Pairing Gouldians

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 3:57 pm

The cocks and hens were separated during their molt and now the hens have dark gray beaks and the cocks have been singing their hearts out.

I set up two breeding cages and selected a pair for each cage. One pair were already together and seem to get along fine. The second pair hate each other. Or at least the hen doesn't like her mate. They are both extremely interested in the nest box and the hen spends a fair amount of time in there. What's a good amount of time for them to be together before I split them up?

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 8:31 pm

typical female never satisfied

normally I would give my birds at least a month to bond. eventually they seem to realise that they either bond or go without for 12 months

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 11:01 pm

Mick, you might be right. She seems more interested in the nest than chasing the cock. Everytime the hen is in the nestbox, he stands guard. When the cock is in the box, she wants to join him, but won't.
I'll give it a few weeks.

canucky2 · Post by **canucky2** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 12:27 am

my hen was screaming at her mate, and I thought she hated him, but now is sitting on a clutch of eggs! Her first. He finally won her over!

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:35 pm

The squabbling pair didn't take long.....
Both pairs have nicely formed nests and seem to tolerate each other.

All the picky hen does is fly from perch to perch, examine the nest and then fly from perch to perch....I imagine because she is really excited...or she is complaining because he didn't build it to her specifications.

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 2:18 pm

It's been 5 days since they've been together and one of the pairs have their first egg. That might be a record!

bonnies_gouldians · Post by **bonnies_gouldians** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:13 pm

Congrats on getting your first egg from your grumpy pair!! Good luck with the breeding season!

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 1:15 am

3 eggs now as of this morning. I need to stop checking, otherwise I might be coined the nickname "Donna"!