Aussie Finch Forum

I've got 3 pair of gouldians in 1 avairy and wanted to know how many breeding boxes do I supply them with, thought about supplying 5 or is that to much cheers

4 or 5 is perfect. So every hen gets a choice of at least 2.
LML

I go for a minimum of 6. At least two boxes per pair.

Also maybe put the boxes at different heights. Research shows that the most dominant pair will pick the highest nestbox.

Good luck

cheers, Case

Thank you for the information

Research shows that the most dominant pair will pick the highest nestbox. There should be a Usually in there. As if the boxes are different sizes and types and locations, the dominant pair will, on rare occassions pick a box that is not the highest. Apparently it is due to the box being of a more desirable type. But agree with Case, more is better.
LML

Which breeding boxes do you use?Any particular one, in the past I ended up using budgie boxes for their size for the big clutches you sometimes get with the gouldians.

I use a mixture, as different birds (same type) seem to have different preferences. Maybe to do with where they were raised? Budgie boxes are good, as are rectangular or square boxes with a hole, both cardboard and wood, work. But the cardboard will need dicing once it gets grotty. While wood can be soaked in disinfectant and scrubbed. And cardboard need securing so they do not move, more than the wood ones do.
LML

I've tried almost all possible different nest box designs for Gouldians and ended up coming back to the basic rectangle with hole & perch at the front. Those which are too big or had separate chambers seemed to have increase incidence of eggs or young being built in front of or on top of by over-zealous males. Also too big a nest chamber loses the collective body warmth effect during cool nights.
I always put boxes at exactly the same height and try to make them all identical to reduce aggressive competition for nests. Using different heights increases competition/aggression between pairs competing for higher positions in the hierarchy and for more desired boxes or locations. Different heights may prove the existence of hierarchies with multi-pair colonies, but it increases competition as all pairs must fight to establish their position. I want my birds to be lovers not fighters.

Tiaris wrote:I've tried almost all possible different nest box designs for Gouldians and ended up coming back to the basic rectangle with hole & perch at the front. Those which are too big or had separate chambers seemed to have increase incidence of eggs or young being built in front of or on top of by over-zealous males. Also too big a nest chamber loses the collective body warmth effect during cool nights.
I always put boxes at exactly the same height and try to make them all identical to reduce aggressive competition for nests. Using different heights increases competition/aggression between pairs competing for higher positions in the hierarchy and for more desired boxes or locations. Different heights may prove the existence of hierarchies with multi-pair colonies, but it increases competition as all pairs must fight to establish their position. I want my birds to be lovers not fighters.

I have to agree with that Tiaris,an example of science gone wrong.What works for others may not work for us."I want my birds to be lovers not fighters"

Craig

The vast array of interesting and ingenious designs for Gouldian nestboxes probably contributed to the coining of those 'wise old jungle sayings':

If it ain't broke, don't fix it . . and . . K.I.S.S.