AVIARY POSITION.
EGG SHELLS.
Gouldians love working away at eggshells, especially during the breeding season.
I am always collecting eggs shells from my family.
The shells need a good wash.
I was recently told by someone qualified "ie a molecular biologist" that the best
way to ensure they are safe is to boil them in a pot.
I use to microwave them on
high for about 3 minutes thinking it would kill any bacteria. This is WRONG! Best to use
boiling water. You can thank Christine for that tip!
AVIAN INSECT LIQUIDATOR - VETAFARM.
Every 6 weeks I spray my finches with Vetafarm's Avian Insect Liquidator.
This product is excellent and keeps the finches free of lice and other insects.
I also spray it in and around the nest boxes.
SEED AND AVIAN PRODUCTS.
Mackay Robert & Sons
6 Kookaburra Frankston (P) 9781 4263
Without any doubt, this is the cheapest place going around.
I buy my seed here in 20-kilo bags.
They have the cheapest
water bowls and can get any VETAFARM product in at the RECOMMENDED retail
price! Except Scatt which is not avialable in Australia unless you are a Vetaclub member.
If it is not on the shelf they will order it in for you.
They also have other brand products in at very cheap prices.
SWAMP GRASS NESTING MATERIAL.
Peninsula Bird World
9 Bennets Road Mornington (P)5975 0945
I purchase my swamp grass from here, as it is clean, soft
and well priced. The Goulds love it. I also purchase my grit here.
They also have some Vetafarm products and a good range of finches.
AIR SAC MITE MEDICATION.
I am now a member of the Vetaclub at Vetafarm so I am able to
purchase Scatt even though I reside in Australia.
It is so easy to use and I have had no deaths after using it.
It comes in a 30 gram bottle and one drop is safe for birds under 30 grams. The bottle actually states
1 drop for 30 gram weight but I have been told from Vetafarm that it should read "under 30 grams apply one drop" which as
you know applies to our Gouldians that generally weigh around 15 grams give or take.
As I have said I have used it and have no problem recommending it
as long as you are carefully squeezing the bottle so that only one drop falls. It is very easy.
I use to purchase air sac mite medication from the Australian Bird Company and Breeding Farm,
578 Springvale Road Springvale South. (P) 9548 2422. Its called Australian Bird Company Mite
Antiparasite Solution. Ideal for use on birds where Scaley Mite and Air Sac Mite are inhabitating. Dosage 1 drop on the back
of the head of the bird once a day until symptoms are gone. I place all the colony in
holding cages and to be safe I treat for 24 days straight. Luckily I don't have to do this anymore! Thanks to Scatt!
CLEANLINESS.
A clean aviary is the next best tip other than position of your aviary!
Bacteria is transmitted through dirty water, perches, floors,
feeding trays and feeding bowls. Keep them all CLEAN.
I change the
perches regularly. Soak the plastic trays/bowls in bleached warm water for 15
mintues every time they are used. I have seven water bowls for every day of the
week. Change the water daily and also add Vetafarm's Aviclens. The outside section
takes care of itself with a good hose down at least once a week.
MOULTING, PROTEIN AND IODINE.
Keep the protein and iodine levels up during this period. Provide a
good balanced seed. Soft egg food if you have time or dry premium avian
egg and biscuit food if you don't. Oyster shell and charcoal supplement.
The oyster shell provides calcium and iodine. My Gouldians love it. I use
Aristopet 300 gram container if I can get it. I also use Vetafarm's Soluvet
Liquid Vitamins in the water which also has iodine. Plenty of sunshine if possible
too.
This is the time I least disturb the colony as it is a period of high
stress. They love to sit quietly with all the young male juveniles practising their
singing as the hens patiently sit watching.
PERCHED ON ONE LEG?
Don't panic. This is a sight to behold. It means your Gouldian is happy and healthy.
BACK TO TOPDAILY OBSERVATION.
Try and observe your finches daily, even if it is for only five minutes.
You will get to know their individual habits. This will help you identify
any health problems if they occur.
If you notice a sick finch, one
that is sleepy, head tucked under the wing, puffed up and rocking, or appears to
have lost body weight, act quickly and remove it from the colony for treatment in a
Hospital Cage and then quarrantine it in a holding cage!
POND WATER.
Each weekend I remove the 16 litres of water from the rock pool pond. This is
done using a small glass beaker and then a sponge to remove the remaining small amount of water.
The pond pump is then placed in a bucket of warm water for about 10-15 minutes that
has bleach added to it. I use to measure the bleach at about one part bleach to
ten parts water but now I just guess by pouring it in. I remove the small
sponge filter and soak that too. Afterwards I clean the filter sponge by jet
spraying it up close with the garden hose.
I then replenish 16 litres of water from the tap and add 8 ml of Vetafarm's
Aviclens. The pond pump is set on a timer or I can override it manually for
whatever reason. The whole process only takes about 20 minutes but boy,
those weekends come around quickly!