Should I get a second Gouldian?

societyspice · Post by **societyspice** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 8:07 pm

I have 1 Spice Finch (male), 1 Society Finch (female), and 1 young Gouldian (not in adult plumage, but I was told he was a male?)

The Gouldian is the new guy. He's lived with the other two for about a month and a half now. For the most part everyone gets along and lately, they all have been sleeping (squished together-like) on the same perch at night. However, both the society and the spice finch will sometimes chase the Gouldian away during the day if he tries to be near them. Sometimes, they will even fly at him when he's on a different perch. Again, this doesn't happen all the time--they will all eat together and sometimes perch together and sometimes, it seems that the Gouldian likes to perch alone. The spice finch tends to do more of the chasing than the society.

Nevertheless, I was wondering if I should get a second Gouldian so that the one I currently have also has a buddy to hang out with that won't try to chase him off?

I'm guessing the spice finch is being terretorial because the society is a female, but I don't have a nest in the cage. Will males still act terretorial even if it is not a female of the same species and there isn't a nest present?

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 8:34 pm

I usually try to keep at least 6 birds in my flight if there are mixed species... right now in my flight (which is pretty big) I have 2 societies, 2 goulds, 2 rosy red rumped (which I thought were red ears), and 2 zebras. They are all getting along well. In all small cages I have, I only keep one pair of the same species.

So my advice would be to get a big enough cage, get another gouldian, and get 2 more birds along with it (no nests).

Post by **Hilary** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 9:32 pm

I say get him a buddy. They're not cuddly birds, but he'd appreciate company that's the same species.

Gunnar · Post by **Gunnar** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:32 am

Can you really ever have too many Gouldians?

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 5:32 am

Hey Gunnar.. you finally decided to join!

tursiopschic · Post by **tursiopschic** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:08 pm

What size flight do you have Emily?

zookeeper · Post by **zookeeper** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:55 pm

Ditto what Gunnar said.

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 9:52 pm

64 x 64 x i think 24ish

ILoveMyOwlFinches! · Post by **ILoveMyOwlFinches!** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 1:26 pm

Hi SocietySpice,Yes You Should Get Another So The Gouldains Can Mate

Post by **Hilary** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:59 pm

Is 46 too many gouldians? Plus the three I'm getting tomorrow? Actually, about 20 of them are juvies that will be finding new homes, so I guess I'm not totally out of control, right?

Crystal · Post by **Crystal** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 10:12 pm

Good lord I wish my pairs were that prolific! Actually, I have a comfortable number of birds right now...but still, must be nice!

Post by **Hilary** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 10:31 pm

It's wonderful! Of course, I only have a tiny corner of my house to live in now!

Gunnar · Post by **Gunnar** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:03 am

Hilary,
Do you have society frills ?
Gunnar

Post by **Hilary** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:37 pm

I have breeding stock with frills (all Japanese) - one chiyoda (chest frill) and a couple of bontens (head frill). Only frilled chicks so far are from an "accidental" breeding with a cock whose dad had bad feet, so I wouldn't want any of those chicks to breed. One kid just fledged that MAY be chiyoda - he's all feathered out except the chest area (just trying to drive me crazy, I think).