Questions about red headed Gouldians

[kuruptz]

Hey guys

Only got my first handraised bird a week ago, and have been bitten with the bird bug.

I want to get a pair or just 2 Red Headed Purple breasted Gouldians, What is the best thing to do? buy them as a pair or just buy a male and female?

Whats the difference between me getting a male and female and buying a pair?

I sore them at the pet shop and was amazed by there beauty they are really nice birds, never seen them before yesterday, always thought finches were ugly little brown things.

I will be breeding birds when i grow up and want to start young to learn and get some experience (im 18/male)

Are these good birds?
Should i get a pair or just a boy and girl and pair them up?
They good breeders?
What will i need for them to breed?
How much should a pair cost?

I have found a lady that sells Gouldians for $20 each but dont know about pairs. Whats a good price for a pair and single?

Anyone know good breeders in Sydney?

Thanks

Have A nice day.

[zooyouthben]

Prices vary state to state, but i know Gouldian Breed better in a colony, so better off getting 2 pairs, they will breed in a budgie box

[Jane]

Can't say I'm a finch expert but breeding basics are the same for most birds. If you are starting out a pair who has already bred is a good idea as they are less likely to give you any parenting problems. However if you can't find a pair then a boy and girl is fine just give them a month to bond before giving them a nest to make sure they have mated before then hen lays eggs. Breeeding birds need fresh vegies/fruit/sprouts everyday as well as seed to ensure the babies are healthy too.
Breeding is so exciting you'll love it

[zooyouthben]

Gouldians arent big on fruit, but Livefood such as termites in a good idea they will touch friut though being desert Parrotfinches

[kuruptz]

How the hell do i feed them termites? i don t want bloody termites in the house.(if they escape)

So its best for the birds if i get 2 pairs? as 1 pair wont breed?

How many babies do they usually have?

[zooyouthben]

termites can be purchased from Bird dealers, they are ground dwelling termites that eat grasses not wood. 1 pair may breed but you increase your chances if you get 2 pairs

they can have up to 6 babies

[kuruptz]

So i just leave termites in the cage? or just 1 or 2 and they eat them straight away?

So is it best to get 2 pairs? will this be better for the birds?

Are these birds good parents?

Would it be ok to start with 1 pair and if they arnt breeding then get another pair? or will this make the original pair unhappy as another 2 birds have come into the picture? (just to test if they breed with just the two of them)

[zooyouthben]

It all depends on how big the aviary is, but 2 pairs are always better than 1 as the birds can pic there partners, you feed termites as you would any live food in a doop sided dish, about 10-15 a day. the birds will just eat them when they wanna.

[kuruptz]

iT wont be in an avairy i will be having them in a cage, is that ok or do i need them in an avairy to breed?

[zooyouthben]

they are more likely to breed in a aviary, how big is the cage?

[kuruptz]

Well i was thinking of using like a cockatiel size cage, like big enough for a cockatiel, dont know measurements, about $40-$50 bucks from the local pet shop.

around 40 to 50cm each side

and about 80-90cm going up

[zooyouthben]

i would not keep gouldians in that they stress to easily.

THey are hard enough to breedin a aviary, but they would not breed in a cage that size, the minmum i would use would be an aviary 1.2m X 1.2m

[kuruptz]

dam! guess that rules them out

What birds do breed in cages?

[zooyouthben]

Zerba finches breed well as do bengalese finches, Orange Breasted Waxbills may aswell,

[Jane]

Yeah I have heard that gouldians are very sensitive. The other finches Ben mentioned are good for starting to breed and I'll put in a vote for budgies too. Budgies are great to start breeding, they come in a trillion different colours, won't mind having a large cage instead of an aviary, they breed very easily and are great parents! And they chatter away all day too.

[nathman]

Mate, most finches are good breeders in cages. Gouldians are a very peculiar bird. They can fall sick from just putting your hand in the cage or by sitting near the avairy. A pair of Zebra finches will work well for you as they are prolific breeders (breed better in an aviary though)and are cheap as chips to buy. That is how I started out myself. White is the dominant color in Zebs, so if you dont want white check for no white markings at all. Another good idea is to keep them wormed. If you cant decide what bird you want, just go to a petshop and listen for the songs they sing and pick the one you like and ask the worker there if they are good for a cage or aviary. Ben and Jane sent you on the right track, there are many birds out there so take your time to pick them.