Weaned gouldian

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 10:50 pm

So I had two tossed chicks that I placed under societies.
They were great parents to them.
They are weaned completely, so I put when in a large flight by themselves.

Of the two, one of them was late in coming out of the nest box. The other one, was more curious and never wanted back in to spend the night.
The ironic thing, is that the one who was more curious doesn't fly much. It sleeps on the bottom of the cage, but was the first to eat, find the water, etc. It's more tame than the other one, who is more afraid, but flies around the cage.

They were born on April 25th. I'm curious if it will ever catch up with the other chick in terms of flying. Since they've hatched, they've developed the same in terms of size, but will the second chick ever get the hang of flying. It's doesn't even want to try much.

Post by **Sally** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 10:54 pm

It will probably catch up with the other one as far as flying. I've read that sometimes fostered birds are a little slower--don't know if it is true or not. Could you place the food in a treat cup next to a perch, or does it already fly up to eat? You couldn't leave it that way for long, but you could try it for several hours at a time, and see if that would encourage it to go up to a perch to eat.

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 10:58 pm

Thanks Sally, that was quick!
I have food and water bowls on the bottom of the cage as well as in cups.
I put the chick on a perch that's higher up when I think about it when it's bedtime. I'll come home and find both chicks on the higer perch so I know if it tries, it can at least get up there.

Post by **Sally** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 11:03 pm

One thing I have noticed with my Gouldians, they are not as agile as some of the other species. They simply don't fly as well. I don't know whether this is because they are always in cages, so don't develop their wing muscles, or whether it is because they are bigger and stouter than the other birds.

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 11:11 pm

I've not heard that one before. I've heard of Owls as not great fliers, but not Gouldians. All my adults seem fairly agile, but I hope you're right about this chick. Thanks again Sally.

chrischris · Post by **chrischris** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 11:13 pm

I had a nest of 4 gouldians come out of the nest box and even though they could fly they would huddle together on the bottom of the floor. 2 of them were so small that it took them an extra 2 weeks before they joined the others on flying and eating on their own.

Chris

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 12:00 am

Thanks Chris.

The other thing I thought about is when the male tossed them, he could have picked them up by their wing and damaged it.
Both of the wings sit the same for the most part, but I've noticed that one doesn't always lay the same way as the other.