Mother's Day Surprise - gouldian's

[Suesue]

I have looked and wanted some Gouldian's for many years but then when the chance for Tiel's came up I was happy and content with 8 cages of an assortment of birds.

My adult son's and hubby decided that I needed just two more. I don't know if they are male and female or as the person at the breeders told them one of each. They are not related they did make sure of that and one is about 9 months old and 1 about 3 months old.

I know they need a little different diet than my Orange Wing Amazon, my diamond doves, zebra finches, love birds and tiel's.

I know the fresh fruit and veggies and some seeds and pellets for canaries or that is what I have read and I have all of that. I also now at many different sites am reading they need extra iodine and grit and gravel is this true. I thought grit and gravel was a no no for most birds.

I would one day like to breed them in a couple of years when they are older and I am ready. Taking care of the baby tiels I have has been fun and I have really enjoyed it hand feeding and all. I don't want to breed to sale but would like to let them breed at least once later on so I can have a couple more cages for my spoiled babies. One for girls and one for males.

I think I spend all day doing the dog, bird and cat shuffle as I call it so that each and every baby has a lot of free time. The cats are outdoor cat's my mother in law's but because of her poor health I bring them in an hour a day for her, The dogs are yorkies and house dogs but when I let the birds out they are put in a room of there own with a treat as to not get there feelings hurt.

I don't of course let the different breeds of birds out together because I don't wish any of them to hurt each other by nature.

I will now have to start with working on finger training these two and go from there. I just want there diet to be as complete as all of the other animals I have. I know about the quartine from all the rest and washing and changing cloth to keep everyone safe.

Any help would be appreciated.

[macawlover]

Congrats on the gouldians!! If you post a picture I may be able to sex them.
Grit is not needed for birds that shell seeds. So you probably shouldn't have to give it to your gouldians.
It may be hard to finger train them, as most finches don't like to be handled. The only way I know how to finger train them is to hand feed them from a baby. However, I wish you good luck and keep us updated!

[ROYJOY]

grit sould be offered to all birds. here we go again.

[poohbear]

My Gouldians are supplied with crushed oystershell,cuttlefish bone,eggshells,and grit.With a sprinkle of charcoal.Always have been...always will be. I've bred them since 1957....works for me.
Paul.

[christie99]

I offer some oystershell in with the seed, cuttlefish bone, egg shells, free choice powdered kelp (for iodine), and free choice charcoal. I tried grit, they never touched it, it became a place to poo and I got tired of cleaning it.

I have read arguments both ways about goulds and grit. They seem to do fine with it and without it from my research.

[Suesue]

Thank you for the help so far I am working on a good variety of things for them to try.

I was wondering how you get them still enough for a picture they are like hummingbirds so fast. They may settle down after a week or so when they get use to me. They sure make a lot of tiny noises which is so sweet.

I have learned one good lesson today while cleaning the cage and giving fresh food and water they both flew out beside of my arm in two different directions. I grabbed up my two yorkies that were watching me and put them in the laundry room while I tried to catch these fast babies. I found one really fast and caught it but was in a panic when I couldn't find the other. I was down on my hands and knees looking everywhere for it. My female yorkie was barking her head off so thinking she was upset at the sudden laundry room confinement I went in to let her out and there on top of the freezer was the other bird that she was trying her best to let me know was in with them.

The Tiels, zebra finches, diamond doves and my amazon have never done this so I was not prepared. So new rule is when cleaning out cage take cage and all supplies into back bathroom not close to other birds, dogs, cats etc just in case this happens again.

I will do my best to get pictures of them as soon as I can.

[Suesue]

I have looked for charcoal for birds and can't find it where do you find this.

[christie99]

I purchase mine online from Lady Gouldian Finch.com – Superior Birds, Supplements, Medications & Supplies Larraine, the lady that runs it is wonderful. I offer it in the little finger cups that she sells. They fit nicely in the cage and don't take up much space.