Are Gouldians the easiest to breed
Posted: 19 May 2020, 18:52
How aviculture has changed since the 1970's
This has come to mind after a surprise this morning.
This morning while checking some indoor holding aviaries I was greeted with 5 young Gouldians
all sitting in a row.Nothing outstanding by today's standards except I didn't know the Gouldians
were sitting especially when the only nest site available was a small nest box use earlier for a pair of Zebra Finches.
The top had been removed, little if any nesting material was available and their diet is a simple dry seed
mix and water as I do not want them to get fat.
That made me think back to the 70's, Gouldians were inexpensive around $48 a dozen yes for 12.
Virtually all wild caught and so soft to southern conditions. I remember my father in law having
Aktavite tins with light globes in them and placed under the nest box to keep the chicks warm.
Fledging young was a task and even then the major hurdle had to be faced when the young started to moult into adult plumage.
Losses could be in excess 40% which was sad and so frustrating.
Today they are totally domesticated and in my opinion they are well past the Zebra Finch as our easiest breeder.
This has come to mind after a surprise this morning.
This morning while checking some indoor holding aviaries I was greeted with 5 young Gouldians
all sitting in a row.Nothing outstanding by today's standards except I didn't know the Gouldians
were sitting especially when the only nest site available was a small nest box use earlier for a pair of Zebra Finches.
The top had been removed, little if any nesting material was available and their diet is a simple dry seed
mix and water as I do not want them to get fat.
That made me think back to the 70's, Gouldians were inexpensive around $48 a dozen yes for 12.
Virtually all wild caught and so soft to southern conditions. I remember my father in law having
Aktavite tins with light globes in them and placed under the nest box to keep the chicks warm.
Fledging young was a task and even then the major hurdle had to be faced when the young started to moult into adult plumage.
Losses could be in excess 40% which was sad and so frustrating.
Today they are totally domesticated and in my opinion they are well past the Zebra Finch as our easiest breeder.