Aussie Finch Forum

Likely the title says....just wanted to see if anyone on here keeps Gouldians in Perth and can give me some tips and advice from their experiences.

I've heard they're vulnerable to cold winds and damp conditions. I've been keeping an eye on the spot I've put aside for their aviary this winter....it gets a lot of sun from about 9am onwards, and didn't get below 5 C (on the absolute coldest nights). However, I live close to the coast and we get these strong westerly winds coming off the ocean year round.

Thanks

Hi Arcturas
Many of us successfully keep and breed Gouldians in Perth.Sounds like yours will obtain enough sun, but you'll also need to provide shelter from the wind. We all have different strategies of achieving this.

Arcturus wrote:Likely the title says....just wanted to see if anyone on here keeps Gouldians in Perth and can give me some tips and advice from their experiences.

I've heard they're vulnerable to cold winds and damp conditions. I've been keeping an eye on the spot I've put aside for their aviary this winter....it gets a lot of sun from about 9am onwards, and didn't get below 5 C (on the absolute coldest nights). However, I live close the coast and we get these strong westerly winds coming off the ocean year round.

Thanks

I don't live in the West but your aviary should face East to North East or North. Either that or cover up the South and Westside and leave the North side open if that is possible.
There are plenty of gouldian breeders in Perth. Craig

Welcome to AFF.
Draughts and/or cold wind are an issue for all species, however Gouldians are renowned for camping out in the most exposed position in any aviary so good to ensure the whole aviary is protected.

Regards,
Sam

Thanks Redwing

I was thinking of building an enclosed "roost" in the main structure where they could hide from bad weather....but no guarantee they'd go in there.

Was also going to attach some café blinds to ward off the worst of the winds. Would have them up in summer though

What strategies have you heard of?

Thanks for the replies guys

SamDavis wrote:Gouldians are renowned for camping out in the most exposed position in any aviary so good to ensure the whole aviary is protected.

Ah...I did not know that. I had intended to cover the westerly side with café blinds, but maybe I should cover all sides in winter

Craig52 wrote:I don't live in the West but your aviary should face East to North East or North. Either that or cover up the South and Westside and leave the North side open if that is possible. There are plenty of gouldian breeders in Perth. Craig

It faces N-W....the eastern side is bordered by a fence and the northern aspect is exposed (or will be when I finish it)

Hi Arcturus and welcome to the forum.

Honestly its not that had the fact that you can capture the sunlight your on the right track.
I'm in the middle of building a aviary (should of been finished by now, long ago) and I have located it in the best position granted the real-estate I had for the sunlight but I will have to battle the winds so I will be using some clear panels that can be quickly inserted and removed when needed.

Café blinds will work the treat as well.

Wet and windy is a bad combination but If you cant keep them from both do your best to kept them dry. My birds can handle some wind but I don't think they could handle being wet.

Good luck,
Rich.

Blue Cuban wrote: the fact that you can capture the sunlight your on the right track.

Thanks for that BC.

I was actually more concerned about too much sun...the spot I had in mind gets full sun, all day, every day. I keep fish as well and last summer I lost a bunch to heat in that exact spot(the water was about 37C when I checked).

Blue Cuban wrote:Wet and windy is a bad combination but If you cant keep them from both do your best to kept them dry. My birds can handle some wind but I don't think they could handle being wet.

Do you guys build your aviaries with full cover?

Arcturus wrote:

Blue Cuban wrote: the fact that you can capture the sunlight your on the right track.

Thanks for that BC.

I was actually more concerned about too much sun...the spot I had in mind gets full sun, all day, every day. I keep fish as well and last summer I lost a bunch to heat in that exact spot(the water was about 37C when I checked).

Blue Cuban wrote:Wet and windy is a bad combination but If you cant keep them from both do your best to kept them dry. My birds can handle some wind but I don't think they could handle being wet.

Do you guys build your aviaries with full cover?

My gouldians thrive in heat

The hotter the better

On days over 35 they are singing away

As long as they have open wire and air flowing all around them they will love hot summer days

In winter I expose my goulds to wind in the front of the aviary, the back is enclosed if they want shelter

My second aviary is a rectangle with the small ends facing north and south and the back of the aviary faces to the east and is a solid wall. So about the worst aspect you can have.
Over winter i placed clear cafe blinds from Bunnings at each end. I also covered half of the west facing side (front) with shade cloth.
This stopped the aviary from becoming a wind tunnel whilst still allowing as much fresh air and sunlight as possible.
My pair of gouldians are working on their second lot of offspring so are happy enough.

Still winter has been pretty mild this year, especially in Baldivis.