heat for gouldians

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Sun May 25, 2008 7:52 am

Is extra heat beneficial for gouldians when they are molting?
I have having a TIME with my three goulds that are molting. I was thinking of catching them and putting them into a cage with a heat lamp.
They are just wanting to sleep and look awful to me. Of course this is my first time dealing with their molt and I am so worried about them.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Sun May 25, 2008 8:07 am

Some birds take many months....some of mine look real scruffy for ages.
I should leave well alone,the more you move and upset them ...the longer it can take.
One of the reasons Gouldians are expensive is because of the length of time they have to be kept before they look smart enough to sell on. Zebras look immaculate after a few weeks.
Paul.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Sun May 25, 2008 8:25 am

okay, I am going to leave them where they are in the aviary. But they are sleeping alot and that concerned me.
Also, would it help if I put a lamp over the cage that I have in there. They come and go in and out of it. Then they could get under the heat if needed.
Thanks for your help poohbear. I consider you the pro when it come to goulds and they really scare me.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Sun May 25, 2008 9:33 am

You don't mention what the temperatures are in your part of the world at this time of year.If they are low then by all means fix a heat lamp where they can take advantage of it.
I forget the name, but heat bulbs made for reptile keepers may be worth looking at.
My birds are kept at a minimum of 50f in the winter,but there's no doubt 70f would be better.The cost of energy nowadays makes this a no no as far as I'm concerned.
Gouldians in captivity are little devils for napping during the day,a disconcerting habit that catches me out all the time.Many's the time I've been ready to catch up a sickly looking bird, just to see it buzzing round normally an hour later.
Paul.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Sun May 25, 2008 9:59 am

poohbear wrote:You don't mention what the temperatures are in your part of the world at this time of year.If they are low then by all means fix a heat lamp where they can take advantage of it.
I forget the name, but heat bulbs made for reptile keepers may be worth looking at.
My birds are kept at a minimum of 50f in the winter,but there's no doubt 70f would be better.The cost of energy nowadays makes this a no no as far as I'm concerned.
Gouldians in captivity are little devils for napping during the day,a disconcerting habit that catches me out all the time.Many's the time I've been ready to catch up a sickly looking bird, just to see it buzzing round normally an hour later.
Paul.

That makes me feel much better. They are in a tempurature controlled sunroom. Right now in the night the temps around 68-70f and in the hottest part of the day it gets to around 80f in there. I think this is okay don't you?
They have about 3-4 different places to bath and lots of drinking water.
I am going to leave them for now and watdh them. I teach school during the day, but it was out on Friday so I will be home more to check on them. By the way, I had three baby goulds to hatch out since yesterday. The dad is a yellow back with a purple bread and the mom is a red head normal. Do you think I have a chance of any of them being yellow backs? I am soooo excited about these babies and they are doing great so far.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Sun May 25, 2008 11:16 am

If those are your temperatures you certainly don't need a heat lamp.Absolutely ideal for Gouldians.As for colours you'll have to wait and see.
Paul.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Sun May 25, 2008 3:02 pm

Thanks Paul!!