Gouldian Finches - EJ AVIARY

Greetings :-)

Thank you to all of the men and women who serve in our country's armed forces

Greetings to all  visitors.Easter without chicks?No way! Please let me introduce my newest addition to our large flock.My Golden Girls

 

I watch my birds pretty closely, and always know when a pair is sitting on eggs.

I have a pair that always lets one chick die at fledging.

So the only "tweeting" going on happens in our bird rooms, but we HAVE finally created a page on Facebook!

Bird lovers MUST SEE this!

Good morning all from rainy Alexandria, Virginia

Just to add fuel to the debate of parent-raised versus fostered gouldians........

Sometimes it seems as if I have chicks in every nest, and then other times, like now, things seem just a little off.

Because I'm now a great-great-grandmother!

Hi all,

It's been  awhile since I wrote last but you'll understand that I was busy,busy....

It certainly takes some planning to leave town if you have feathered friends you're leaving behind!

Wow, I hadn't realized that it's been so long since we've posted news. So sorry!

Well, I've been out of town on vacation for a week and have both good news and bad news.

 

Sometimes you just get clear eggs and tossed chicks, and sometimes it all seems to come together!

Oh my!  I'll go for months with no chicks in the aviary, then suddenly find them coming out of my ears!  Here's a little aviary news from Hilary's Birds.......

Here they are my lovely puppies Jesse and Jake.  Jesse is a golden retriever - 6 months old and Jake is a labrador retriever - 4 months tomorrow.  We just love them....

Hi to all gouldian finches lovers from cloudy Alexandria,Virginia.  I was "away" for a while and reason was my "puppies"!  Yes, I do have two of them, first dogs ever.  I'll post the photos so you can see these darling creatures.  Here is a photo of Hilary's reef tank (she was hiding it so let's hope she won't mind and will write more about her gorgeous corals).  Sorry Hilary - can't resist .....

I just have to say that it is such a pleasure to send birds home with somebody like Emma!

Handraising a cordon bleu - yes, it can be done!

Because you just never can be absolutely sure about a bird's genetic background, there is always that element of surprise when a new clutch colors up.

Good morning all from sunny Alexandria,Virginia...I was about to write news from the aviary but something else "came up"...


That "something" are these cute hand fed finches photographed and video taped by Rhonda Clark of Michigan (proud owner).

Just thought I'd give you a quick update on the happenings in my aviary!

Hi to all of our finch lovers..  I decided to start a new post with - "What's cooking???" very simple because of our lovely birds and their appetite ...  I do cook quite a lot for my lady gouldians and other finches.....DO YOU??

Chicks, chicks, and more chicks!

Good morning all  from rainy Alexandria Virginia,
Today we are promoting a new website from our fellow breeder Terri...Hope you'll enjoy all these great photos same as I did....Thanks Terri for sharing ♥♥♥
http://www.gouldlady63.blinkz.com/

Probably you've noticed a new photo on the main page so I have to tell that is my gorgeous black headed,purple breasted blue back lady gouldian hen   and she just finished her molt .I think she is beautiful.Her parents are Princess(BH/PB/BB)and Raibow RH/PB/GB dilute both from Carol Aitken aviary..They gave me many great looking babies..

Birdkeeping is rewarding, but also heartbreaking.  I've had some wonderful surprises as well as some disappointments in the last couple of weeks!

Hi all,
Finally a chance to write about my finches...Sorry for being so long absent but I know you'll understand it...I first want to thank Hilary for writing the news in meantime  and sharing tips for successful breeding of lady gouldian finches and also to thank all of you that submitted your story about finches to our contest...

The birds have definitely kept me hopping recently!  Having a number of different species can be challenging in that each has their own requirements, but it makes life so incredibly interesting!

Well, the birds are certainly still busy! Chicks, eggs, new birds….. 

Love is definitely in the air at Hilary's house!

Thought I'd give you an update on my Lady Gouldian and waxbill breeding efforts!

Have you ever been afraid - deep down, secretly in your heart - that all of your plans may go RIGHT? 

'Tis the season - in more ways than one!

Good morning all,
Hope you're set for holidays...New contest story is from far away- Manila Philippines !!!.I enjoyed very much reading it so I hope you will too..Thanks Jr. Christosome for submission and for sharing .....♥♥♥

 Good morning from the white, snow bounded Alexandria,Virginia....I'll write a few tips on breeding lady gouldians because I'm getting so many e-mails regarding it...Seems a hot topic..Isn't it???

When lady gouldian chicks  fledge at the age of three weeks they are dullish olive or grey  color.But after today - I don't think so, they can have a colors...

  We have another winning  contest story and this time it's from warm California!Brendian, I'm so thankful that you've decided to share your love for lady gouldian finches with us.Hope to hear more from you in the future,we love to share...Hope you'll like the bands you won-for your beauties...
Just to ad that Avicam should(I'll pray for it)start today(after many complications we had regarding camera)so check on it....I can't wait to see them "live"...Thanks Brandian again  and here comes the story(unedited)..♥

Where is the respect? 

 Quick news from the aviary and holiday greetings...It'll be a spooky night.....

 It seems that even people who has gouldians for a while are not aware of air sac mites and it's killing effect on gouldian finches..They are definetely killer #1!!!So I decided to say a few words about , again,we can't stop educating ourselves and try to  save these wonderful birds for the future generations..

 I'm always happy when people who got my birds keep in touch.Alex and Rachel sent photos of their birds to share...

Hi all,
It's been a while since I wrote last and thought it's funny that I (gulp)almost every time
 when I'm ready to write about lady gouldian finches.

Magnificent,gorgeous,whimsical...creatures...♥

Well, I was away from my birds for a week, which is always nerve-wracking.  What will I find when I get home?

It's been a month since I wrote the news from the aviary and many things have had happened worth writing about ...

 Here is another winning contest story and I called it Maui lady gouldian finch.Story was submitted today by Katie ,girl with a big heart,great common sense and enormous love for beautiful lady gouldian finches.I really hope that you'll find some time to read it and I promise you'll be glad for doing so.I also added the photos of Maui and Katie aviary so you can see how nice setting she created.
Katie I thank you so much for sending the story,I love it!!!I wish you all best and many,many blue backed gouldians...♥Love/Elvira
And here comes the story......

Finally got a chance to write a little about my birds.Last two weeks weren't "aviary busy" as usually...

Another bird is lost, owner is desperate to find him.  Please help her out if you have any informations.  Thanks

Anybody who keeps or raises Lady Gouldians should be aware of air sac mites and their treatment.  There are several products on the market now, and in my experience some are more effective than others.

Lots of news to report from Hilary's side of the house!  Updates on gouldian pairs, new birds, and more!

I've gone from nobody nesting to everybody getting in the mood!

Good morning from hot Alexandria,Virginia.Even we thought that summer is over temperatures are still high and there is NO RAIN!!!We should all start dancing...

Hi all,
I'm back from Germany and finally (too many things to do)got a chance to write.It was a nice vacation but welcome to reality!My gouldians...mmmmmm...

Anybody who has been around finches has heard the debate - "Grit or no grit?"  I originally thought I'd present both sides, but since I feel the evidence is pretty overwhelming (for me, at least), I'm going to explain why I don't feed "grit" to my finches.

Okay, no chicks but I'm making progress!  I've never had problems getting my Lady Gouldians to breed, but it's been a dry summer in more ways than one!

Good morning all from  cloudy Alexandria , Virginia .It seems that it'll rain today and I have no "objections'.WE really need a rain ...I was bored this morning(I'm on vacation from my real job-sewing)so decided to search an internet and found a few interesting blogs,webshots  on lady gouldians...

 I took some new photos of my  birds and wanted to share with you....

In "aviary"  it's always a  something NEW.My lovely pair of society finches,daddy chiyoda(chest frill) and his mate fawn self show quality hen produced again ONE baby...

  Here is the first story that won a hundred bird leg bands(our contest).I'm publishing it without any editing ..Just wanted to ad the best wishes to Taj and his business,he seems to learn fast and is very serious about finches.If you live in Richmond,Virginia area and looking for zebra or society finches you might want to look for Taj (lajoi_w@yahoo.com )and support  his small business and aviculture...
Way to go,Taj...I can only applaud....

Good morning everyone from steamy Alexandria,Virginia,
Just decided to write a quick update on my birds  before than I have too many news so I might skip some...We don't want to miss anything....Do we?

Good morning,
Surfing the web I've seen so many contests are going on and an idea struck me...Why don't we  have "OUR CONTEST"????

Good evening all,
Reason for tonight's news are "more questions" about lady gouldian finches(I'll try to answer at my best,take it with grain of salt,I'm not a vet or expert  just a humble breeder) and I also wanted to share an aviary  photo from South Carolina.Let's start than....

Well, I don’t have a lot to report in terms of chicks, but I’ve set up several different pairs recently so hopefully I’ll be hearing squeaking in the near future!

Hi all,
On this cloudy  July 27th from Alexandria,Virginia....I keep getting an  e-mails,  from the people I know and I don't know,some I've met when they in past purchased some birds from me and I always try to stay in touch(so I'll know how my birdies are doing),with a questions regarding lady gouldian finches(mostly) so I thought that occassionally isn't bad idea to publish it and answer  so it won't be an individual answer and somebody else might eventually learn something from my personal experience.Please take everything with a grain of salt cause I can't tell anyone how to raise or breed it's own birds.WE are supposed to find our own method that will work for us....I just share my experience I don't teach you how to do it....Here is a letter from R.S. Virginia ....

On this cloudy Monday from Alexandria,Virginia....Little bit of the news from the aviary....

 AS I've already promised "last weekend" I'll write this morning a little bit about leg bands for the birds.....Hope you're all doing fine and having a nice summer....

Well, as you know I moved my mealworm farm out of the bottoms of my waxbill cages (where they were accidentally establishing themselves) and into something more "managed".   So far, so good!

 Good morning everyone from Alexandria,Virginia on this beautiful Saturday(glad Friday the 13th is behind us),75 degrees , ideal temperature for our beloved finches.Wanted to share my present experience about breeding these magnificent creatures...lady gouldian finches....

and they're falling from the sky!

The aviary is busy, but where are all of my chicks?

Hi there,
Is there any day that there is no news in aviary?Hardly....

Hi all,
Just wanted to share "experience " about breeding owl finches....

After a conversation with Murad Ismail from Maryland Exotic Birds (www.marylandexoticbirds.com), I now understand why!

Hi all,
Just to let you know that Hilary and I have a variety of society finches (selfs) available at this time.

Hi all,
from the Alexandria on this hot June day!Whew...but my birds are enjoying this weather,no wonder they are from Australia!Anyway,I was thinking a lot lately about breeding birds and it seems to "be the most important thing! "Isn't it???

Busy, busy, busy - there is always a lot going on in my flock!

Tired of guessing whether that bird is male or female?

 As most of you probably already experienced breeding "birds" might be very challenging....especialy  breeding lady gouldian finches....

 Just wanted to say a few words about "wildlife"....

Okay, I should be better behaved when it comes to birds, but this may have been my only chance!  Really! 

Good morning everyone,
After a long break I'm back to enjoy my birdies.  My husband is recovering but we don't want to brag...

Anybody who has already been to a show or mart knows what I'm talking about.  If you haven't attended one, listen up!

Hi to everyone,
Don't know if you've noticed but I wasn't writing any news for a while.  Reason was my husband's illnes but I'm very HAPPY to announce that my husband finally got a new liver....

The Baltimore Bird Fanciers will be hosting their Spring Bird Mart and Finch Show on May 19th.

If you breed birds long enough, you'll eventually get a "special" chick.  That's Bumble!

I'm having a small population explosion in one of my nests!

I love it when a gould pair hits it off!  After several different new pairings, none of which produced anything more than indifference, I finally put together a pair that really likes each other!

Calcium is an important part of your finch's diet - are your birds getting what they need?

 Hi everyone!Unusual title but it's actual how the happy customer from SC started her e-mail to me  a couple of days ago.She was here two weeks ago and bought five beautiful lady gouldian finches  and four society finches.Her first birds!But not the "last" because she bought some more from the breeder she found localy.I knew it because they are as a "popcorn" you just can't stop.I want this mutation,want that and soon they are everywhere and mostly in your head(can't stop even thinking about them)...

Good morning everyone,
Just checked visitor stats for the last couple of months and was really surprised....

I decided to write a short article about our gorgeous lady gouldian finches and we can call it "OWNERS MANUAL".
If you're new to lady gouldian finches take a moment and read through the page...

Hi to all,
I would like to say a few words about a yahoo group that tracks down leg bands and I believe that many don't know of it so I'm just trying to help and spread the word...

Good morning everyone,
Yesterday was "busy" day.  I've prepeared an egg food for my finches and of course decided to share it with you....
Easter time and eggs everywhere...

 I had request to send a photos of lady gouldian silver back hen and decided to share them  with all of you.I think she is adorable,never had such a pure white silver bird.No single greyish spot on her,great tail and sleek appearance..Enjoy....

To all of you who are reading our news and celebrating coming holiday-Happy Easter!In aviary...

 Just wanted to say a few words about choosing finch seed .I feed all my finches with ABBA 1900 for a couple of years now.I'm very pleased with a  seed mix so I will continue to use it as a diet for my lady gouldians,owl and society finches.

Regarding lady gouldian finches  for sale I've posted a note on the available bird  page.Just wanted to add a few words about...

 Good morning to everyone.  As of today I choose to talk about aviculturist Linda Dulak,she might be know to many of you because of her long expertise in breeding lady gouldian finches.With Linda's permission I've pasted some parts from her website
www.delmarvagouldianfinches.com, that might be very helpful in raising our magnificent beauties, lady gouldian finches.  If you're interested in reading more please visit Linda's website and look for finch ifo page.
Thanks Linda for sharing all this info with us....

First the bad news.  My cbs that were nesting so diligently were sitting on clear eggs.  At least it was a very good practice session!  The good news is that they managed to do something I've been too lazy to do myself - start a mealworm farm!

 Just decided to write a few words about lady gouldian mutations and abbreviation commonly used....

Oh boy - everybody keep your fingers crossed!  My blue cap cordon bleus are past their hatching date and are still devotedly tending to their nest....

Good morning everyone,
Today I've decided to write about Lady Gouldian Canada.  Extraordinary website to visit and check all lady gouldian merchandise...

Good morning from rainy Alexandria...Time to write some news from the aviary...

As Elvira would say, "Oh my!"  I have five nests full of chicks right now!  That's a lot of eggfood to remember in the morning.....

So many choices for such a basic food!  It's such a great source of protein, so I always provide fresh eggfood for both molting birds and those feeding nestlings.

 Just wanted to share the link to great video of lady gouldian courtship dance.I found it  at ..

A matter of interest to everybody who keeps birds is "what do YOUR birds eat?"

For today I've decided to write a few words about old time home remedy-Apple Cider Vinegar

I wasn't kidding when I said chicks were everywhere!

  Good morning all,
It seems that I have to write more and more about society finches,reason is simple,they are irresistible...

Wow!  I went from "boy, I want some new chicks" to "boy, I'm getting a LOT of new chicks"!

It may be cold outside, but the birds don't seem to have noticed.....

Good morning to all,
For today I've decided to write about society finches.Beside being popular as a "fosters"these birds deserve more attention to their beauty....

Good morning everyone from the snow bounded Alexandria,Virginia....

I want chicks!

Thought I'd write a little about how I keep my button quail. 

Good morning to everyone,
Last evening  was quite an interesting I was working on solving the puzzle....

My dear lady gouldians...Today , my  proven pair of lady gouldians ,chicks fledged and of course I was about to take their nest out....

 It seems that I didn't listed other species of birds I own beside lady gouldian finches  and society finches....

Believe it or not, the shy chicks have fledged first!

 Just checked  all  the nest of the pairs in breeding and.... 

as well as the other Foster chicks!

There is absolutely nothing cuter in the world than a button quail chick! 

Buttons are arriving right on schedule!

I'm not the most patient person, and the hardest thing for me to do is to wait for eggs to hatch.

Good morning,
Everything is white this morning,temperatures 32 degrees,first snow this winter in Washington DC metro area...Temperature in aviary 64,all birds are still asleep.Have to go out and clean the steps and the street.Yesterday I checked Bob and ....

Swee hen seems to have recovered from my mistreatment - little girl was back in her nest tending to her eggs today.

Oh, I’m kicking myself!

Good morning,

I started this morning boiling an eggs for my birds(120+)at least for the 15 minutes to kill all bacterias- (you don’t want your birds to be sick,don’t you???).

Boby and Ellen(lady gouldian finches)are in a second year of breeding and this time their babies are hatching in aviary.

Ok, I’ve already learned my first lesson with the incubator. 

Hi, I’m Hilary, and I’m a birdaholic.    

It’s been along time since I wrote but Hilary was doing great job in meantime.

It’s a funny thing about lady gouldian  chicks. 

Just wanted to give a couple of updates. 

No news on the quail eggs, other than that no other eggs have burst (thank goodness). 

I started the process to adopt a white ringneck dove from the local animal shelter a month ago, and finally got to bring him home today. 

Oh, the disappointment. 

Very good site to check and find local breeders for any birds!!!

My house is full of  gouldian finches chicks! 

Hi to everyone!

Welcome!  I’m Hilary, the other finch fanatic. 

Hey Everybody! This is a new blog me (Elvira) and Hilary, my friend, decided to start. We will mostly talk about our ☺BIRDIES☺...especially about lady gouldian finches....