Gouldians uninterested in breeding

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Tt101
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Posts: 34
Joined: 16 Oct 2011, 13:12
Location: Canada

Hi,
I have my pair of gouldians set up and they have created their nest in the nestbox. They don't seem to want to breed, the male is not displaying although he does go in the nestbox and make a long trill and the female follows in. A couple days ago I seen him standing really tall and singing that same song, but he isn't hopping and doing the regular gouldian actions. Are they perhaps mating in the nestbox and that's why I never see it?
Thanks
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E Orix
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Posts: 2740
Joined: 29 May 2009, 23:30
Location: Howlong on NSW/Vic Border 30km from Albury
Location: Howlong NSW

Even though they look good and seem in condition to breed they may not be actually in breeding condition or mode.
The male will always want to display or mate but the hens biological clock my not be ready.
The single item I go by and know the female can lay fertile eggs is her beak changes to dark grey.
There may be other reasons that the serious Gouldian breeders may wish to add.
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Tt101
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Posts: 34
Joined: 16 Oct 2011, 13:12
Location: Canada

Her beak is deffinitely dark grey....I hadn't really noticed how dark it's gotten until now. It was white with a black tip but now it appears to be covered in charcoal grey coloring so I know she's ready and the male has a bright red tip on his beak....what gives?
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Diane
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Joined: 05 Apr 2009, 14:23
Location: Northern 'burbs of Adelaide
Location: Northern 'burbs of Adelaide

I have never seen gouldians mating. I have read they mate in the nest.
I see the cock birds doing their routine, singing, bouncing up and down followed by some serious head shaking while being watched by the hen. I have seen the hen respond with the head shaking too. The telling thing, apart from the beak being black is the hens tail pointing to the side when watching the cock bird go through his routine.
Is could be as E Orix said your hen just isn't quite ready yet.
Diane
The difference between Genius and Stupidity is, Genius has it’s limits
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Tt101
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Posts: 34
Joined: 16 Oct 2011, 13:12
Location: Canada

lol my hen keeps looking into the nest and just now shes been in there for about 1 hour i think she expects the male to lay the eggs :shock: . whats bothering me is that he has not displayed with the hopping and bouncing, i feel like shes :soppy: :heart: :heart: but hes :yawn:.
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mackstaa
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Joined: 07 Mar 2011, 22:10
Location: Boy from Basso

TT Goulds are known to be picky with thier mates. Sometimes swapping a new cockbird in the aviary will send her straight to the nest on her back :roll:
Mackstaa
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okiebirds
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Joined: 05 Apr 2011, 13:52
Location: Oklahoma

My males seem to stop displaying after they "get some"

Some breed in the nest some breed outside

I've got 6 pairs on nest right now (2 on their 2nd clutch) and 5 pair that havent done the deed yet. Of those five some have made nests some havent. (all first year birds)

Youve got a male a female and a nest..its going to happen just give it a little time :)
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Tt101
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Posts: 34
Joined: 16 Oct 2011, 13:12
Location: Canada

Thanks guys, but this pair is proven from last year so I'm sure if they could do it once then they will do it again you know what I mean.....last year they laid twice with 3 chicks each clutch.
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E Orix
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Joined: 29 May 2009, 23:30
Location: Howlong on NSW/Vic Border 30km from Albury
Location: Howlong NSW

Patients may be needed :P :P
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Tt101
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Posts: 34
Joined: 16 Oct 2011, 13:12
Location: Canada

Yeah I know I'm no longer checking the nest, I'll wait a week before I check again. No matter how much I feel like I have to I'm going to wait.
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