As if my Gouldians were not giving me enough trouble...

williep · Post by **williep** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:02 am

OK, I know I have been complaining allot lately about my Gouldians that won't breed, but I've completely ignored the fact that my star finches are just as frustrating.

I house the single pair in my large aviary and they seem adamant to build a nest from scratch in the most impossible places, in plants that are floppy and some small branches. I have at least 6 excess nest boxes that they eventually end up trying to establish a nest in and then just give up and start over again in some other impossible place.
At first I thought it was the pushy species shoving them off their nests, but I have since removed all of them. This has been going on for more than a year now. How do I get them to settle down and finish what they stared?????

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 7:47 am

I cannot offer any hints or tips yet as I have not given my newly acquired (in May 2008) Star Finches a nestbox yet. But rather I will be watching this thread to absorb any information available. I have high hopes for my pair of Stars... and also for my Gouldians most of which I acquired late last summer and who did absolutely nothing for me by way of breeding. I will be putting nestboxes in all their breeding cages in August and hope they settle in and start breeding in September/October.

I've read that breeding these two species is a case of feast or fammine. This year has been a fammine breeding year (few babies) for me. Hopefully the upcoming season will prove to be a feast (LOTS) of healthy babies!

Good luck to you too, Williep!

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 10:52 am

I wish that I could offer you some help also, but mine are pretty much doing the same thing. I have a pair in my aviary. The cock is forever dancing around with nesting materials for the hen. They have tried out a few of the nest in my aviary, but never stayed for long. They haven't tried to build their own nest yet. Hope someone will offer some advice. I will also be watching this thread.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 6:19 pm

Last year a pair of my stars built nests galore in a flight with no end result.
Eventually I gave up and needed the flight for other birds...being short of space I put them in a breeding cage in the house next to the TV which is on all hours...result...Immediate nest building in the box and 3 chicks raised no problems?????
Maybe they like the background racket.
Paul.

Stars were in the top cage.....

Post by **Sally** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 7:24 pm

Star finches can be very unreliable breeders. They are usually very happy to make nests, but they may not produce any eggs, or they may not sit, or they may not hatch, or they may abandon. I have three breeding pairs. Results: Pair 1 - 5 and 3 in 2 clutches, Pair 2 - 1 in 2 clutches, Pair 3 - 0, but enough eggs to make an omelet!

My first pair of Stars, the male was a wonderful parent, female not so good. Lost the female, paired him with another, and they both proceeded to abandon eggs and/or chicks. I have another hen who will sit in an empty nest for an eternity, but never produced a single egg.

Stars are one of my favorites, they are pretty, have a wonderful little song, usually not aggressive, they are very inquisitive and easy keepers, but not dependable breeders.

williep · Post by **williep** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 1:59 am

Sally, you're breeding your stars in breeding cages right? It seem like poohbear had success in them as well.

Maybe that is the answer; I should remove them to my breeding room and see what happens. I just feel bad moving them from such a big aviary to a relative small breeding cage, but maybe I should negotiate with them - "Give me one healthy clutch and you can return to the aviary".

Otherwise I must just buy another pair which sounds better cause it gives me an excuse to get more birds.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 6:40 am

williep wrote:.
I just feel bad moving them from such a big aviary to a relative small breeding cage
.

This is my problem when I put a bird in a cage. I always feel guilty and let it back out.

I had to take four silverbill fledgings away from their parents and put them into a cage this week and I feel so bad about it. They didn't appreciate that one bit.

williep · Post by **williep** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:23 am

Well, seems my gouldians are STILL my biggest problem.

My star pair finally settled down and proceeded to accept a Calabash Nest that I hung quite low (about 3' from the ground). I'm not too sure how many babies there are but using my headlamp I could identify at least two and it appears they are very close to fledge date.

Now if only those infernal Goulds could give me some success... but there's always next year I suppose.

gomer · Post by **gomer** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 6:04 am

There is one thing I have learnt about Australian finches.Many seem to breed in cycles. what you breed alot of this year may not breed next year.What didn't breed last year will breed heaps this year.They seem to know when the conditions are right,conditions beyond our control.I don't know alot about cabinet breeding maybe that's a different kettle of fish.!!