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Gouldian interested in mating

Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 7:37 pm
by finchandlovebird
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This couple is in a 30 wide flight w/2 other Goulds. This male is courting this female several times a day; they spend some time cuddling in the privacy box; they don't seem to care for the other 2 Goulds being around; lots of flying at them.
Should I put this interested pair in a 23 x 16 breeder cage with a nest?
Should I leave them in the flight with a nest & take the other two out & put them in the 23x16 cage?
Is it too late in the season to breed?
This male is a known tosser & the female is young.
They seem quite bonded to each other.
Advice please :roll:

Re: Gouldian interested in mating

Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 7:46 pm
by debbie276
I would leave them in the 30 inch cage and move the others to the 23 inch. Hopefully you have a successful clutch so you'll need the extra room for the chicks. If he's known as a tosser I wouldn't crowd or irritate him at all if I could help it.
Good luck

Re: Gouldian interested in mating

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 9:41 am
by finchandlovebird
I left the pair in the 30 wide cage & gave them a nest last night. Took the other two Goulds out. The pair is soooooo HAPPY now. The male was in the nest this morning & female peeking in at him. I am anxious to see how these two will do as parents.

Re: Gouldian interested in mating

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 9:47 am
by debbie276
good luck!

Re: Gouldian interested in mating

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 10:14 am
by kenny66
the thing with tossers is that they can be set off by any distraction. So seperating them is the wise thing to do. I would let him hear the other cock though. I have found most gouldian males will concentrate on the job at hand (mating and raising young) if they think another male is out there.

Re: Gouldian interested in mating

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 11:15 am
by finchandlovebird
Beside the woven nest in there, I also gave them a wooden nest box this morning which they seem VERY interested in! They have been both sitting together on the perch to the box & peeking & peeking. I am so excited. I'm going to talk to the gal I got them from & see what kind of setup she used for breeding; maybe something in that arrangement was conducive to tossing. They seem so calm & happy. I, however, am terribly excited!!!!!! [-o<

Re: Gouldian interested in mating

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 6:22 pm
by ac12
You just never know what triggers the tossing.
I have a male that tossed EVERY ONE of his chicks last season.
This season, clutch #2 none tossed and all parent raised. A complete turn about for him.

I think all you can do is address the known issues (food, privacy, etc), and then hope for the best, and be prepared for the worse (tossing or abandonment of the nest). I have societies as my "safety net." And the societies earned their keep many times over, saving abandoned egg and tossed hatchlings.

gud luk