Have 2, will 2 more be too many?

[LauraBird]

Hi,
I bought my first gouldians a few weeks ago and loooooove them! I have a 30" x 22" flight cage (I know height is less important) with 5 perches, a nest box (just in case), food, water, bell pepper, cuttlebone, vitamins, avian light, etc.
I would like to add 2 more. Would that be too crowded?
I was thinking of getting a double flight cage, but I just bought a single one and that was expensive enough...any ideas? Thanks!

[Dayna]

I personally think that that size will be fine for the 4 but I would not add anymore after that and I would also remove the nest. If a pair goes to nest then your cage will become very overcrowded when the babies fledge.

[wellingtoncdm]

Hi. Are your birds a pair? If yes then another pair might not be welcome in that size cage. It's always best to have too much room than not enough.

[LauraBird]

They are a pair. However, they were just paired up when I bought them (he was in a separate cage with his sister, but I didn't want to buy siblings in the unlikely chance they bred) a few weeks ago and I have removed the nest because I don't want these two to breed.

[wellingtoncdm]

One pair per cage is usually best. What colors are they? Pictures??

[LauraBird]

I will post a picture as soon as I can figure out how to do it!

I thought you could keep a "flock" of finches?

[Dayna]

It really depends on the cage size. Length is better than height and width. Like I said I don't think that 4 is too many because you can and will get more than that if they were to breed. Don't put in a nest and do not put more than 4 in the cage. Add some greenery and maybe an extra perch or two so that they can get some privacy if they want and you should be fine. There is no set "rule" for how many birds you can keep per cage. They are more guidelines and/or opinions. You can do what you like but if you go overboard you can overcrowd your cages and you will get sick birds because of it.

[finchmix22]

If you mean you have a single flight cage, which is 32x22x36? That can hold four, but it can easily become crowded, once you add greenery, perches, nests, etc. If you mean you have a white breeder cage of 30x20x18, then that would be crowded with 4 gouldians.

I have a pair of owls in a 30x20x18 breeder cage. I tried four, but the males started fighting because there was not enough room for them to feel they had their own space for perching and nesting, even though there were two different nests and two perches on each end of the cage.

I have double flight cages, 64x22x36, which is basically two single flights without the divider. I house same sexed finches in each of those, keeping the number between 8-10. I feel that is crowded, but most of the finches are Society's and they don't seem to mind less space.

Finally, I have a double flight, 64x22x36, with a pair of RTPF's and a pair of Forbes PF. I had six in that flight, but they pecked one of the Forbes hens eye out, so I moved one pair. Now, they get along much better.

Hope this helps.

[Sally]

Cage sizes are definitely guides, it depends on so many variables--breeding or not breeding, same sex or m/f pairs, same species or mixed species. And some same species won't work because they are aggressive to their own.

For that size cage, with no breeding activity, four Gouldians might be OK. Keep in mind that there are differences in personalities even within the species, and you always have to have a plan B, in case you have to separate one or more birds. And even without any nests or nesting materials, birds can and do still come into breeding condition. That is when any trouble usually starts, as they jockey for territory. And if you don't want breeding, I would definitely take out the nest. They don't need it for sleeping, they will do just fine on a perch, and nestboxes stimulate the breeding instinct.

How tall is the cage? Even though height doesn't matter much, length is way more important, I find that I can push the numbers a bit more if the cage is a taller one. They still all want to occupy a perch near the top, but having baths and/or treat dishes at the bottom encourages exercise.

[skyjump100]

I have my Gouldians in cages 30x22x36 and started with 2 pairs whihc was fine but for breeding I only have one pair otherwise it becomes very crowded especially if they go down for a second clutch.
I agree with Sally that the birds get more exercise in a taller cage which I can evidence as my red headed pair are in a flight cage that is the same width and depth but only half the depth and they are certainly not as active. They are still happy but I dont think they are getting as much exercise.

[LauraBird]

I have what I would guess is a standard flight cage, probably 30x22x36.

I went to my local bird store (they got new gouldians in) and they had a male I would want (red head) but I was looking for a black headed female, which they didn't have. So I will be patient and wait.

I did see some crested society finches, and could see adding 2 of those if I bought a double flight cage. I know they would get along fine with gouldians, but are they noisier? I don't mind the singing but my husband has been dreaming about having moments of silence (good luck with 2 kids, 2 dogs, birds, snake, tortoise, fish, etc.).

[finchmix22]

Welcome to the Forum. Tell your husband, this is just the beginning! I started with 4 Society's in 2010 and now, I have over 50 finches! LOL