My New Gouldians

[lovezebs]

Animalzoo

Oh Sue , they are lovely! Congratulations!

I figured you had something like that up your sleeve, you sneaky girl , lol.

My Gouldian's favorite nest box looks like this....

[debbie276]

Very pretty YH.WB.SF Pastel
Personally I would use a parakeet size nest box with a hole. The large deep size prevents accidental tossing and the gouldians are most comfortable in a dark box. Having a hole helps the goulds defends their nests from other birds. If they are housed with society this is a must as the society will take over and push off the goulds.

[Babs _Owner]

OMG! $100-125 !! Thats crazy money.
The most I've seen in a pet shop was 50€ each. Whats that about $56 ish?
Privately I've come across 25-30€ for normals.

A local pet shop I go in all the time does have 2 for sale but I don't like their colours although he's willing to sell them to me for 30€each, normally 40€ each. So for a mainstream commerical petshop thats good.

No one has any privately for sale atm, it's annoying. We were quoted 40€ for a blue or yellow privately but not for a few months off yet. All pet stores seem to stock normals.

Today this shop selling them at 25€ was a good deal but not for poor unhealthy stock imo. I still can't get over $100!! Ouch.

If I had to sell my colored-up gouldian for $50 a piece I wouldn't even make back the $$ it costs cover to JUST their seed for 3-6 months. How low do you want people to sacrifice for all the work and expense involved? $30 for a normal? That is really lowballing. IMHO

My millet alone cost me a fortune for my juvies.

[Babs _Owner]

Edited because it loaded twice.

Sorry about that, but I truly think if you want a gouldian for under $50, you are almost asking the breeder to "gift" them to you for a tip. They are not zebras and societies that breed relentlessly.

[Animalzoo]

Babs
I wonder why there is such a difference across continents? I wasn't quibbling the cost, just comparing. 50€ v $100. Even with exchange rate that seems a lot more in America/Canada.

I'm humbled knowing I found some very very cheap. I've since spent a small fortune on treatments and medicines however money is nothing when compared to the pleasure of the hobby and our love for them. We all know selling babies barely covers costs to keep them but we don't do it to make money, well I won't be anyway

[Animalzoo]

Very pretty YH.WB.SF Pastel
Personally I would use a parakeet size nest box with a hole. The large deep size prevents accidental tossing and the gouldians are most comfortable in a dark box. Having a hole helps the goulds defends their nests from other birds. If they are housed with society this is a must as the society will take over and push off the goulds.

YH.WB.SF Pastel = Yellow Head. White Breast. Single Factor Pastal. Is that right? But he has an orange head? I'm still getting my head around the colours so forgive for the silly questions.

You know parakeet boxes come in either horizontal or vertical, do you refer to the vertical? But won't they be put off by the large size and deep drop from the hole?

I wanted plastic but really struggle to find any locally. Wood v. Plastic? What do you think?

They are housed alone in a separate cage per couple with no other birds so hopefully won't feel vulnerable....then again you never know whats going in their minds

[debbie276]

They are genetically Yellow head though people like say orange, what they see visually.
I like vertical boxes, they naturally nest in dark holes in trees. I only use wood boxes that my husband makes for me. Personally I don't like the slipperiness of plastic. The birds don't always build good nests so I would be worried the chicks would slip around and end up with splayed legs. The hole entrance also creates a darker box then half open.
With that said, it's not impossible to think they would nest in other boxes. It's all a personal preference for you and the birds.

good luck

[Animalzoo]

MEDS HAVE ARRIVED!!

[Babs _Owner]

Animalzoo

Yay! Now you will be able to get "ole baldie" feathered up and on track. Make sure to post the progress. Will be very interesting to see how lovely he turns out!

[lovezebs]

Animalzoo

Good luck with the meds, Sue. I hope they help with whatever ails your little guys.

Regarding the nesting boxes. I have to say, that I don't really like plastic either. I prefer wood, or actually thick cardboard boxes (which I recycle from other products, tape shut, cut out an appropriate opening, and discard after use).

Regarding prices of birds.
In different parts of the world, we do see different prices. What's considered expensive in one country, might be considered inexpensive in another country, so we can't really compare it that way. It's not just an exchange issue, it's also a cost of living comparison, which becomes somewhat more involved and more difficult to calculate.

Looking forward to more pictures, and an update as to how the kids are doing.

[Animalzoo]

Do you think I have enough

Consider them de-wormed and 'Scatt'ed. Water is bright orange for a few days anyway and then I'll crack on with coccidiosis and the lice mite/spray. I'm providing the them one at a time. Don't want to overload them with too many chemicals at any one time

[lovezebs]

Animalzoo

Holy Crow, look at all that stuff. That must have cost you a pretty penny. Did this order come from the States, or from the UK ?

Now you're set and ready for practically anything.

[Animalzoo]

lovezebs

Australia! Yes, a small fortune but I needed it in general didnt I. I've got so many birds so its a good investment hehe.

[debbie276]

Perfect!
Best of luck

[slwatson]

debbie276

Thanks for that clarification Debbie...I had no idea!