The zebra sparrow is an interesting and easy bird species to breed. Zebra sparrows can take good care of their young. In addition, this bird species can also breed every year. Zebra sparrows are quite easy to care for. To start breeding zebra sparrows, prepare a good cage for them. After laying their eggs, zebra sparrows incubate, incubate, and nurse their young until they are ready to leave the nest.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Setting Up the Zebra Sparrow Cage
Step 1. Choose a cage with a solid base and sufficient vertical space
Choose a cage with a length of 45 cm and a width of 30 cm. Remember, there will be more than two birds living in this cage. Therefore, make sure there is enough space in the cage.
Choose a cage with a sturdy base because sparrows love to eat on the floor
Step 2. Place a large enough food and drink container into the cage
The selected container must be sufficient for 4 birds because zebra sparrows like to soak in their drinking containers. You can place food and drink containers in the base of the cage but make sure there is enough room for the birds to find food.
Step 3. Provide a perch in the cage
Place perches around the cage at varying heights. Don't forget to place the perch at a distance of 15 cm from the top of the cage. Zebra sparrows will rest on this perch at night.
- Make sure there are not too many perches in the cage so that the zebra sparrow can fly freely. Also, don't place the perch over the bird's food and drink containers as this can contaminate them.
- You can use sticks or large twigs to make bird perches. Choose a log or twig with a thickness of approximately 0.5 cm.
- You can also attach only one end. By doing this, the perch will be slightly less stable so the sparrow can perch while exercising on it.
- Generally, sparrows are less attracted to toys. However, you can also invite sparrows to play with bird toys. Sparrows may like to swing or climb stairs.
Step 4. Cover the base of the cage with sand, wood chips, or sawdust
Cover the bottom of the cage with sand, wood chips, or sawdust. Sparrows like to eat in the cage, and they will dig up sand, wood chips, or sawdust that is in the bottom of the cage.
The base of the sparrow's cage should be changed regularly, at least once a week
Step 5. Place the cage in a quiet and warm area
Noisy areas can stress the sparrow so it won't breed. Therefore, place the cage in a quiet, quiet, and warm area.
Place the cage in an area that is not exposed to cold winds
Part 2 of 3: Breeding Zebra Sparrows
Step 1. Purchase a pair of male and female zebra sparrows
You can buy zebra sparrows in pairs. If you want to buy them separately, first identify the characteristics of male and female zebra sparrows. The male sparrow has reddish-orange cheeks and a black stripe on its chest. The female zebra sparrow has gray cheeks and no black stripes on her chest. However, male and female zebra sparrows are quite difficult to distinguish when they are under 6 weeks old. Therefore, if you are not sure, ask for professional help to distinguish the sex of zebra sparrows.
- You can buy zebra sparrows at a pet store, online, or at a trusted bird breeder. If possible, buy a pair of zebra sparrows that are close enough. Check with the pet store owner or bird breeder if an imminent pair of zebra sparrows is available or not.
- Zebra sparrows must be healthy and 9-12 months old to breed. Healthy birds are generally more alert and active. In addition, the fur will look clean and not disheveled.
- Make sure the zebra sparrow pair is not blood related. Baby birds born from inbreeding are generally less healthy and disabled.
- If you have a large enough cage, you can place several pairs of zebra sparrows in it. The zebra sparrow is a sociable bird species.
Step 2. Give the zebra sparrow the sprouted seeds and leafy greens
Zebra sparrows love to eat sparrows, worms, and millet. However, to encourage breeding of zebra sparrows, provide the birds with germinated seeds and green vegetables.
- You can place bird feed in a container or cage base.
- You can make your own bird feed sprouts or buy them at the nearest store.
- Clean the vegetables with clean water then slice until smooth.
Step 3. Place the bird's nest materials into the cage
These materials can encourage the breeding of zebra sparrows. Place dry grass or other bird's nest material in the cage. Zebra sparrows will use these materials to build their own nests.
- Zebra sparrows can also use bird nest boxes. You can use a small basket or bowl (wicker or plastic). Place this nest around the cage.
- Do not use thread.
Step 4. Wait for the zebra sparrows to mate
Zebra sparrows will mate when conditions are favorable. The male sparrow may carry dry grass while jumping up and down at the female sparrow. This is done to show that he can build a nest. If after a month the zebra sparrows don't mate, there may be something wrong. Contact your veterinarian immediately if this occurs.
When birds are about to mate or build nests, make sure the green vegetables in the cage are eaten. Some birds may take these leafy greens to their nests and end up rotting
Part 3 of 3: Caring for Mother and Baby Zebra Sparrows
Step 1. Observe the female sparrow starting to lay eggs and incubating the eggs
The female zebra sparrow can lay up to 7 eggs, 1 every day. Both male and female sparrows will incubate their eggs during this period. After the sparrow eggs are seen, the eggs will hatch after 2 weeks.
If after 3 weeks the eggs have not hatched, the eggs may not be fertile. Remove the egg from the cage
Step 2. Remove the nesting materials from the cage after the female sparrow lays her eggs
After the bird lays its eggs, remove any remaining nesting material from the bottom of the cage. Otherwise, the sparrow will build the nest in layers (egg on the bottom, then a nest on top, then another egg on top, and so on). Sparrows will continue to breed, but in order to stay healthy, sparrows need to be given adequate rest before breeding again.
You can also remove another bird's nest box if there are no other bird pairs in the cage
Step 3. Let the baby sparrows be fed by the mother
Zebra sparrows can feed their babies on their own, so you don't need to help them. After 2 weeks, baby zebra sparrows begin to grow their feathers. After approximately 18 days, the baby sparrows will begin to emerge from the nest. After that, the mother sparrow will continue to feed her baby for 2-3 weeks.
If you wean your sparrows too early, their health may deteriorate
Step 4. Give the mother zebra sparrow egg protein
Buy bird feed that contains high protein eggs. Giving a mother zebra sparrow egg protein can make her baby healthier and stronger. You can also give the mother bird regular bird feed.
Step 5. Observe the sparrow chicks that are ready to be separated
Generally, after 4-5 weeks, the mother zebra sparrow will begin to wean its young, especially when it has laid eggs again. If this happens, move the sparrow chicks to a different cage so they can be separated from their mother.
If the chicks are not ready to move, you can separate the eggs from the mother sparrow. By doing this, the mother sparrow will be more focused on her chicks
Step 6. Don't breed zebra sparrows too often
If left unchecked, zebra sparrows will continue to breed. Preferably, a pair of zebra sparrows should not be bred more than 4 times per year. To prevent the sparrows from breeding, feed them a special diet for sparrows and avoid green vegetables. Also, make sure there are no nesting materials in the sparrow's cage if you don't want to breed it.
