. They display mating behaviors all year-long, but once you notice the male beginning to show signs of gathering behavior, your birds are ready to breed.

The breeding cage should be at least one square foot per bird. They should be provided with two nest boxes per pair of birds, that are mounted as high as possible opposite the food dish and separated from any other nest boxes if breeding more than one pair per cage. They should be provide with nesting materials like coconut fibers, soft bits of string and leaves. They will pack their nest with everything they can reach for about a week before the female begins laying eggs.

Zebra Finch clutches can be anywhere from 3 to 12 eggs at time. It will take the female a few days to lay all the eggs. Nests should be left alone after the egg laying begins and until the young begin to venture out alone. Be aware that it isn't uncommon to have a couple of eggs not hatch. Good eggs will hatch within two weeks of laying and the fledglings will begin to venture out in about three to four weeks of hatching. Expect the nest to be very busy as the eggs hatch. Zebra Finches are very good parents and will take turns sitting on the nest and feeding the young.

The breeding pair must be at least 9 months old and they can be bred as a single pair or with more breeding pairs. Be sure you have an even amount of males and females or else fights for dominance and breeding partners can break out. Proper nutrition including cuttlebone for calcium is important for the health of the breeding pair as well as the health of the clutch. 

The calcium from cuttlebone helps to prevent egg binding in the females. You will need to provide fresh sprouts every day along with soft foods such as mashed hard-boiled egg, bread soaked in milk or grated vegetables. Banding for identification should be done on day 12. The young begin leaving the nest at about 4 weeks after hatching and will be independent in 5 to 6 weeks.

In the wild Zebra Finches can live up to 5 years, in captivity they normally live from 8-10 years. If they are well cared for and are kept happy and healthy, they can live up to 12 years.