Help Help Gouldian Dramas

[natamambo]

You have a number of separate issues, here goes.
1) Head colour. Red cock + black hen will always result in all red unless the cock is also split for black.
2) Even getting a red hen doesn't guarantee that red will choose red, so you can't have like with like in a colony breeding setup as you have. You need to accept you're mixing head colours or separate the types of birds.
3) Unless your nests are well protected, I reckon this summer is going to be waaay to hot to get things moving now. I'm waiting a few more weeks before putting boxes in, I prefer my fried eggs to be chook not finches.
4) Many breeders advocate spare cocks to get things moving, others say only even pairs. Your birds may well dictate this for you. This is the same logic used to keep cocks and hens separate, it's always been my experience that the boys are keener than the girls .
5) Gouldians bred in 2011 should be ready to go in 2012, but it may take some hens longer to get "the hang of it". The black beak will tell you when an individual hen is in season.
6) 2 boxes per pair is important, but so is space, at least 500mm all round each box, ideally up to 1m.

[Diane]

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This topic has a list of lots of different genetic forecasters the top two are for gouldians, the top one requires you to email the creator and ask for a password the second one is online and can be used straight away. Each have coloured icons to you can see what pairs are likely to produce.

[Tiaris]

I don't want to go over what's already been covered re: extra nest sites, etc. but the aggression between cocks in your aviary is a very clear indicator that an extra cock in your colony is going to definitely pose more problems than any possible advantages. I'd shift the extra cock. If the most aggressive one isn't clearly superior in size, colour & shape to the others he'd be the obvious one to take out. I also favour a later start to breeding (late Feb) but good luck whichever way you go.

[E Orix]

There will be many different views and comments especially when in comes to the Gouldian enthuisiasts.
While not being a rabbid Gouldian fan I have kept a few over the years.
Gouldians are not the peaceful bird that people think inparticular to their fellow Gouldians.
If you release say 5 pair of Gouldians into and aviary you will get pair domination, the alpha pair will dominate,they will take what ever nest box they so desire regarless of the contents.The next pair will dominate the other birds when the top pair are not near.
The result is 2 pairs breeding normally,the third pair will attempt and may be lucky and pairs 4 and 5 will struggle and may not even try.
So what can you do to get hopefully all 5 pairs happy and breeding. Try to limit stress on the lesser pairs by putting in a stress perch . Place your nest boxes apart and at different levels. The top boxes go to the strong but a box 1200mm off the floor would be ignored by all bar lesser pairs who you may find will rear chicks happily.
Nest boxes,while I am not going to go into which are the best because, what I can say is I use the MF type because his explanation seems to ring true.
With the perch set in an alcove for want of a better word. When the bird is sitting there the only way a bullying bird can attack is from the front and that is not preferred.There fore the birds feel more secure.The slopping roof makes it difficult for the domanant birds to sit on other boxes and threaten.
Finally I put a 300mmx250mm divide board between the boxes so the pairs can't see the box next to them while at their own box.
So cut the bullying and stress down and you should get all pairs breeding and bigger clutches.