Individuals seeking pets that enjoy being held should probably shy away from the gouldian finch. Gouldian finches should be kept in one or more pairs to satisfy their need for social contact. A minimum flying space of 20 inches is recommended. Cages, either metal or wooden, are the most frequent cost-effective choice for housing gouldian finches. The space between cage bars should never be greater than one-half inch.
Experts report good results when employing box cages which are closed from every side but the front.
Brass cages are not recommended because of potential toxic qualities. Gouldians are easily disrupted by frequent changes in their housing environment or by movement of their cage. Frequent stress can eventually weaken a birds resistance to disease. Gouldian finches must be kept at a temperature of approximately 70 degrees or more fahrenheit. Different authors stress that the humidity level should be maintained at or above 50 percent.