FINCHforum

My gouldians seem to enjoy chewing/nibbling/playing with orchard grass. I'd taken it away the same time I removed their nests since its original purpose was as nesting material, but is it okay to provide it year-round, for them to chew on and mess around with? Or does that encourage breeding instincts?

GouldieFledge

Most of the bird kids enjoy playing with orchard grass, Timothy hay, and so on. I also bring home all sorts of wild grasses, twigs, branches, etc. from my morning dog walks. My guys love it.

If there are no nest boxes available, I highly doubt that your Gouldians will attempt to construct a nest out of grass. They are not renown for their nest building abilities, like some other species.

Agree with Elana. If they enjoy playing with it I see no harm in letting them have some.
Gouldians nest in hollows of trees and sometimes termite mounds, not even sure they would know how to build a nest without a box.