Angel Wings Aviary - Find Your Wings

Seed:
I use a special blend of seed with almost 20 different millets and various fruit and herb seed that my birds devour. I do not have the complete list, but the ones that I recognize, besides various millets, are several fruit seed, such as apple and grape, barley, wheat, hemp, and several others rich in protein, vitamins, calcium, and carbohydrates. I have no waste, not even one kind of seed is disliked by Gouldians. The seed is called, Nibble Nest.

Herb Salad:
This is a blend of 22 herbs that strengthens the immune system and makes for a shinier, healthier bird. There are multiple medicinal herbs in the mix that help the birds to self medicate if they have any sort of problems. Spirulina and powder kelp help with color and molt and infertility issues.

Dried Egg Food:
Such as Feast, is a popular item in my aviary. All powdered and liquid supplements can be added to the egg food.

I just switched completely to Dr. Rob Marshall products. The birds are showing a noticable difference. In addition, they are gobbeling up anything prepared with these supplements. They are thriving and I'm happy. I will report any long term effects as it becomes available.

Water:
I run my water thru the Brita pitchers to get the hard elements out, and then add Citric acid solutions such as Mega Mix to the water. Once a week I use KD powder in the water and bath dishes. This protocoI will eliminate all bacteria from growing, and corrects the PH ballance. I change water once or twice daily.

Vitamins and minerals:
The 2 vitamin and mineral solutions in Dr. Marshall's products, Loford and Dufo, are used in the water for 2 consecutive days each week. Mega Mix is safe to be added at the same time. I love the fact that I don't have to guess the Iron and Iodine level anymore. These minerals are desperately needed by Gouldians for breeding, molting, and feather conditions, however, they do get stored and cause overdose and liver damage. These supplements have the correct amount of all different vitamins and supplements needed, without the danger of overdosing by mixing different products with a possible trace of each mineral.

Breeding and Molting Supplements:
The breeding and chick rearing time is the hardest time on the birds. The same thing is applicable during the molt, especially the jouvenial molt. I never liked the idea of using different protocols and supplements for different seasons. Therefore, when I came across these products, which are used during both critical times, they immediately got my attention. Turbo Booster and E-Powder is added to a mixture of germinated seed and egg food and is offered to the breeders, jouvenials, and molting birds. I also soak the spray millets overnight and wrap it in wet paper towel, soaked with megamix for one day. One hour before feeding, I make a small solution of TurboBooster and sprinkle e-powder and NVpowder and let it soak. Since the seeds are germinating at the time, they easily absorb this liquid. I offer this once a week.

Air Sac Mite:
As everyone knows, Gouldians are always in danger of getting the ASM, whether you introduce new birds or not. I treat my birds with “S76” on a regular basis. 2 conecutive days in the water, retreat every week for 3 weeks. 10 weeks off and repeat. New research shows that there is absolutely no danger in treatment with the ivermectin form of S76. Stories of the overdose you may have heard, is more than likely the side effects of the secondary infections. I also add S76 in their bath water during the treatment time. This will get rid of organisms on the skin and feathers, as well. In new birds, I follow up with Amoxitex or Amtyl for 5 days. I read in an NFSS article that in heavy infestation, it takes up to 6 treatments to completely recover from ASM.

Living:
All the non-breeding birds in my aviary are kept in the green house, which is placed on top of a wooden deck above ground. I use play-sand and no grid on the floor of the green house. Gouldians love to play in sand. It also absorbs and dries-out the liquid in the droppings. I remove the top layer of sand and apply bleach spray, before adding new and fresh sand once a week. There is a sub-floor which is completely sealed and treated for rodent and insect control, then covered with a layer of proferated landscaping membrane, which allows for air circulation.
There is a thermostat control for extreme tempratures of above 90 and below 50. The thermostat has plugs connected to a small window AC unit and a utility heater.
Fresh baths and germinated seed is always available though a pump and filter fountain. A dehumidifier controls the humidity level, which is higher than normal in the green house.
This environment is THE perfect living habitat for these birds. They fly long and strong, and develop muscle tone and a vitality which is never accomplished in small cages or indoor facilities. The breeders spend 2 weeks in between each successful clutch in the green house. This will restore their energy and strength and prepare them for the next round.

Well, if you actually read this far, you get a medal from me.

Please note: Use any given suggestions from me or any other breeder with common sense. These are not instructions for bird keeping, but our methods and what have been working for us. Use common sense and keep in mind that we are not doctors or veterinarians, just breeders and keepers of these magnificent creatures and talk from our own experiences.

For more information about the supplements and the exact dosags, please refer to: LadyGouldianFinch.com

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