Bare Bones

Michael · Post by **Michael** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 3:22 pm

I gave my new Gouldian pair a nesting box and lined it with a variety of nesting materials. Kleenex, coco fibre, etc. Once they finally got interested the male spent the next few days removing all the material bit by bit till theres only a tiny bit left in the recessed bottom of the nesting box. Guess he wanted more space.

I use to raise shaft tails who would take everything you gave them into the nest. In fact, hed take it right out of my hand. These guys are the oppositte. Everything out, nothing in. Cant imagine how it will be for them to raise a clutch with so little nesting material. Of course, since she still wont have anything to do with him, this doesnt look to be a problem. Thinking of bringing another female home for him. Despite his dancing and singing, she still wont even give the poor bugger the time of day.

Hoji · Post by **Hoji** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 3:27 pm

Maybe he just wants to put it in his own way. Can he still get to some nesting material to build himself?

Michael · Post by **Michael** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 5:27 am

He still has all the material he removed sitting at the bottom of the cage but hasnt taken any back in. Ive been told that Gouldians arent very good nest builders

Post by **Hilary** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 10:15 pm

Mine are certainly lazy - I build their nests for them using coconut fiber with some jute on the bottom. They may or may not stir themselves to throw the jute out - that's about all of the "building" my boys can be bothered to do!

Hoji · Post by **Hoji** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 8:05 am

I'm trying to remember, aren't these the one of kinds that people often bring in society finches as foster parents? Maybe they just like that?

Post by **Sally** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 11:16 am

A lot of people do use Societies to foster Gouldians, but it is so much better to let the Goulds at least try to do it on their own. I take coastal bermuda hay, or any soft dry grass, stuff a bunch in the nest box, then use my fist, twisting it to mash the grass down and form a sort of bowl. Some of my birds will accept this as a premade nest, others will promptly tear it all out. Give them some time, too, Gouldians sometimes take a while to decide to mate and raise a family.

I'm going to try the nest boxes that have a porch on them when I start my Gouldians breeding again--I've read that the Gouldians really like that style, gives them a lot of privacy. I suppose it means I will have a lot of guessing as to when and if they lay eggs, but if it works, is worth it.

Michael · Post by **Michael** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 7:19 am

Well the male has started bringing a bit of coco fibre back into the nest. Guess he didnt like the other materials.