How many Gouldian pairs per cage?

[lyzzyjayne]

Ok- So I have my new Finches- 2 male Goulds and female Goulds from different sources and a pair of Societies. Right now I have them all together in one large cage. Is this a mistake? I am now reading that you should not house 2 Gould pairs in one cage,either 1 pair or 3 or more pairs. Is this true? Nobody has "paired up" yet as I just got the girls Sunday and they are still settling in. So Far the two male Goulds, whom I brought home a few weeks ago from the same source and at the same time as the Societies have been palling around with and sleeping with the Society pair every nite.... Thank You So Much!

[debbie276]

I would strongly recommend that when you get new birds you quarantine them before introducing them to your other birds.
I also would not house them with society's till you know for sure the society's are not carriers of Campylobacter and/or Cochlosoma, which is deadly to gouldians.

What size cage are you talking about? I used to house 2 pair of docile breeding gouldians in 48 inch long cages without any problems , it may not work if you have dominate birds though. I've since moved them all to walk in aviaries.
Housing them with society's may be a problem because the society's may push them off of their eggs and take over the nest.

[lyzzyjayne]

Hi Debbie! Thanx for your note. I have taken all birds to the Avian vet and had them fecal tested and treated the first batch for what they had (Trich), by mouth every day for 7 days and the new birds are all clear. The cage is 32w x 30h x 22d. Thanks Again! I have them all separate from my Parrotlet for at least 30 days just in case.

[debbie276]

That size cage MIGHT be ok for 2 pair of goulds but they would have to really be docile and get along together. It's a bit small for 2 clutches of chicks though.
Keep us posted on how you make out
best of luck

[lyzzyjayne]

I sure will. I'm not thinking I'll have babies anytime soon. I just want to make sure everyone's comfortable. I'll keep an eye on them and if it looks iffy,I'll do some moving.

[ac12]

If you don't plan on breeding them, make sure you don't put anything in the cage that looks like a nest, or they may start breeding. Even so, keep an eye on them, their behavior may change if they go into breeding mode.