First Gouldian Babies!

[Nipper06]

Here is a photo of my first Gouldian babies!



They've been trying for almost 2 years now with no luck - mostly infertile eggs. But this time, 2 eggs were fertile! They hatched them and are taking good care of them. In addition to regular food, I am supplying the parents with home-made eggfood (hard-boiled egg + Miracle Meal) and sprouted "Black" and "White" seed.

I have no idea about the history of my Gouldians - I don't know if they were parent-raised or raised by foster parents. But in the end, they figured it all out. Patience pays sometimes!

Both parents are normal Red-headed Gouldians. Since red is dominant, will all their babies be normal red heads? - or isn't it that simple??



ANYWAY - hooray!!! Finally some baby Gouldians! I close-banded them about a week ago - it will be interesting to see if the bands are still on!

[lovemyfinch]

Congrats on the babies. Assuming that neither parents are split, all babies should be RH PB GB like their parents.

[L in Ontario]

Congratulations Ron! You must be soooooooo very excited - as you should be! Yes the waiting is so well worth it! Congrats again!

[Sally]

Congrats Ron! Yes, it takes a lot of patience sometimes when we breed these birds. The key is to not give up, and they usually figure it out in the end. Oh, and I think I'll move this topic to Breeding.

[CandoAviary]

Congrats! My first clutch will always be remembered. The most amazing thing to watch these little wigglers turn into army green chicks then into magnificant beauties. I still find it amazing every time. Enjoy and good things do come to those who wait

[Nipper06]

Thanks everyone - for the encouraging words!

All I can say is these 2 babies sure EAT alot !! I've been coming home for lunch every day to top off their eggfood as they seem to scarf everything down so fast. I can't imagine how much a larger clutch would eat!

[akidsgal]

Just like you I got my first real clutch this year. However I have 5 paired Goulds and now have 3 full sets of babies. I did a nest check tonight when I got home from Indiana setting up for my move. I have 2 large dogs that needed fencing for the new home so voila I am the traveller.

You will have more and more.... now just to keep it down to just a few select pairs... that is the hard part!

[Nipper06]

I only have the one Gouldian pair so I can't go too crazy with finch breeding, just yet! But I will probably let them breed again now, if they want to.

I'd like to see my Green Singers nest next. I have an older close-banded captive-bred pair that are good parents but have been producing "dud" eggs lately. I have their one offspring paired with an unbanded female from Petsmart - who is quite nervous - unfortunately, possibly wild-caught. But I guess it would be good for the captive Green Singer population if it could get some of her genes - if she will breed. If they will at least mate and lay fertile eggs, I'm sure the older grandparent pair would raise the babies.