to keep so they are happy and not fighting and not too noisy? Not sure about keeping males and females, mating troubles or is it easy to raise the young? Also what is the best size cage to have for them in the house? I live where I can not keep them outside. Any hints on their care? Thanks
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It's always best to keep Gouldian Finches in pairs. Only one pair per cage or aviary. Male Gouldian Finches will sing very pleasantly. They tend to hop up and down when they sing. Males have a darker purple color on their chest and the belly is a more intense yellow than the female. The male's mask is also darker than the females.
Gouldian finches are more difficult to breed than zebra or society finches. Breeding them is best kept for the more experienced.
Buy a long cage (horitzontal) with no more than 1/2" bar spacing. Gouldians need plenty of room to fly. They also enjoy swings, so keep one in the cage.
Gouldian Finches need to be housed in a warm, draft-free place. The room temperature shouldn't dip below 70 degrees F. They also need some humidity, so it's a good idea to keep a humidifier going in their room, espeically during the winter.
Gouldian Finches need a good quality seed mix (millets, canary seed, niger), plenty of green veggies, and seeding grasses to eat. Sprouted or soaked seek is very good for them. Cuttlebone, mineral block, or crushed egg shells from a hard boiled egg will provide them with calcium.
Gouldian Finches require occasional nail trims, which can be done by an avian vet or a qualified pet store employee.
Gouldian Finches love to bathe, so make sure water is available to them and that it's very clean.
Gouldians are peaceful birds and very beautiful. They aren't noisy, so they are good for aparment dwellers.
Make sure to take your Gouldian Finches to an avian vet for regular exams. Take them at least once a year. A common disease seen in Gouldian Finches is air sac mites. Some signs of air sac mites are lethargy, difficulty breathing, and hearing a clicking sound when breathing. See an avian vet immediately if you suspect air sac mites.