FINCHforum

Hi All,

i need some advice from experienced Gouldian keepers.

I am keen to get some gouldians in the coming months (when summer comes around) best time to buy them here in Sydney.

What I want to know is what are your top 5 secrets in keeping them, breeding them, raising them, feeding them, medicating them???

any advice would be most beneficial

Thanks

From my limited experience.....

Prevenative treatment for air sac mites
correct temperature
have at all time available for them the following
charcoal, herb salad, egg food and mineral grit.
I am sure many others here would have some great
advice for you. But for me this worked. Haven't lost
one yet! Although I am hesitant to brag because
I did that last night about how none of our finches have ever
escaped the aviary and one did this morning. But he flew
into the house so all was well.

I'm not an experienced Gouldian keeper, but I would say #1 would have to be patience! These guys take forever to settle in to breeding, and forever to molt. Other species, when doing their juvie molt, are into their adult colors in no time at all--my Gouldians have been dragging on for months. You also need patience when trying to get them to eat new foods, or even veggies at all.

It really helps when you have teacher birds. I was so happy this week to observe mine eating romaine lettuce and some fresh egg food.
I did not know they were doing that, but now that I am home for the summer I can watch them more. It is great! So much fun. Maybe early retirement?

Largest cage space available...

Privacy and non interference when laying/sitting...

Additional source of iodine...Powdered Kelp or similar...

Younger cock bird with older hen...

Persevere with parent rearing...

Plus a few dozen others but the above would do for starters.

Paul.

poohbear wrote:
Additional source of iodine...Powdered Kelp or similar...

.Paul.

I bought some kelp about a month ago and put it in a small dish for mine and made it available at all times. I was shocked at how much my gouldians ate. So I guess they really needed this. I have always heard they eat the things their little bodies need.

I also provide daily eggfood when they're molting - the protein helps with feather production. Also, don't keep them with super-busy birds - the goulds tend to get nervous and will be in a constant molt.

Hilary wrote:Also, don't keep them with super-busy birds - the goulds tend to get nervous and will be in a constant molt.

I forgot about gouldians not liking too much action around them. I just organised to pick up 2 pairs of sea green red faced parrot finches to mix into the gouldians aviary. Damn, looks like I'm going to have to build another aviary.

I forgot about gouldians not liking too much action around them. I just organised to pick up 2 pairs of sea green red faced parrot finches to mix into the gouldians aviary. Damn, looks like I'm going to have to build another aviary.[/quote]


Matt, I have a pair or red head parrot finches in my open aviary. They work fine with the gouldians. They really don't bother them at all. If you aviary is large enough, the gouldians will get in a quiet place and be fine. Mine have taken a while to molt and I am not sure if that is why or not.
But they do very well together because the parrot finches are so passive.

Thanks for the replies people. Will have to keep your tips in mind when I buy some gouldians.

But they do very well together because the parrot finches are so passive.

Maybe the red faced version is a little calmer than blue faced. My blue faced out compete everything in the aviary (including zebras) and once their numbers build up they seem to just completely dominate. Not so much with aggression, but more their busy lifestyle and constant eating. My poor nuns didn't know what hit them when the blue faced moved in.
I was already intending on another aviary anyway, so i'll just have to fast track that a little.

I also started with gouldians this year and can't reiterate more what sally mentioned. Patience, Patience, Patience. Mine are very happy chirpy and lively and love all their food but breeding them is another story.

My pair are most probably a young pair and they are on their third attempt to produce babies and nothing yet, so just be patient with them.

I've been breeding Gouldians for donkeys years...last year was particularly prolific and I had to remove boxes to stop them breeding and raising chicks.
This year...same conditions,diet etc. And I've had nothing but infertile eggs.
Just goes to show even us oldies have problems when we think we can breed them with one hand tied behind our backs....I'll let them have one more go then remove boxes for a few months and try again.

So if any of you first timers with birds in cages the size of shoe boxes raise lots of chicks.......
I DON'T WANNA KNOW!

Paul.

What is everyones set up when it comes to breeding/keeping them do you keep them in cabinets, small flights, suspended, large outdoor aviaries?

What do you recommend

how many to start with? ratio?

Where to get them?

what size breeding box?

How much of an area do a pair need?

Best solutions for cold weather and drafts?

how many to start with? ratio?
You mean how many pairs? It's up to you if you're talking about cage breeding. If you're talking about in an aviary, don't have an extra hen or cock and at least 3 pair or more.
Where to get them?
I've only purchased mine thru other breeders directly or at a bird mart.
what size breeding box?
Mine measure about 5 inches square on the inside.
How much of an area do a pair need?
My cages are 18" x 18" x 30" for each pair.
Best solutions for cold weather and drafts?
My cages are indoors!