My first lot of youngsters (born March 2013 from 2 different pairs) are finally coloring up and I will be choosing some of them to keep for breeding and I obviously would like to keep the best. My birds are kept outdoors in a main breeding aviary, with a smaller holding flight for the juvies. I lost 3 of my 4 adults going into winter, as they were indoor bred and did not appreciate the colder weather, despite me closing off the aviaries from all drafts and adding heat lamps. The juvies in the smaller flight pulled through winter like pro's, without added heat. I am hoping to build stronger outdoor lines with these young and purchase some new blood from outdoor bred lines.
What points do you look for besides intensity of colour in the males and hens? I personaly prefer the chunky, solid build Gouldians compared to the more sleek looking birds. Is this correct for the breed standard or is it purely based on individual opinion?
Any other tips when choosing young birds is appreciated.
What to look for when choosing Gouldians?
-
finches247
- ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
- Posts: 2546
- Joined: 04 May 2011, 20:16
- Location: Whangarei Northland New Zealand
Other than good colour I also look for good posture and a nice longish tail with 2 barbs at end.
-
BOF33
- ...............................
- Posts: 219
- Joined: 08 Dec 2011, 23:30
- Location: Melbourne Australia
For me its a personal thing. I have some normals that are "big" compared to some of my mutations. But I already know what Im looking for in what I intend to keep for the next breeding season.Is this correct for the breed standard or is it purely based on individual opinion?
Finches247 is spot on in regards to this advice. Other than that, Colour, tight feathers and some consistency in these features is what I look out for.a nice longish tail with 2 barbs at end
-
Tiaris
- ...............................
- Posts: 3517
- Joined: 23 Apr 2011, 08:48
- Location: Coffs Harbour
Rox,
I too like the "chunkier" Gouldians. I prefer chunkiness in the head, neck & chest and a smooth taper thereafter all the way to the tip of the tail.
Darkness of the yellow & purple is also one of my key selection points.
I too like the "chunkier" Gouldians. I prefer chunkiness in the head, neck & chest and a smooth taper thereafter all the way to the tip of the tail.
Darkness of the yellow & purple is also one of my key selection points.
-
Rox
- ...............................
- Posts: 52
- Joined: 15 Oct 2013, 07:15
- Location: Western Cape South Arica
Thank you so much for the replies!!
Will a hen also have 2 barbs on the tail or only the male? Neither of my previous 2 hens had barbs.
With regards to posture, do you mean a bird that has a more upright or 'proud' stance? This is what I have been looking at, especially when the males sing.
Noted to look for the darkness of the purple and yellow and I will now look for tightness of feather. I honestly didn't think of this before but now that it has been pointed out, it makes perfect sense!
I'm glad to see that it does come down to personal preference as well. To my very inexperienced eye, the gouldian that stands out to me is one who has a proud, upright stance, with a bright and alert eye. The bird must have a chunky head, chest and body but the line from the head flowing down the back through to the tail should be smooth and flowing. The lines of colour should be clean and uninterupted.
Sadly, out of the 9 juvies I have, I honestly think I will only be keeping perhaps 3 and I will be looking for outside lines to make up the pairs. I can already see which ones are 'wow' compared to the others. Well, to me anyways
Will a hen also have 2 barbs on the tail or only the male? Neither of my previous 2 hens had barbs.
With regards to posture, do you mean a bird that has a more upright or 'proud' stance? This is what I have been looking at, especially when the males sing.
Noted to look for the darkness of the purple and yellow and I will now look for tightness of feather. I honestly didn't think of this before but now that it has been pointed out, it makes perfect sense!
I'm glad to see that it does come down to personal preference as well. To my very inexperienced eye, the gouldian that stands out to me is one who has a proud, upright stance, with a bright and alert eye. The bird must have a chunky head, chest and body but the line from the head flowing down the back through to the tail should be smooth and flowing. The lines of colour should be clean and uninterupted.
Sadly, out of the 9 juvies I have, I honestly think I will only be keeping perhaps 3 and I will be looking for outside lines to make up the pairs. I can already see which ones are 'wow' compared to the others. Well, to me anyways