Interesting theory - sexing young before molt?

[FinchFan]

I had an interesting chat with the local pet shop owner. He used to have and breed Gouldians. I mentioned that i have several young. He said to pull a couple of breast feathers out of a young bird, and when the feather grows back, it will grow back as an adults, showing whether it is either a male or female. Sounds plausible?

[Jayburd]

yep, that's true - many people I know do it with about a 97% chance of correctness

[finchbreeder]

It works but as buying or selling uncoloured birds is generally a no-no, there are only occasional times when there is any point.
LML

[Diane]

Yes I have heard this works too, but I couldnt do that to a young bird Going through the moult is stressful time for them, then if we start chasing them around the aviary and catching them and plucking feathers I would think you could end up with several dead gouldians that you know the sex of.

[BENSONSAN]

Ive got young ones at the moment and two of them are bouncing up a down on the perch and singing and fluffing up at there mother lol. I think i know what sex those 2 are! Only reliable tho if i catch them doing it otherwise its to hard to tell whos who.

Ben

[finchbreeder]

Put different colour rings on them and observe.
LML