Ask Lafeber

Zebra finches only had one baby, now what?

So I have read extensively about what happens in the first six weeks since birth, but most forums speak on what happens with multiple babies. We have bought a second cage, but now the baby will be alone after 6 weeks. Must I buy another one to pair? Or, can the young one live on in the parent’s cage if I remove the nest to avoid breeding?
Also, if I must buy a bird to pair with my baby zebra finch, will it be content with a different buddy, like a budgie or finch variant?
Any help is appreciated.

Hi Shaun,

Yes, the chick needs to be removed from the parent’s cage once he is weaned. Otherwise, the parents will either pick on it, or breed with it when it gets older. Zebra finches are very passive, so really another zebra finch around the same age is best for a companion. But you can get the same sex if you aren’t interested in breeding. You can’t put a parrot species like a budgie with a finch.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda