Everyone wants the same nest box!

[lyzzyjayne]

Hello! I recently purchased 2 Gouldian pairs and one Society Pair. After trips to the vet and quarrantine they are happily sharing a cage 32W x 30h x 21 3/4 d. Despite having 3 ABBA nest boxes and 1 basket type box, they ALL want to be in the one ABBA nest box the Socities have chosen. I was thinking they'd all settle for their own, but it's been a few weeks now. Is this normal? Thank You~

[ac12]

Are all the nest boxes at the same height?
My birds seem to want to roost on the highest perch, similarly they may want the highest nest.

[wellingtoncdm]

Try rearranging all the boxes. I agree with Gary they usually like the highest one. That size cage may not work for three pairs.

[lyzzyjayne]

Thank You for your replies. The boxes are all at the same height.

Wellington- Do you think my cage is too small?

[wellingtoncdm]

It may work. Most have better luck with one pair per cage or multiple pairs in really large cages. Societies can be very involved in the gouldian nests. The two gouldian pairs may harass each other. That size cage is great for letting young grow up.

[ac12]

I did not notice the cage size. I agree that the cage is too small for 3 breeding pairs. If each pair had 3 or 4 chicks, the number of birds in the cage would be 15-19 birds. That is WAY too many birds for that size cage. I was taught to size the breeding cage for the parents + chicks.

I always breed 1 pair per breeding cage.
This allows me to control what birds breed together, so I have some control of the offspring that is produced. For me this is important, because I am breeding to get a specific color scheme.

I would not put societies with breeding gouldians, as the societies my take over the gouldian nest.

[lyzzyjayne]

So far, only the two Societies show any interest in each other. What would you suggest for cage size-separation-etc? I am new to Finches. Thanx So Much!

[kenny66]

I would:
1. Seperate the gouldians from the Societies (too much interferance when breeding)
2. If you are stuck, try the 2 pr goulds in one cage but better for each pair to have their own cage if possible
3. If you really want to have 2pr goulds in one cage it would probably be better if you could provide a bigger cage with privacy areas for the nest box positioning

[lyzzyjayne]

Thank You so much! If was was just wanting the birds for pets and not to have babies would I just take out ALL nest boxes and they would sleep on perches? The gal I got them from sent a nest box with them, so I didn't even think that they might not NEED a box and it would only induce breeding behavior. I just thought they were supposed to have boxes. Please excuse my naivety. I just want happy, healthy finches.

[ac12]

Yes, if you do NOT want them to breed, remove the nest.
The only time I put a nest in a cage is when I want them to breed, otherwise no nest.
They will go to the highest perch to sleep.

[wellingtoncdm]

I agree. The cage should work if there is no breeding going on and no nest boxes. Just keep an eye on the gouldian boys.

[kenny66]

take out the next boxes and th e problem will be solved

[lyzzyjayne]

Thank You Gentlemen! Do I still need to seperate out the Societies from the Goulds? Also, If I take the nest box away will they be stressed? Not worried about the Goulds so much as the little Societies. I picked up a nice 30 " flight cage yesterday. One pair of Goulds the male is in a pretty heavy molt and the female is pretty aloof,so I thought I might put them in there with NO BOX and a little extra heat till the male is finished molting and has a rest and feels better for sure. The other pair of Goulds are definately a couple and the Societies are building a nest. I would like to try a first clutch with the Socities since they seem well on their way, would I would need to move the other Gould pair out tho,or just TOTALLY rearrange the nest boxes so they can start from scratch?

[wellingtoncdm]

If letting the societies breed is your goal then move them to the other cage. If coaxing the gouldian through his molt is your goal then they get the cage. I would add a heat lamp to the gouldian's cage and increase egg food. The societies, which can harbor diseases that affect gouldians, will do great in the other cage but... They breed like rabbits!! Also the increased protein in the gouldian cage may drive the other pair into breeding mode. Ideally you would have three cages and each pair gets their own. You also may need to separate the gouldians into male cage and female cage to rest them from always trying to stay in breeding mode. t's complicated.

[debbie276]

I would leave the society's in their own cage with the nest they have already built. Move all the gouldians without nests into the other cage with heat and egg food. The heat will help if they are stressed from molting and/or moving them around and the high protein of hard boiled eggs will also help with their molt.
When you are ready to breed your gouldians you would be better off getting each pair their own cage unless you have the funds to get a VERY large one.
As far as the society's being carriers of Campylobacter and/or Cochlosoma that would effect the gouldians, it's really too late to worry about that because they were already exposed to each other by putting them together.

Good luck and please keep us posted on your progress.