Bully Gouldian?!

[Sandra]

LOL @ mama's boy!

What I heard about breeding Gouldians, is that they give up on their babies or throw them out of the nest.

[debbie276]

After reading these posts for so many years I don't think there is a species out there that never tosses their chicks. If the conditions aren't right any bird could potentially abandon their chicks. I'm actually surprised how many times I hear about zebras and society's tossing, yet they don't have a bad rep.

[L in Ontario]

What I heard about breeding Gouldians, is that they give up on their babies or throw them out of the nest.

After reading these posts for so many years I don't think there is a species out there that never tosses their chicks. If the conditions aren't right any bird could potentially abandon their chicks. I'm actually surprised how many times I hear about zebras and society's tossing, yet they don't have a bad rep.

Both statements are true but if Gouldians are not given a chance (repeatedly) they won't learn to raise their own.

What I do is IF they toss any chicks - I put the chick(s) back in the nest and if they toss again - put it back again. I will put the chick back 3 times and if they still toss - then I will switch it over to a pair of Societies which I have had ready. Then let the Gouldians try again on their next clutch. They WILL get it right - IF they are given the chance. It may take two or three clutches. If they don't get it right the first season (although about 95% do get it right), then separate them (after 3 clutches) and let them rest until the next breeding season. Typically if the parents don't get it right with the first clutch, they will with the second or third. Most manage fine the very first time round.

[debbie276]

Absolutely agree with you Liz!

[Jasmin]

What I heard about breeding Gouldians, is that they give up on their babies or throw them out of the nest.

Sandra, you and I were probably reading the same internet sites, because when I decided to breed my Gouldians, my expectations for success were very very low!

BUT they turned out to be EXTREMELY good parents and taught me more than a few things about nature and bird behaviours.

Like Liz said, some may need a few tries to get it right, but instincts are powerful and the babies do give the parents signals as to what they need.
During breeding time, I just made sure they had lots of fresh egg food and LOTS of privacy. And of course a nest and nesting material. The rest they did

When I got my Gouldians I wasn't planning to breed them either, but I am glad I did, because I learned a lot from the experience.

So you never know where you'll end up...

[Sandra]

Well explained everyone! SO true, like anything else, there is a learning process. Who knows .... this is encouraging me to think more about breeding. I might do just to experience because I'm too emotional and I know if I get babies, I WONT, to give them away lol.

[nixity]

Sandra, you and I were probably reading the same internet sites, because when I decided to breed my Gouldians, my expectations for success were very very low!

Probably the same sites that also say they're notoriously infected with Air Sac Mites and that you must treat proactively year round to prevent them, and that they also need to be provided with additional iodine in their water or they'll go bald.

All a bunch of anecdotal hogwash.

As far as people who consider them difficult to breed I think it boils down to individuals who have patience and a desire to understand their needs vs individuals who don't have this patience or interest in learning about the species and their requirements for breeding.
Individuals with patience are generally successful, individuals who wish to rush to get babies generally fail miserably and this is where I believe they tend to get a "bad rep/rap."

The opening the mouth gesture at this point is not an act of begging for food - this is a defensive posture. I have seen my hens do this towards me when I do nest checks, as well as the male.
It is quite possible that he feels intimidated or threatened by her. Had they previously been housed together?
If not - were they introduced to the new cage simultaneously?
Sometimes this works and sometimes this doesn't.

Sometimes I feel like when you introduce them both at the same time it's an advantage because they're both in unfamiliar territory and too distracted with their new surroundings to be bothered by one another. Also, if they're perfectly primed for breeding introducing them together at once generally results in immediate courtship.

In other instances, when neither bird is in breeding condition, the race to establish a pecking order can become a problem. So if I'm introducing a new pair in order to bring them into condition together, I go back and forth.

Sometimes I introduce them separately and when I do, I always add the female to the cage FIRST that way the "male" is the intruder and not the female. I'm more concerned about male to female aggression than the other way around; and if the male is the first bird introduced to the cage he will quickly establish a degree of dominance over the territory and become aggressive to other birds added. Not always, but sometimes.

[Sandra]

Thanks Tiffany!

I also thought (at first) he was intimidated. However I never seen the the female peck at him. He will jump on the branch next to her too.

My 2 Gouldians were in a huge aviary, along with many other Gouldians, at the breeders. I brought them home at the same time and put the in the cage together at the same time.

If this behavior continues, should I change one of the 2? I'd really hate to do that.

[Sandra]

UPDATE: August 20th, 2012

Ok .... so I have noticed that the male acts that way only when near water/cuttlebone area .... Looks that he took ownership of that area.

Whenever the female tries to get water or use the cuttlebone, he male puts himself in front of her and does that weird noise. And when he sees the female there, he will get her out of there ....

What to do? I was thinking getting another water container and another cuttlebone, would that solve the problem?

[cindy]

I would add an extra water bottle and cuttlebone on the other side for her to go to, does he do this with food as well?

[debbie276]

I would set up another water and cuttlebone area.
good luck

[Sandra]

Sorry for reply delay. The notification went to spam box.

The male seem to do that near water/cuttlebone area only. If she's already in that area, the male will try to pull her tail. Doesnt seem to bother her enough to leave that area tho ....

I havent seen him do that aroud food or treat dish.

[DanteD716]

I hope he stops, maybe they need to be seperated??

As for what was said at the top of this page, I think it is kind of messed up.. They do toss but when a zebra tosses people give them more chances, same for a society, etc etc, but when a gouldian does it, people already think oh they are notorius for this they will always do it, so they never actually get numerous tries to raise young, it bothers me.