First time young

[Masterfincher]

Hi, I'm a new member this week and would like to know a couple of things I couldn't find from reading through the forum. Any help/comments would be appreciated.
1. I have a dozen young Gouldians - about 5 months old and just starting to colour up. At what age will they start breeding?
2. My RH Stars have 3 or 4 young in the nest, due out within a week - these are the first Stars I have bred. Anything to look out for?
3. As mentioned in my 'Introduce yourself' post, I have 2 young Cubans out about a week ago, and 3 young Ruddies out about 3 weeks ago - I know to watch the Cubans, but what about the Ruddies? And any perceived problems having the 3 types of young together for a while?

Looking forward to some replies, thanks, Jason

[Tiaris]

Sounds like your finches are going well.
The Gouldians will moult through their mature plumage over the next few months & should be ready to breed from by the start of next season (Jan/Feb)
I wouldn't touch the Stars nest as the parents can be very sensitive to interference & the young may fledge prematurely if disturbed. This could jeopardise their survival as the nights are still on the cool side.
The mix of species you have should be fine together. May need to just keep an eye on the Cuban male for aggression as his young reach independence. If any chasing/aggression noticed, catch out the young ASAP.
Good luck.

[finchbreeder]

Sounds like you are doing everything right. Do you have a holding avairy/cage. For the spare young you intend to sell off or just keep for emergancy stock to go into?
LML

[Masterfincher]

Hi, yep, I have a holding aviary with young gouldians in at present, but there is still plenty of room for more birds to fit in with them. My young Ruddies/Cubans/Stars/whatever else comes along will all go to the holding aviary until I decide what to keep for stock or sell. I only like to keep 4-6 of each type in my main aviary as I can't easily keep track of each bird otherwise.
What age is the earliest to remove young from their parents without ill effects?

[finches247]

I leave most young with parents for at least a month or until parents don't want them around.

[steve]

Masterfincher, how big is your main cage?

[Masterfincher]

It goes around 2 sides of my shed, one part about 5 x 1.5 x 2 metres high, into the other about 3x3x2 metres high.

[finchbreeder]

With an avairy that size. If you ring the young as soon as they leave the nest. Could be difficult to catch later in an avairy that size. You could safely leave for 2 months to be extra sure they are weaned right.
LML

[Masterfincher]

great, thanks for the info