Conference 7.286::pet_birds

RE: Gouldian Light Requirements

According to "Gouldian Finches", by A.J. Mobbs, "Gouldian finches require
15 hours of light each day during the breeding season - the lights in my 
aviary are switched on at 6 A.M. and turned off at 9 P.M.  Daylite or
TRULITE flourescent tubes are used, as these provide a shadowless light which 
reaches all parts of the room and does not throw what could be alarming 
shadows into the birds' cages.

"Gouldians are flock birds and this coupled with the nervous disposition of 
young birds, can cause problems during the night period. ... a small wattage 
light bulb should be left burning at night.  Once young birds have reached 
maturity, the night light can be dispensed with..."

I keep my finch aviaries lit by florescent tubes from 7 AM to 10 PM.  We
also keep night lights on because the birds occasionally have panic attacks
during the night and they all fly in a panic in the dark.  Also the night
light has solved the cockatiel night attacks, (maddened beating of wings
against cage bars in the dark until either the loss of blood exhausts them or
a disgruntled keeper comes into the room and turns on a light). 

Since we installed the florescents, the birds look much better: feathers are
more sleek, colors are brighter and they seem to be more active.  The 
florescents sit on top of the 4 x 3 x 1.5 flight; this seems to work well.
I use a small watt incandescent bulb, usually a 25 watt, for a night light.

The question of type of light is an interesting one.  I have read that the 
best lamps are Vita-lites, a florescent tube type light.  The Vita-lites
are supposed to be better for birds because they most closely simulate the
spectrum of natural light.  This is supposed to assist in better breeding
results.  They come in 18", 24" and 48" bulbs that fit in regular florescent
fixtures.  I keep intending to order some....  

I was going to suggest that you contact the Boston Society for Aviculture,
since they carry these bulbs at a pretty good discount, but then I figured out
that you're on the East side of the pond... For those of us in the Boston area,
the Boston Society of Aviculture newletter I have lists the president as Phil
Matyi at 655-4143, back when we were all area 617. I don't know if you must be
a member to purchase through them. 

-Steve 

    Steve,
    
    I have been seriously considering getting some Gouldian's.
    
    Can you answer some questions for me...
    
    How many Gouldians to you have in your flight?  
    Do you have other Finches in their also?  What kind are they?  
    What would you consider and average cost to be for a pair or separate?
    
    I know there are different types of Gouldians;
    
    Which are the heartiest?
    Which go best in a mixed Finch flight?
    Which are the most expensive?
    Which breed the best?
    
    Thanks for the info!

    Somewhere, somehow, in flitting through various notes files I saw
    a reference to GOULDIANS and added it to my directory.  However,
    when I try to access it, nothing happens.  Did I dream this up or
    perhaps this is a society of people named Gould, and restricted?
    
    Thanks for the light info... the birds are too still for my comfort
    so perhaps more and better light is the answer.  England is magic
    but winter days are dark; artifical light is all there is!

    The avairy is now lit with a small regular type light bulb... the
    florescent grow-lite were simply too expensive.  It was approaching
    $100 for light fixture, dimmer and tube.  We bought the parts in
    our local woolworths and made it ourselves for under ten pounds
    (twenty dollars).
    
    All the birds seem happier and are more vocal with the light so
    even if it is not perfect, it is an improvement.  The male Gouldian
    is active and sings his husky little song quite a lot; the female
    is too quiet but I don't know if that is her style or what.
    
    These birds are in a mixed collection, most of whom are trying to
    breed even tho' the season is wrong.  We're lucky to have a same
    sex pair of Bengalese so if the Gouldians try to join in, we've
    built in foster parents.  Since this is a colony, wonder how they
    figure it all out?
    
    As long as they are healthy and active, they can breed or not, it's
    their choice.  Since everything else in the group has so far (except
    the Bengalese which is the only way I know they are a same sex pair)
    we must be doing something right.
    
    An earlier note asked about price... in the UK, forty pounds per
    pair seems to be standard.  For dollars, double the price.  I didn't
    notice any difference between types, mine is red-headed, with purple
    breast and yellow lower down.  We did note a mutant which was selling
    for 125 pounds per bird, but they would, wouldn't they?
    
    

    Hi!  About those Gouldians!  I have sold off all of mine!  And now
    I am sorry for it!  They are stunning little birds!  We had red
    heads, black heads, dilutes and yellows.  However, this is breeding
    season for Goulds!  They go opposite from everyone else!
    
    Goulds breed in a box rather than a nest, and need foster birds,
    because they would rather party than stay home and rear a batch
    of kids!  8^}  Very, VERY few goulds will raise their own clutches.
    
    The reason for the 14/15 hours of day light is to force the birds
    into thinking it is spring time!!!  The longer they are awake, they
    need something to do...why not breed?  While it is dark, the adults
    do not feed, meaning the babies do not get fed.  So, if there are
    longer days, there are more feedings.
    
    If you do decide to breed the goulds...provide live meal worms for
    them...they need the protien.  Be sure to use the 'small' worms
    and offer about 6 per day.  And, baby gouldians don't look like
    gouldians...they look 'adopted' till they are almost 6 months old!
    8^}
    
    Best of luck with the brood!!!
    
    Jean

    The male Goulding "Bruce" is doing a funny little dance:  he stares
    at the female and jumps straight up and down about an inch or two
    off the perch!!  The female "Brucie" completely ignors him.  Bruce
    is busy going in and out of an enclosed finch type nest but not
    carrying nesting material, just looking.
    
    I'm quite sure the female is too young so I'm not bothered if she
    ignors him.  However, the Bengales have now laid five eggs and take
    turns sitting, one or both together -- so the same sex pair must
    be female.
    
    Mrs. Serin now has three eggs and is very VERY intense about sitting
    but this would be her fourth time since September.  Unless I steal
    the eggs, don't know how to stop her.
    
    Adding the light has made everybody including that stupid Chinese
    Painted Quail much more active.  
    
    I agree -- not much looks more stunning in a mixed group than the
    colours of a Gouldian!
    
    Regards to all

    HI!
    
    If the goulds are not ready to produce, then I suggest removing
    the nest for now.  Having the nest there, is going to provolk breeding
    behavior from the male and frustrate him if she does not
    cooperate...8^}  Removing the nest will also discourage the societies
    from breeding further...or should I have said, laying more eggs.
    
    Jean

    I've thought about removing nests but the birds sleep in them at
    night, as well as spend time tugging at bits, ect.  The nests seem
    to keep them occupied.
    
    The male is still doing his little dance and the female is now looking
    at 'their' nest althought I've not seen her enter it yet.  His being
    frustrated doesn't bother me unless he gets agressive -- and so
    far, he's been very laid back (is that a poor choice of words?).
    
    The Bengalese have been laying eggs for a couple of years now and
    never seem to come to harm.... but if anybody looks like they're
    getting in poor condition, it would certainly be a starting point
    for a remedy!

    Sounds like you have some happy little birds!!  I am still trying
    to beat the green monster back down!!!  8^}  A friend of mine just
    had two pairs of Goulds lay 12 eggs, of the 12, 8 are hatched and
    being added to the aviary!  Only 4 of these were fostered!  He has
    some nice goulds to raise their own babies!
    
    Good luck to you too!  I hope some day you go home and find eggs,
    and then 11 or so days later, you have babies!  8^}
    
    Jean