Meadowlark Farms
Lady Gouldian Finches - Tips & Tricks
Ever wish someone would tell you everything you need to know when
you're first starting out so that you don't have to learn through trial and
error?

Check this area regularly for new tips and tricks to make raising your
birds easier!
Ask your bird owner friends
how they care for their
birds.  Networking with your
buddies is always an easy
way to get great information!
QUICK TIP
Hosting by Yahoo! Web Hosting
Australian Museum
Online:

Fact Sheet about the
Gouldian Finch from
folks who live with them
in their natural habitat!
LadyGouldian.com

In my opinion, the best
site  to find information,
health tips, supplies,
and support for
Gouldian care.

Everything you need to
successfully raise your
Finch is here.
Finchworld.com

Information on nearly
every kind of finch you
can imagine!
Gouldian Association
101 Genetics

Discuss color
combinations, how to
get them, preservation
of natural colors, and
more!
The Country Roost

Excellent prices on
cages and accessories.

  •  Get your cage paper supply from your local paperboy!  They usually have some left-over
    papers or inserts and are more than happy to be rid of them!

  •  Use the quarter car wash to blast your cages clean!

  •  If you don't have the time to sprout your own seeds, purchase "sprouts" from your local
    fruit market or grocery store.  Just be sure to wash and dry them thoroughly, then store
    them in the refrigerator.

  •  Use a putty knife to scrape poop off of cages before wiping them clean.

  •  Twice a week, add 1 drop (small drop using eye-dropper) bleach to every 4 oz of water.  
    This can prevent and kill any bacteria that may build up in your bird's water source AND, in
    my experience, has been a good way to stop parasites and other health issues in their
    tracks!

  •  Use clean dryer lint as nesting material!

  •  Layer paper in the cage bottom over the grates to minimize clean up.  If you place 4 or 5
    layers, you can then remove the top soiled layer when cleaning the cage!
OTHER GREAT IDEAS!!
Start your birds on eggfood early - several months before breeding season - so that they
will feed the mixture to their chicks!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT - FROM MY QUICK TIPS
To photograph your birds, build a small cage with wooden sides and a sliding Plexiglas
front.  Paint the inside back white and add some natural perches.  Use a bright light to
highlight your birds well, then click away!  OR, set up a perch on a small stand, place it in a
small aquarium with a wire cage top, cover the back with light colored paper and click away!
When purchasing a bird, ask the seller if you may see where the bird has been raised.  If
the aviary or bird area is clean and free of clutter and bad odors, chances are the bird will
be healthy.  If the seller will not allow you see the area, there may be a reason!  Think
twice before purchasing a bird from this seller!
When purchasing a new water dispenser, be sure it is the correct type for your style of
cage!  It is very frustrating to come home with a new dispenser only to find it won't fit
through the cage bars!
When placing live or natural branches in the cage, wash them thoroughly before use.  
Attach them to the cage with a clothespin or cuttlebone clip.  This will allow the branch to  
dangle and sway.  Your bird will love the natural motion of the perch as it flits from branch
to branch!
Keep a small cage, heat source, thermometer, and Pedialyte on hand in case of illness in
your birds.  Your quick actions in getting the bird warm and hydrated could save it's life!
When placing cuttlebone in the cage, break it into smaller pieces so that when your birds
use the cuttlebone as a perch, their droppings don't foul it.  You can then replace the
cuttlebone without having wasted a whole piece!

Or, shave the cuttlebone with a cheese grater and place it in a treat dish.  The makes for
less waste.  You can also use a blender or food processor to grind it up.
See this link for what to look for when purchasing your birds!
What I do to make my cage cleaning chores easier!
Information about what I've tried and how I'm set up!  Use this information to help you decide
where and how to set up your own bird room.
Tips on how to choose an Avian Veterinarian and where to find them!
Wooden or plastic clothespins can be a great asset in the bird room - get a pack from the
Dollar Store and instead of washing them, simply throw them away when they become
soiled or damaged!