Too many choices!

[flap]

Hi everyone, until recently we had two cages, one with a mixed collection, and one with a few gouldians. Now we have two more small cages, and the birds have increased. So we have two small-medium aviaries, and two small ones. The three groups are mixed collection (4 pr + some young at the moment), RH (3 pairs plus young) and YH (2 prs + young + 2 cocks). Ideally I would like to have the gouldians by head colour in each of our larger cages, and 2 pair each of the mixed ones in the smaller cages.
The spanner in the works is the idea of separating males and females for a while. I am still not sure how many people do that and whether it is necessary. I can see pros and cons in both options. Separate means the birds get a break from breeding but get stressed being caught and moved periodically. Kept together means that some birds may continue to breed and become weak. Surely in nature they self regulate? What is different when in aviary that they don't do that? This decision will impact on how we separate the birds and with various options I am not sure which way to go. Any suggestions will be gratefully received. Thank you.

[vettepilot_6]

Gouldians I have only ever seperated the young...just remove nest recepticles and I have found they usually stop by themselves......But there are exceptions....Great idea to keep head colours seperate other finches like Zebs and Bengalese you may have to seperate, as even if no nests available they are very determined little birds ....as far as stress...when I had birds I had to catch in an aviary...I would use a trap to catch them over a period of days...much less stress then swinging a net around

[flap]

Yes they stopped breeding once we took out nests. Can't say the same about the mixed collection, they are pretty determined and they will nest in the brush. but not too worried about them, just want to make sure gouldians don't nest during the moult.

[mackstaa]

Flap the rest of your collection will finish breeding when their season ends, my parrotfinches just starting now and Dbars and Obreasts will go throu until Christmas (plus they roost in those cane nests together). I wouldnt worry about it even the goulds, some breeders do it also because that they all start their breeding cycle at the same time, literaly hours after they are united. Once the goulds start to moult, they will no doubt stopp breeding.

Mine are going one last round now, still on eggs, I think its their 3rd session with a bit of a break in the winter.
BTW I am going to seperate this year to see if it makes any difference, Goulds only of course.

[teg33]

I think it would be best to separate them, so there is no need for the hen to go flying around being chased by her mate who wants to breed! I agree with Vettiepilot, just trap them in a cage over a period of a few days. I don't like the idea of removing the nests, only because my zebras enjoy sleeping in beds even if they aren't breeding! Good luck!