new gouldians

Need some general finch keeping help? Ask your questions here.
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shanny2
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Joined: 09 Jun 2010, 21:03
Location: NSW, shellharbour

hi there all I have some gouldians and I have waited so long to get them I have 7 of them :) and I could use your help like useful information like behaviour, how hard are they to breed and any useful tips that I could use or have please thankyou all.
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Buzzard-1
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Location: Narrabri North West NSW
Location: North West NSW

Congratulations on your acquisitions. What would you like to know?
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finchbreeder
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Location: Midwest of West. Aust. Coast
Location: Midwest of West.Aust.Coast

Most important. Keep them well protected from cold and damp.
LML
LML
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shanny2
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Location: NSW, shellharbour

like how aggresive can they get and with breeding mainly
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kimberley breeder
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Joined: 01 Aug 2010, 18:57
Location: Perth/ Byford- WA
Location: Perth - SOR

Hi Shanny-
Congrats on finally getting your Gouldians! They are a wonderful species and will breed very well for you if conditions you provide for the are right. It has alreday been mentioned that cold and damp conditions are definetly not favoured by this species. Here is some information I can give you based on my breeding:

Housing:Best to house head colours seperately and note that the red heads are the most aggressive. For every pair provide 3 suitable nest boxes. The love the type where there is a seprate entrance or the ones like Mike Fiddler has designed. I have several different types in myaviaries and let them choose. They are very poor nest builders so you will need to provide boxes and stuff them with soft grassess. The male will finish off any other material the pair wants to put in.

Make sure they have access to some natural sunlight (at least 30 mins per day) and that the aviary floor ahs good drainage and they are protected from drafts

Feeding: Always a good quality seed should be made available. I provide my gouldinas with Mike fidlers complete soft food mixed in with some greens and hard boiled egg. They also get fresh seeding grasses everyday. Grit,eggshell and vitamin mineral powder mix is always made available along with fresh clean drinking water. Live fod is not essential for this species however mine absolutely adore fly pupae especially when they have young in the nest!!

There are also various other mineral suppliments to assist during times of moulting and breeding however if you provide a good diet you shouldnt need these.

Illnesses It is very important to observe your birds daily to give any early warning of illness. Birds can hide illness very well! Best to observe from a distance to notice any signs the bird is ill. Fluffed up apperance, sleeping most of the day, runny droppings to name a few. As you become more observant of what is normal in your birds you will get more confidence in identifying any issues. If a bird becomes ill remove it straight away to isolate it form the others. Its a good idea to keep a broard spectrum antibiotic in your first aid kit. Gouldians are also prone to air sac mites.

Hopefully some of this information has helped you and you will get much joy out of owning these birds. Good luck with them!!
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jusdeb
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Are these the ones you got early December ?
Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue.
David Brent
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shanny2
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the first 4 but one escaped 3 red heads and 4 black heads 3 days ago and the black heads look bigger then the red heads
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jusdeb
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Oh ok the head colours might be relevant in how you house them and breed them but Ill let an expert explain that ....( MIGHT be relevant )
Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue.
David Brent
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shanny2
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with one particular red head I can hear like grows and I have 3 boys and 4 girls
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