Weaning handraised Gouldians-YAY!! I did it!!!

[kimberley breeder]

The 2 gouldian chicks that managed to survive the ant massacre that occurred in my aviary a week ago seem to be doing well and are almost at fledging stage. Question is I need some advice as to how to get them to start taking seed.

I reakon they are a few days from fledging so Ive started putting green sprays of millet in their box and scattered some soaked seend to try and get them picking at it. I have an uncoloured juvenile Gould in another aviary, perhaps it (dont know the sex yet) might be a good mentor??

Any advice would be awesome!Thanks all!

[spanna]

My advice: be patient! It can take a bloody long time for them to become fully independent. The 3 I'm hand rearing are picking at the millet sprays, getting the husk off, then spitting the whole lot back out!!! I have found in the past that they will very suddenly change from being fully independent to not needing any feeding at all. My last 2 painteds discovered the joys of maggots, and I never fed them again, and my gouldian discovered soaked seed and weaned himself in under a week. Keep sprinkling seed on the floor and curiosity should do the rest.

[kimberley breeder]

Thanks spanna! I was hoping youd chime in I guess my approach so far is correct. Cross fingers...Im quite ready for them to be independent. Im having to fly them with me to work everyday LOL!

[spanna]

I don't have to fly anywhere, but mine have become quite used to car rides. They don't like going for a drive when it's dark though... Was driving along expecting to have to explain to a police officer why my internal light was on as I was driving! "Sorry sir, my little birds are afraid of the dark!"

I wouldn't expect them to be independent for at least another 3 weeks yet (sorry!!), but once they can fly confidently I increase the time between feedings by 30 minutes, give them that little bit more incentive to try seed!! Then you just have to monitor them as closely as you can. It may help to actually put the seed in a bowl on the floor, that way you can tell if it has been pecked at.

Good luck!

[flap]

Was driving along expecting to have to explain to a police officer why my internal light was on as I was driving! "Sorry sir, my little birds are afraid of the dark!"

PMSL!

[kimberley breeder]

Ive been in perth for a few days and my poor hubby had the task of feeding the 2 Gouldian bubs-unfortunately one suddenly had died and he felt sooo bad..Good news is, I got back today and the remaining chick is healthy and had a full crop of seed! So it looks like its just about weaned! Still begs for food, so will keep an eye on it and be strong and not give it. If it has seed in its crop-its not going to starve.

Im pleased I have been able to handraise from about 10 days old..but it isnt something I would want to do very often.

Ill try and get some pics of the little darling

[mattymeischke]

Well done, KB.

[finches247]

Well Done

[Diane]

Well done, I know what its like to listen to the pathetic, constant peeping till I give in and feed them, and that is just because Im running a bit late!