gouldian breeding diet

[bezer83]

any ideas on a top gouldian breeding diet, im currently giving good quaility seed, egg biscut, shell grit and a little cod liver oil soaked seed.

[Tiaris]

I'd add some regular greens, eggshells & cuttlebone.

[Shameless_phantom]

Just wondering what sort of greens should be made available?? I give seeding winter grass and some summer seeding grasses, but am unsure of what fruit or vegies to give them. Also will they eat the meal worms?? And are they necessary?? I am only new to breeding gouldians so any help would be great, so i can get my first gouldian babies!

[Tiaris]

Gouldians don't require livefood at all. Mine have regular access to livefood provided for other species which share their breeding aviaries but they don't bother with it at all.
Any seeding grasses are great greens plus chickweed is becoming more available now & over winter & its great. Gouldians don't take too much in the way of fruit & veg but some broadleaf green stuff like bok choy is excellent. Mine will only have an occasional pick at lebanese cucumber which is provided for other species also. Mostly half-ripe green seed or sprouted seed is the next best.

[Glenbary]

Hi bez,
Most of serious Gouldian breeders in SE Qld are using the early harvest milkseed (frozen) produced by Ray and Wendy Lowe at Lowood - not far from where you live. Give them a phone call for availability, price, etc.
It is great food for breeding Gouldians and can be fed as is or mixed with sprouted seed, supplements and vitamins. My mates and i make up enough for 12 months and keep it frozen.
So a standard breeding diet is a good finch seed mix, grit + cuttle shell, frozen soft food mix, greens (eg clover, fresh seed heads), and water.
I have been using milkseed for 4 years now. In a small setup I turn out 100+ Gouldian fledglings annually.
Cheers, Barry

[flap]

I have been following guidelines in the ABK book on gouldian finches (I think it is "A guide to keeping gouldian finches"). they suggest different combinations of seed depending on whether it is moulting, pre-breeding, breeding or non-breeding.