Last time breeding gouldians for me!

[cranberry]

Thanks for that information Tony, much appreciated. The Gouldians will be transferred to my bigger aviary which has a paved floor. I just need to add a bit more wind protection and it's ready to go.

My question is...If I add a sheltered section to the back of this aviary i.e. a piece of sheeting that hangs down vertically going from the roof of the aviary to the floor and taking up about 1/3 the width of the aviary, will the Goulds be smart enough to go behind there during bad weather and winter in general? I plan on hanging a heat lamp there so that should keep them nice and cosy in the cold weather.

[Jayburd]

That depends, cranberry

my gouldians are not smart, and would sit outside in even the most ungodly weather, but if it got too wet where they were sitting they'd move. they almost enjoyed the wind.

so I'd trust them, even just to test if you're gouldians are like mine, to get themselves where they need to be if THEY feel it necessary.

alternatively, you could always add a full blown shelter with full length walls and a door, and lock them in the shelter at night.

[Diane]

My gouldians do retire to the bushes and more sheltered areas, although there are a few die hards that insist on perching near the wire (must be the fresh air freaks)
I know of several breeders that have the semi enclosed area and they put the nesting boxes in that area. The birds seem to use it, but I only saw the aviaries during the day.

[BENSONSAN]

Mine are semi enclosed and thats were i put my nest boxes also. Usually only a few young ones hang around the front.

Ben