Gouldians babies

[KarenB]

Aww, congrats on the fledges! I think my little guys may come out tomorrow or Sunday. When I got home earlier, one of them was perched on the edge of the nest but I don't think he ever made it beyond that point. Next time I saw them they were all huddled in the nest but looking out at the world. Looking at the pic above, I just want to cuddle and pet them. They look so perfect and soft.

[KarenB]

Ok....here we go. They look just like the others, but newer

[lovezebs]

KarenB

They are absolutely darling , Karen. Congratulations on new fledglings.

~Elana~

[KarenB]

Thought I would update on how the first clutch is coloring up. One has yet to show any new head or chest colors, only back feathers, so I still don't know what he will be.

I think this will be a female black head


Red head male left, yellow head male right


Red head males


Dad

[finchandlovebird]

They seem to be doing EXCEPTIONALLY well

[Atbird]

Oh my goodness! Scrolling through this thread makes me reeeaaallly want gouldians. They've always been my favorite, but i love how there's the added surprise of what colors they molt into....and i thought my bronze canaries were exciting

Your birds look beautiful. I love how the fledglings look so silky.

[Sunbay]

<<The only thing I've been doing is lacing the millet sprays with feather fast. First I spray them with a fine mist of olive oil, then put them in a zip lock bag with the feather fast and shake until well coated.>>

EXCELLENT tip, KarenB! I am going to try that tomorrow with the powdered kelp. One never can tell if all the expensive stuff we buy for these feathered friends, actually gets INTO them!

[MiaCarter]

Ooh, lovely!

Isn't it fun watching them color up? It's like a genetics grab bag! You don't quite know what you've got in-hand!

I'm jealous of your purple chests!
I was hoping for at least 1 of 4 white chest and I got 4/4 white chest, so careful what you wish for, right? LOL

That's clever on the millet spray trick.
I usually just put the feather fast on the egg food and they gobble it up!

[lnlovesorange]

Well, my first question was answered (wondering if the big bulges were their crops) and my next is CONGRATS!!! I hope they are all doing well. Looking to get some Gouldian's myself, going to a bird show in April, so hopefull I'll be coming home with some and posting the pics of them here!!! I really do wish that some of you were closer to me, as I WOULD know that the birds I'm getting were coming from AMAZING homes, and fantastic blood lines... you just can never be too sure.... But again, congrats and good luck with the babes, can't wait to see them colored out!

[lnlovesorange]

KarenB Quick question (sorry I forgot) are they...cranky, or act any different when they are getting their feathers? Also, are they a lot different temperment wise when they molt?

[KarenB]

lnlovesorange ;), I haven't noticed anything different about their behavior except on cooler days they spend a little more time under the heat lamp. No crankiness.

[KarenB]

It's really hard to see, but I'm pretty sure there are six little bodies in this box. Two of them are very small on the left, and one of the bigger ones is under the others. Looks like we will have at least 4 that make it. I think Lady and Gent are doing a great job so far. Fingers crossed.

[lnlovesorange]

KarenB When were they born? This week? I think i might be confused (don't feel bad, easily confused here ) is this a 3rd clutch for you? So you have the clutch feathering out, and these babies and one other set? You must be crazy! Elated, but nuts over there!!! lol also, in the first two photos way up at the top, the babies have little dots next to their mouths are these the markings that make the parents feed when they are really small? (like the gaping maw colorations?) Of course i can't remember what they are called, but each bird those mouth colorations are different. I'm still a newbie, so there's still a lot i don't know, sorry If I'm asking kinda stupid questions. I think I am gettting a pair of Gouldian's in the spring, so I want to know as much as possible!! BTW, they are beautiful (even the new ones, I always say that baby birds have that, they are "so ugly they're cute" thing going for them!!!) Anyhow, good luck with all the new babies!!

[lnlovesorange]

KarenB UGH! I really am a pain! So, sorry, just one more thing. I see that you have a bamboo finch nest (can see the bottom of it in the photos) is this the nest they laid the eggs in? And if it is, how do you see in it to get the photo, or to look in to see the eggs/babies? I'm asking b/c mine (Zebra's) are currently incubating/eggs starting to hatch, and I can't see in at all, (my male is a lunatic) and built up the front so that I couldn't see in. I know Zebe's & Gould's are different,...just wondering if you have any tips on peeking in on them with the least amount of disturbance...(coming to the realization that I don't think there is a way....) But any info/tips....thanks. And sorry, if I'm being obnoxious

[KarenB]

lnlovesorange

This is the third clutch for this pair. I have five that are coloring out from the first clutch, five from the second clutch that are just about weaned, and then these newest little ones. The first two clutches were raised by society fosters, and this last one is parent raised. That is why I am so happy about these.

The fosters that I used for the first two clutches currently are sitting on a clutch of their own, and it will be the first clutch of their own babies that they raise. I know, it's crazy. I had foster city over here a few months back.

These current babies are being raised in a nest box. The two previous clutches were raised in a wicker basket. I stick my camera phone up to the entrance and use flash. As for the nest box, the back door opens so I can see in with the phone. I have to move some of the nesting aside and then put it back before closing the door. I have only done that when both Gouldian parents were already out of the box.