I am scared to death..

Evelyn48 · Post by **Evelyn48** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:40 am

We bought these Gouldian Finches yesterday, see my intro, and I have been reading a lot on the web, and this is the first time we have ever had them, I keep reading a novice should not buy them..

So are they that fragile? What do I need to know so they don't die?

Post by **Sally** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 11:52 am

Hi, Evelyn, and welcome! You did what so many of us have done--an impulse purchase! It is easy to fall in love with the Gouldians, they are so strikingly beautiful. Don't be put off by scary things you read. Though Gouldians are not the easiest to start with, they are not the hardest finch to keep, either. Forty years ago, Gouldians were considered very difficult, and only for the very experienced birdkeeper. They are not so delicate today.

Read all the info at the Finch Information Center linked at left, not only species info on LGs, but all the general info as well. If you give them the proper housing, a good varied diet, and a little supplementation, there is no reason you can't keep Gouldians.

Evelyn48 · Post by **Evelyn48** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 12:09 pm

Whew, thank you so much I feel better, it kinda wasn't impulse, we had looked at them many times, but I should have done my homework first, growing up my Mother alwasy had a Canary and Parakeet..but some of the things I have read scared me...thanks again..

franny · Post by **franny** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 1:30 pm

Evelyn48 wrote:Whew, thank you so much I feel better, it kinda wasn't impulse, we had looked at them many times, but I should have done my homework first, growing up my Mother alwasy had a Canary and Parakeet..but some of the things I have read scared me...thanks again..

Hi Evelyn48,

Welcome. You sure came to the right place.

Sally is experienced, so if she says they are not so delicate now, then I'm sure she's right. I think the absolutely most important thing with any finch, is the diet. So definitely read all the posts in the diet/nutrition section, especially with regard to Gouldians. With the right variety of foods, and a good sized cage so they can exercise, you will do fine with them, I'm sure. It might sound like a lot of work, when you start reading, but it's actually fun to provide a variety of foods, and watch their excitement at trying new things.

I'm new to the more exotic finches as well. I mostly had societies in the past, but am now keeping a pair of GB Waxbills. Thanks to all the information I've found here, I know mine are getting a good diet, and although I've only had them 3 months, they have successfully raised a clutch of 4. Fun, colorful little birds. They were actually my second choice....I really wanted gouldians, but they are very expensive here - approx. $300 a pair, so I got the GBs which were $140 for the pair. Shhhh, don't want them to hear that they were second choice!

Evelyn48 · Post by **Evelyn48** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 2:08 pm

Thanks Franny, gosh we got our at a bird show yesterday and they were 45 dollars a pair..eekk I have seen them though for over 100 is a pet store..approx. $300 a pair what they are where you live, is a lot..

I have a lot of reading to do..

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:06 pm

$45 a pair is cheap...in the UK the average is £50 pair so I would expect in the States to see them around $100

I've been breeding gouldians for many years...they can be hard to keep.But sometimes new keepers wonder what all the fuss is about when their birds proceed to breed like rabbits.
But I know very experienced breeders in the UK who have given up on gouldians as being very difficult.
Buying good stock from an experienced breeder can make all the difference.
I note you have two cocks ...so you won't have to contend with the more common problems associated with breeding.

Evelyn48 · Post by **Evelyn48** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:13 pm

Yes I didn't want babies, I knew we got them cheap, we have looked at them before is a pet store and some were wll over a hundred for each.

Well I hope we can do good by our new little guys, I am trying my best to be a good mom..

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:47 pm

I am sure you will do just fine with your Gouldians. The fact that you are asking questions and joining here gives you a good start in caring for your finches.

I only have two Gouldians and was very nervous about getting some because I too heard they were hard to keep but I did a lot of research and got most of my great information from this forum and the Finch Info Center link.

It is great to have the support and all the combined knowledge of this forum.

And also enjoying the good laughs and giggles we get from a few of "Those Nuts Who Shall Remain Nameless" on this board...you will soon find out who they are...hehe!

Any pics you can share would be welcome....we love to see birdie pics!!

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:50 pm

Your name too has now been added to the 'LIST'

F-e-a-t-h-e-r-h-a-r-p

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:57 pm

Oh LOOK...LOOK..at the above post!!

...here is one now....they always come out of the woodwork when you talk about them...hehe!

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 4:18 pm

Don't know what you mean....

Evelyn48 · Post by **Evelyn48** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 4:31 pm

I was trying to figure out what Pooh bear and FeatherHarp meant, okay now I know..

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 4:35 pm

Sorry to hijack your thread....gotta have a giggle now and again 'aincha???

kittani79 · Post by **kittani79** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 7:01 pm

I don't think gouldians have to be any more difficult than any other bird. It probably depends on your source and how well you keep them.

I got gouldians as my first finch. The girl is from petsmart and is about 2-3 years old now, the male I got at a bird show. They are doing great.

Post by **Sally** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 2:25 am

$45 for two of them is very cheap. At the last mart, they were selling from $55 to $75 each for normals. I sold mine for $65 each. Blues and silvers sell for upwards of $200 each.

You can try offering your boys different foods (veggies, etc.), but don't worry if they don't seem interested. Gouldians are notorious picky eaters, so don't obssess about it. They do have a need for more iodine in their diet than most species, so you can offer them some powdered kelp or put liquid iodine in their water--helps to keep them from balding.