What is everyones top 5 tips for keeping Gouldians?

For concerns related to avian illness and wellbeing.
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Aussiefinchfanatic
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Post by Aussiefinchfanatic » Fri Jul 04, 2008 11:05 pm

I do not want to keep them indoors I would prefer outdoor bred birds that can are capable to withstand the elements.

Thanks for the advice atarasi

Matt
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Post by Matt » Sun Jul 06, 2008 8:54 am

If you are wanting to house them in an outdoor aviary, make sure the stock you buy are bred in the same environment as you wish to keeo them in. Many birds sold in Sydney are from heated avairies or are cage bred in temperature controlled bird rooms. If you put these birds out in the winter elements, they wont last long. Also bear in mind that Goulds don't have down feathers to retain warmth like other species, so they are never going to cope with prolonged cold and or draughty conditions. Make sure your aviary isn't exposed to any cold draughts and catches plenty of the early morning sun.

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Aussiefinchfanatic
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Post by Aussiefinchfanatic » Sat Jul 12, 2008 5:55 pm

Thanks for the tips Matt. Do you know of any breeders in Sydney that breed outdoor bred Gouldians?

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mickp
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Post by mickp » Tue Jul 15, 2008 6:48 am

uh oh we're in trouble now Paul worked out how to use the font colour's.

gotta love gouldians, went into the aviary today after two weeks away at work, had fresh millet sprays to put in. one pair of the gouldians was sitting on my hands as I put the spray's in. they dont do it for anything else just millet sprays green or dry

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Post by Matt » Tue Jul 15, 2008 7:33 am

Sorry, I don't know of any breeders here, but I haven't been back into the finch scene long to get to know many breeders.
Mine are indoors in my shed (not heated) where the temperature drops down to about 8° celcius and I would consider this to be about the minimum I would subject them to.
That being said, it is possible to have an outdoor aviary with double linings, insulated roof and gap filler to patch every little hole where draughts come in, and still maintain a reasonable temperature even on cold frosty mornings.
Also, the wild types are supposedly slightly stronger and hardier than some mutations, so I would probably start with normal colours first.

Matt.

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poohbear
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Post by poohbear » Tue Jul 15, 2008 7:49 am

[quote="mickp"]uh oh we're in trouble now Paul worked out how to use the font colour's.
WHAT YOU ON ABOUT?
Image

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Post by FINCHIE » Wed Jul 16, 2008 5:52 am

I have my Gouldians in outdoor aviaries in Sydney. I got my Gouldians from a breeder in Cessnock (1 1/2 out of Sydney off the F3) through "Birds R Us" all their birds are bred in outdoor aviaries and its alot colder there than in Sydney, so they are well acclimatised. I got a black face cock for $30 the other day and he's doing well. Speak to John if you decide to head out there. Good luck.

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Aussiefinchfanatic
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Post by Aussiefinchfanatic » Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:59 pm

FINCHIE wrote:I have my Gouldians in outdoor aviaries in Sydney. I got my Gouldians from a breeder in Cessnock (1 1/2 out of Sydney off the F3) through "Birds R Us" all their birds are bred in outdoor aviaries and its alot colder there than in Sydney, so they are well acclimatised. I got a black face cock for $30 the other day and he's doing well. Speak to John if you decide to head out there. Good luck.
Thanks FINCHIE, I plan to buy them in late January next year when I come back from overseas. I plan to contact birds r us and see if I can buy a few from them if I cant find anyone closeby.

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