Moving gouldians, tips?

H2015 · Post by **H2015** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 10:22 am

I'm leaving tomorrow for 4 days and I'm taking my 4 goulds with me, it'll be a 2 hour car ride which I'm afraid might stress them and I have some questions...

Should I cover the cage in the car? Cause the air conditioner will be on and I'm afraid of the drafts.

Also should I provide them with electrolytes to help the stress or would that be unnecessary?

I might treat them with SCATT and I also want to use Cocci-Care as I received it yesterday, I'm not sure though if I shouldn't until I'm back home?

Anyway, any feedback would be appreciated

Post by **Hilary** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 3:26 pm

Hope this isn't too late! I wouldn't treat them until you get back - limit the stress. I'd cover the cage to limit drafts from the AC and keep them relatively quiet. Electrolytes couldn't hurt but probably aren't necessary unless you see one having more trouble with the journey. Make sure they have water (I only partially fill it and stuff the cup with paper towel - they can get water but there's no sloshing) and seed/millet.

H2015 · Post by **H2015** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 12:42 am

Thanks Hilary but unfortunately I read this a bit too late, yesterday I used SCATT cause one of my goulds started clicking a lot and I thought I probably shouldn't postpone this any longer.

I was supposed to leave last night but I postponed and instead I'm leaving in a few hours which gave the birds time to rest and get used to their new flight cage.

I'll be taking Amoxitex with me in case any of them start showing symptoms, it's been over 12 hours since I applied SCATT and so far everything is alright.

Anyhow, hopefully all goes well so thanks again and happy new year!

Post by **Hilary** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 1:49 am

Happy New Year! I'm sure they'll be fine. I'd say you did the right thing to apply the Scatt if you heard clicking - better not to wait. Have a safe trip!

H2015 · Post by **H2015** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 12:52 pm

Back and everything went so well, thanks a lot!

They got a bit stressed the next day so I treated with Amoxitex (2 days) and then followed by probiotics, they're doing great now and no clicking so far or any signs of infections

I also came back with a pair of shaft-tails! Will post pics later

Post by **Hilary** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 1:01 pm

It's so dangerous to drive around with a cage in your car! You always come home with more birds than you left with.

(I always have an empty cage rolling around in my trunk just in case.....)

H2015 · Post by **H2015** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 1:06 pm

haha that is SO true!

I also wanted to buy a pair of black cheeked zebras, they were really large in size, almost as big as the shaft-tails! I never seen zebras that big!!

Post by **Hilary** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 1:10 pm

I just saw my first black cheeked zebs the other day at a Petco, and was SO tempted. I don't need any more zebras, don't WANT any more zebras, deliberately only have rescued hens so I don't have to worry about breeding, but these little suckers were SO handsome! Congrats on the shafties, by the way - they're also striking, funny little characters.

Post by **Sally** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 2:29 pm

SO glad your Goulds are doing better! And Hilary is right, it is so tempting to get something new when you see them. I got a male Shaft-tail a while back, and I just love his looks, but especially his call and song, so unique! I will probably contact a breeder who comes to the bird mart here, and see if she can bring me a hen in the spring.

H2015 · Post by **H2015** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 4:10 pm

Thanks Sally! The BH male gould is still a bit weak and needs to gain weight but thankfully the disease symptoms disappeared and the other 3 goulds are doing absolutely perfect (one is molting though). I'm so grateful for all the help I got at the Health forum, the suggestions were beyond helpful!

Now the shaft-tails, I seriously didn't expect them to be that much fun! They're very active and it's so cute when they allopreen! None of the birds I have ever did that so it was really beautiful to see and I also love how fierce they look LOL