I remember my very first birds, a pair of zebras bought in 1984 when I was 14, some what against the grain as my dad was a well respected budgie breeder at the time, having bred an extremely rare all black budgie. Within a couple of months the zebras had 4 chicks, and so was launched a lifetime obsession, being completely fascinated watching them grow daily. Since then I have kept canaries, waxbills, and all manner of finches, but there will always be room for my 'first loves' no matter what happens.Zebra Finches originate from Australia where they are widespread, inhabiting all areas where adequate food, water and shelter are to be found. They are gregarious birds living in flocks or colonies, and seedling grasses provide the major part of their diet. In the wild breeding can commence at any time of year given the right environmental conditions, of which rainfall would seem to be the most critical. Unless there is sufficient rain to promote the growth of grasses and other plants, parent birds will have insufficient food to rear their young.In many ways Zebra finches are ideal pets for newcomers to the hobby of keeping birds. They are generally inexpensive, relatively hardy, easily managed and will breed successfully with very little encouragement.Before buying Zebra Finches it is essential that they can be housed properly when brought home. Zebra finches do not enjoy being kept in total isolation and provision needs to be made for at least a pair of birds. If they breed additional accommodation needs to be provided if youngsters are to be successfully reared. It is quite possible to keep Zebra Finches in the home providing you are prepared to put up with any minor inconveniences this may cause. A box type cage is most suitable and this should measure at least 60cm (24") long, 38cm (15") high and 38cm (15") wide. It is important to position the cage in a suitable position within your home. Kitchens are not generally ideal places to keep birds, nor should they be placed close to any form of heater or draught. A position which has plenty of natural light and as relatively cool as possible is preferable. I have two 8'x8' outdoor aviaries, in which I have raised zebras for the past few years, but I must admit that I have found breeding success to be far more successful in cages. From my own trials I have found that cages on average out perform communal flights four fold, as it only takes one bully to ruin the whole balance of the community - and it does happen. I once witnessed one new introduction, a good looking dominant cream cock, go to each nest box and systematically kick out the occupants causing all sorts of mayhem, finally after testing 14 different sites he eventually decided that his first choice was the one for him, after having evicted 4 newborns to the aviary floor.Zebra Finches will usually thrive on a simple basic diet of seed, grit and water. Being small birds they eat often and should always have access to a suitable seed mixture. This is usually sold as Foreign Finch Mixture consisting of various millets and small canary seed. Grit is an essential part of their diet enabling them to digest seed more efficiently. Mineralised grit is the most beneficial a little powdered charcoal will also be appreciated. Water must be supplied at all times and refreshed at least twice a week preferably daily, they also love a bath so feel free to give them one as as often as possible, if their are young in the aviary put a few stones or marbles in the bottom of the dish to avoid them getting waterlogged and drowning. When there are hatchlings in the nests, it is wise to cancel bath-time, as it has been known for a damp hen to accidentally drag her offspring out of the nestbox after 'sticking to the lightweight youngsters. I feed my zebras on a foreign finch mix, giving them plenty of cuttlefish, ground shell and grit to help digestion, as well as sprouted seeds from Spring till the end of Summer. Once or twice a year I even give them a bit of live food, I don't know how beneficial it is to their health but it entertains them for hours, as well as myself, watching them tip toe around their quarry before the bravest takes a first bite and then they all join in and a scuffle breaks out. You can give them egg food running up to the breeding period, but personally I have never seen the need and as yet I have never lost a hen to egg binding in 15 years so I don't think it's necessary.Sadly, about a year ago my collection was decimated when on one night a rat attack killed 20 of my selected birds, only two remained and two years of developing the perfect 'silver penguin' and 'black cheeked white' were gone. Don't underestimate a rat - this fella got through 1 inch ply before nipping all the birds on the back of the neck and neatly arranging them in one corner. Needless to say when he returned the next night I was ready and he met with a watery end.When birds are bred in controlled conditions it is usual for new colours or new mutations to be produced. In this respect Zebra Finches are no exception and in addition to the normal or Grey Zebra finch, which is the colour of birds in the wild there now exists a whole range of different colours, making it possible to maintain a varied and interesting collection. Some of the more recognised mutations are very commonly found, I have always been a big fan of such colour mutations. Fawns, pieds, cream recessives, penguins, yellow beaks, and other mutations give an added interest to an already excellent all-rounder. Recently I have found out about the bizarre colour mutations going on in the States, (trust the yanks to take things to the extreme, pure jealousy I must admit!) if you have not seen these unbelievable colours I have put a link at the bottom of the page for your perusal. If of course you do know of any in the UK, please let me know - I'll travel!I have never shown my birds, gaining pleasure enough from their antics alone nor have I ever been a member of a society - not sure why, because I do enjoy sharing tales and picking peoples brains about their experiences (so feel free to get in touch) .The only form of credit I can claim to have is writing and illustrating a kids guide to zebras published as a collection of guides on CDRom.If there was an award for value for money amongst the bird keeping world you would have to go a long way to beat that of the Zebra Finch, undermined by many and their inexpensive price, I think these little birds are the bees knees.

Laurance TrigwellMy email:laus@mac.com

Unusual Colour Mutations: Zebrafinch.com