Gouldians in a 3'x2'x4' cage

chrischris · Post by **chrischris** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 9:56 am

Thanks Hilary,

I have a pair of goulds that have been on and off friendly with each other since I got them in August. Now they seem to be able to pearch together and sleep on the same pearch close to one another so perhaps a bond is forming between the two. However it is this pair where the male doesn't sing only chirp so just wondering if they will ever mate?

Post by **Hilary** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 1:44 pm

That's a great sign that they're perching and sleeping together - few gould pairs in my experience will do that (as they're not very cuddly birds).

chrischris · Post by **chrischris** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 9:52 pm

So time is what I need to do.

Gunnar · Post by **Gunnar** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 1:43 am

For want it's worth I've seen 3 pair do very well in a cage that size. If you can let them chose results thier own mates that always seems to bring better results. You mentioned putting 2 nestboxes in the cage. I would recomend using 4. That way all the pairs can have a choice and there will be less quarrels. You can usually watch and see who is sitting on eggs in which nest. With goulds this should be really acurate but it is not a sure guarantee of parentage like separate cages.
For what its worth,
Gunnar

chrischris · Post by **chrischris** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 9:29 pm

Would you put the nest boxes all in a row or have them spaced apart at the top of the cage. Or have some higher and lower?

Chris

Gunnar · Post by **Gunnar** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 11:09 pm

I'd start with 2 on opposite ends and put a couple in between. Or maybe one in each corner. You can vary the hight some but they rarley seem to choose the lowest nest if others are avalible. You may try a few large wicker nests and/or several types of boxes to give them a choice. I have some half open boxes, some with a hole, and some with an entry way (porch type) It seems like some pairs like some nests and others don't.
Gunnar