When to separate Gouldian pairs after breeding?
Posted: 01 Dec 2022, 11:08
So I am in a dilema. I have two colony cages, one for each sex of Gouldian finches. These are side by side, however, the view between them is totally blocked so males and females don’t see each other. Additionally, I have one breeding cage.
I had one pair of gouldians in the breeding cage, which resulted in 3 chicks, now a bit over 70 days old, fully weaned. Each colony cage had 3 birds that I decided not to breed this year.
The three chicks are fully independent. I do not intend to let the parents have anymore clutches either, however, the hen kept trying to make nests in the feeders. I decided then to break the pair, and moved each one to their each respective colony cage, leaving the three chicks in the breeding cage.
The issue I am having is that the hen is very vocal, restless flying in the colony cage. The male on the other hand seems a bit apathetic, however singing and eating.
The question is, when is the proper time to separate the Gouldian pair from each other? Should I leave the pair together until they start the molt, then I can move them back to the colony cages?
The chicks don’t seem to mind the parents being away. They are very active and playful.
Thanks in advance!
I had one pair of gouldians in the breeding cage, which resulted in 3 chicks, now a bit over 70 days old, fully weaned. Each colony cage had 3 birds that I decided not to breed this year.
The three chicks are fully independent. I do not intend to let the parents have anymore clutches either, however, the hen kept trying to make nests in the feeders. I decided then to break the pair, and moved each one to their each respective colony cage, leaving the three chicks in the breeding cage.
The issue I am having is that the hen is very vocal, restless flying in the colony cage. The male on the other hand seems a bit apathetic, however singing and eating.
The question is, when is the proper time to separate the Gouldian pair from each other? Should I leave the pair together until they start the molt, then I can move them back to the colony cages?
The chicks don’t seem to mind the parents being away. They are very active and playful.
Thanks in advance!