If we don't have the bird for you at this time, please visit Alpine Price at The Gouldian Lady.  Alpine is also a participating member of the Save the Gouldian Fund, and her clients include the Houston Zoo.  Alpine breeds indoors using very similar practices to ours, and we have had very good results when buying birds from her to freshen our genetics.  Alpine is located in the Houston area, and ships nationally.

 

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Lady Gouldian Finch Nutrition Made Easy!

 

One of the most frequent questions that we are asked is how to feed a Lady Gouldian Finch to maintain health and breeding vitality.  And many of the questions we get regarding health and breeding problems arise from poor nutrition.

 

Here is the diet and nutrition program we use at Fabulous Finch.  The foundation of our nutritional strategy is to allow our birds to "forage."  This is very important, as your birds know best what their body needs.  We present them with a variety of nutritionally rich foods to allow them some freedom of choice regarding their diet (as they have in nature).

 

Your Gouldians will have to learn how to eat healthfully.  It takes a finch about 3 months to typically accept a new food.  You must be consistent, and keep new food offerings fresh to attract your bird's interest.  Initially, your Gouldians will likely ignore your new offerings.  But over time you will see nibbling at first, and then complete acceptance as they discover and crave your nutritionally rich offerings. You will also find that during different times of the year, your Gouldian will eat different parts of your offerings more heavily than at other times of the year.  That is his or her body telling them what it needs.

 

 

Water Schedule - Fresh Daily

Sun:    Fresh Water

Mon:   Sweet Water (Vetafarm Australia)

Tue:    Sweet Water (Vetafarm Australia)

Wed:   Fresh Water

Thu:    Sparkle (Morning Bird Products)

Fri:      Sparkle (Morning Bird Products)

Sat:     Fresh Water

 

 

Breeding and Molting Season Diet

Seed (Fresh Daily or Constant Supply Provided by Seed Hopper):

Birds R US Gouldian Pro ^TM Australian Grassfinch Seed "Breeding & Moulting Season Blend"

 

Food Supplements (Offered fresh daily):

Mike Fidler's Complete Soft Food mixed with Birds R US Black & White Sprouting Mixes

 

Food Supplements (Offered continuously in foraging bowls):

Twin Beaks Aviary "Herb Salad"

ABBA Premium Mineral Grit

 

 

Resting Season and Maintenance Diet for non-Breeding Birds

Seed (Fresh Daily or Constant Supply Provided by Seed Hopper):

Birds R US Gouldian Pro ^TM Australian Grassfinch Seed "Maintenance & Resting Season Blend"

 

Food Supplements (Offered twice a week):

Mike Fidler's Complete Soft Food mixed with Birds R US Black & White Sprouting Mixes

 

Food Supplements (Offered continuously in foraging bowls):

Twin Beaks Aviary "Herb Salad"

ABBA Premium Mineral Grit

 

 

Austere Diet Period (Use for 2 weeks immediately following the breeding season to help induce the molt, and 3 to 6 weeks prior to the breeding season to rest the reproductive organs).

 

Seed (Fresh Daily or Constant Supply Provided by Seed Hopper):

Birds R US Gouldian Pro ^TM Australian Grassfinch Seed "Austere Diet Blend"

 

Nothing else in the cage during the Austere Diet Period - No Soft Food, Sprouted Seed, Calcium Grit, Vitamins, Fruits, Veggies, or Greens

 

 

Summary

A healthy finch doesn't eat much, relatively speaking.  The trick is variety, not volume.  You will find that the above ingredients will last you a very long time.  Good nutrition for Gouldians doesn't have to be hard, and this is one program that works!

 

P.S.  Don't forget a cuttlebone.  They are something fun to do, and an additional source of calcium!