FINCHforum

We are thinking of buying a cage that is 60" long by 18" deep by 36" tall. We have only one pair of gouldians right now but are looking for others to add to the cage once we have it. So what would be a good number to keep them all happy and healthy? We are thinking more gouldians, zibra, society ?

thanks

The cage calculator at finchinfo says 3-5 birds for that size cage. However, I have 5 Gouldians in a cage that is 30x18x36tall, exactly half the size you are talking about, and they get along great. I would stick with Gouldians, or you can add Societies, but I wouldn't add Zebras--they may be too boisterous for the Gouldians.

I am thinking of taking two of those 30x18x36 cages and putting them together to make a flight cage the size you are talking about. I did this once before, but didn't do it right and it was kind of rickety, so I need to do a better job of it this time. Then, I had mostly Zebras, so had a bunch in there--don't remember exactly how many I did have, but think it was at least 6 or 8.

So much of determining how many birds in a cage depends on the birds themselves. Breeding pairs usually need their own cage, some breeds do better in a colony setting (even in cages) than others. The more pushy the breed, the fewer birds in a cage.

I agree... it depends on if you're planning on adding nests and letting them breed.

I have a flight cage that is about 64"x24"x36" and I have between 10-13 birds in there at a time. They all seem to have enough room, but I don't keep pushy or mean species in there. I keep all passive species in that flight, so they all get along great and I think they have a lot of fun together. In fact, I have a lot of singles in there without mates, and they seem to cuddle up with whoever.

But, with that size cage (if you are adding nests) I would not put any zebra pairs in there, especially with your poor gouldians who would probably be picked on. Gouldians and societies do very well together.

So about 6 either of gouldian or a few more gouldian and a few society? We have a smaller cage that our pair of gouldians are in right now so we will have it if needed or for breeding or a spare cage for when we buy a new bird to keep on its own before going in with the rest.
I think with the reading I have done I think when I want a pair to breed move them into a cage for just themselfs just prior to breeding and then that will be their cage until the clutch is old enough be without them.
There is a bird show this weekend just a few minutes from us so we thought it would be a great family day for us all to do tomorrow and get a few good leads on a few breeders in the area and make some new conections as well.....