I am a scientist who has always been fascinated by Gouldian finches. Since the colors of their feathers in different areas of their bodies are inherited independently of each other, the breeding of these beautiful birds is a fascinating adventure in genetics. Breeding to produce a particular color requires an understanding of the genetics as well as method of inheritance of that color. That requires the keeping of accurate records, and any buyer of my birds may have a pedigree indicating the colors of at least the bird's parents and grandparents.
I purchased three pairs of Gouldian finches to start my breeding colony in 1998. Since then, I have added a number of pairs from other sources to add genetic diversity to my colony. All of my baby Gouldians are close banded to indicate the hatch year and bird number.
Because some Gouldian finches are poor parents, especially when young, I also maintain a colony of Bengalese finches to assist in raising the baby Gouldians. These Bengalese finches are excellent foster parents. They are also delightful birds in their own right, and they would be ideal for anyone seeking an inexpensive entry into the world of finch ownership.
I am dedicated to producing strong, healthy birds raised with access to a variety of fresh foods. In addition to high quality finch seed, I supply all of my birds with fresh greens from my garden, sprouts of various kinds, grated carrots, and fresh hard-boiled eggs, supplemented with vitamins and probiotics. I raise much of my own millet for feeding as millet spray. I also routinely avoid the use of preservatives in the water or antibiotics. As a result, my finches will accept many different types of good foods that may be offered to them in their new homes.
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| Gouldian Finches | Bengalese Finches |
You can learn much more about finches by visiting the National Finch & Softbill Society. A wealth of information about finches can be found at The Finch Niche. For a great source of finch links and information, go to Littlebirds Pages on the Gouldian Finch. Useful insights on the operation of successful finch aviaries can be found at Finchaviary.com and at Ladybirdfinches.com.