FINCHforum

Poking around various sites looking for cages and whatever, and I found an ad that's only been up less than 24 hours for FREE Gouldians, says "breeder downsizing" and "healthy birds". And it's only about an hour and a half from here. The picture shows an absolutely beautiful bird.

And I don't have room for any more cages just yet, (tho I do have some empty cages of various sizes), and had no plans to add Gouldians to our flock. When you all start talking about your RHPBYSJKLMNOP gouldians, my eyes glaze over and my head spins. But they are so pretty, and they are free, and if I don't call soon, they will be gone, but we weren't going to get any gouldians, and I don't have a place to put the cage and......

Free gouldians in my area. geez. who woulda thought?

Get them, get them!

Actually, yeah, it's wise to evaluate whether or not it's a good idea, since you weren't planning to do Goulds. There is such a thing as "in over your head", so you don't want to go there.

"Healthy" birds could be a catchy way to draw you into "free" birds...use caution. Usually with healthy birds of quality you would think that the breeder would try to sell his stock and not give it freely away. If you call, ask a ton of questions... "free" is not always a good thing.

Of course we'd check carefully, and walk away if they weren't healthy. Also saw a free cockatiel with cage listed right next door, the poor bird is half plucked and described as "mean" and a few worse words I won't repeat, also says it was a rescue, but it definitely needs rescuing again, but I couldn't, wouldn't, take that poor creature on. May make a few calls to try and get it taken in to a decent place, at least.

I've been planning to do finally let some of my zebras breed, and some of the societies breed. and to finally clear out what's supposed to be our dining room and make it the bird room, which would then make more cage room. But it's just not happening, yet.

but these beautiful gouldians, free!.....

if I just debate it a little longer, they'll be gone, and then I won't have to worry about it.

Got to agree with Cindy here. I'd ask lots of questions and want to see them before committing to the buy. If you do get them be sure to quarantine.
Good luck, keep us posted

Heck yahzzzz!! I would make that special trip for free goulds anytime!! It would be obvious once you get there of how the person cares for the birds if you know what to look for and having a conversation with the owner.

I've experienced a craiglister RE craiglisting finches for more $$$ than what the original owner sold them for!! It was an awful experience for me and I am pretty sure the birds aren't thriving. The so called owner had a mess of a home and the air quality made my eyes burn!! The place was heavily drenched with the smell of cigarettes! I couldn't stand being inside I had to have the discussion outside AND a good 3 feet of personal space from her rancid smokers breath!

I sadly had to decline her outrageous price.....I went home and made a plea on craiglist for someone to please rescue those finches from that craiglist posting.......

My hubby says you can't save every poor animal....at least I tried.

Linda

There is great old saying "don't buy the price" and even though it's temping I agree with Cindy and Debbie. Ask tons if questions especially if you weren't actively looking for gouldians.

Do keep us posted on how this turns out. Good luck.

I have given away lots of gouldians......

If you want Gouldians and have the space for them, then I personally would think about checking it out. As others have said, ask LOTS of questions, and don't be convinced by photos--photos are too easy to steal from the internet and pass off as their own. Sometimes there are great finds out there, but it's not a great deal if more birds become a burden.

On the other hand, don't get them just because they are free. This seller may simply need to downsize quickly, but what he/she is not thinking about is that many people would grab up these birds simply to turn around and resell them--pure profit. And I was cautioned years ago never to advertise free birds on craigslist, etc., because the snake people are often looking for free food for their pets.

Well, saving them from the snake owners seems like a good reason for Nerien to hurry and get them!

I guess if the picture is really of the same birds and makes them look beautiful, then they could very well be healthy. But seeing them in person and asking questions is important.

It is true you gotta wonder why they aren't selling them for what they are worth, but a lot of times people don't know, or they just want to unload something in a hurry.

I got my first Gouldians from a Craigslist ad. The man was selling 2 of them with 4 societies and a cage quite cheaply, and even though I hadn't intended to own finches, I had always thought the Gouldians were very pretty, so here was my chance to get some, without the usual expense. It turned out the man's wife had died, and he didn't want to keep taking care of her birds. (He was actually no good at it, so it's good that he sold them.) So there can be a lot of reasons why people give stuff away, even thought they could sell it for more than they are asking.

Let me clarify.... I have not given them away on Craigslist. I have given them to people I KNOW would give them a good home. I would rather do that than sell them to someone I do not know on Craigslist.

One time I sold four gouldians to a member of this forum. He came to get them and I felt pretty good about it.....until.... he put the cage into his trunk! You just never know......

dfcauley

One time I sold four gouldians to a member of this forum. He came to get them and I felt pretty good about it.....until.... he put the cage into his trunk! You just never know......

OMG!!! That's CRAZY!!! You must have wanted to run and take them back from him!!! I cant imagine anyone putting a living being into a TRUNK!!!

Let me clarify.... I have not given them away on Craigslist. I have given them to people I KNOW would give them a good home. I would rather do that than sell them to someone I do not know on Craigslist.

I also have given them away but to people that I knew or were in contact with already. I never placed an ad