Good news and bad news and a question

[spoton]

First the good news: Today my very first gouldian babies ventured from the nest. All 5 came out over a period of an hour or 2 this morning and stayed out all day before returning to the nest this afternoon. Interesting to note that each of the babies happily perched on my hands when I held them out. Will post some pics asap.

Now the bad news: I noticed this morning that my female RH was not with her mate as per usual in the morning and assumed she was in the nest with her babies. But not to be. I could not locate her in the avairy anywhere and could find no evidence (eg feathers or a body) that she had either died overnight or had been attacked by something. Have had a couple of cats hanging around (have gotten a cage trap from my Council to legally deal with them) at night but can not say for sure if that is what happened to her.

Was a bit worried but have seen the male working overtime with the fledglings this afternoon. Interesting to note a female BH was acting protectively towards the fledglings whenever other birds went near them.


And the question:

How long should I wait till I introduce a new female RH to the now mateless RH Male??

Thanks in advance


Darryl

[Simba]

Sorry to hear about the missing RH hen, I would wait until at least the RH babies are fully independant and feeding themselves, putting a new hen in now could upset the balance in the avairy and cause the RH cock bird to abandon the chicks that he is still feeding.

[GregH]

I agree that you shouldn't put in a new mate until the youngsters are weened but that doesn't mean you can't go buy one as month in quarantine/isolation is good practice to ensure you aren't introducing any pests or diseases into your aviary.

[kimberley breeder]

What other birds are housed with your gouldians?

[spoton]

kimberley breeder asked:

What other birds are housed with your gouldians?

In the aviary I have a pair of BH Gouldians (not nesting as yet but the male is hopeful lol), a pair of white zebra's with 3 fledglings, a pair of diamond doves, a pair of cockatiels and a pair of Jap quails with a family of 7 babies (about 4 weeks old).

All of the birds get on well with no squabbles apart from when the RH Gouldians would steal nesting materials from the zebs.

Thanks

Darryl

[BENSONSAN]

whoa are the cockatiels ok with the goulds???

[POLAR GOULDIANS]

Hi Spoton, I have a bit of experience with birds disappearing like that, and it allways involves a snake. Usually a brown tree snake or childrens python. Given your location I think you better go over the aviary very carefully or you may find more birds missing, the sooner the better .Good luck