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Hi! I have a male Zebra finch that has bonded with a Spice finch that I am fostering. Surprisingly, they have mated and now I'm wondering if it's possible to have Zebra-Spice hybrid chicks. I hope not!! I'm worried that the Spice finch is going to lay eggs, as she is spending much of her time in the nest that she and the Zebra finch sleep in at night. I also have a White-Headed Mannikin in the same cage, and the Spice finch also seems bonded to the White-Headed Mannikin. Please let me know if it looks like I will have chicks. If so, I will need to separate the Spice and Zebra finches. Thanks for your advice!

Yes, it's possible to have hybrid chicks from the mix of birds you have. To prevent it take the nestbox away. Are your birds outdoors? I ask because I wonder if they need the nests for roosting and protection from the elements.

Have you actually seen them mate? Other reasons the Spice is staying in the nest could be because she's stressed due to harassment from the other birds, the cage is overcrowded , or she's ill. If you have an overly aggressive Zebra (and it's not uncommon!) he could be forcing her to stay in the nest.

If she lays and you don't want chicks, then toss the eggs once she's thru laying. Then remove the nest. Another option is to puncture the eggs with a needle, place them back in the nest and let her continue brooding them.

1. There is no reason to produce zebra hybrids, and they are sterile anyway. Zebra males will mate with anything !

2. A while-headed/spice hybrid might be interesting. The male hybrids should be fertile. Some folks might be against it,
but there are a lot of mannikin hybrids in Japan, aimed toward producing more variations of societies. It's more of an emotional
rather than a rational issue.

Thanks for your help with this matter. The finches are indoors, and so far the Spice finch has not laid any eggs, which is good. I was definitely worried when I saw her mating with my male Zebra finch! I put two nests in the finches' cage because I understand most finches like to roost in them at night. (The White Headed Mannikin has shown no interest in the nest. Only the Zebra and Spice finches like to nest together.) If I do see eggs, I will probably freeze them before putting them back in the nest to ensure that they don't hatch. Even if I could end up with hybrid chicks, don't want to add to the overpopulation of pet birds, which definitely exists.

Thanks again!

Freezing didn't work with my cockatiel eggs long ago. They would almost always crack in the freezer and then the birds would rush to eat them. I didn't mind their eating them, but that left none for the hen to sit. Boiling very gently for about 8 minutes and then cooling carefully has always worked here. Shaking most definitely does not work with such small eggs.