How young is too young?

01 Sep 2011, 20:06

A gouldian male, who was born in February this year, appears to have mated with his mother and now a baby has hatched.
The father hasn't coloured up himself yet but he is taking his responsibilities for feeding the youngster seriosly and the baby is thriving. Does anyone think I should have intervened until he's older? Also will interbreeding be a problem? Thanks

01 Sep 2011, 20:29

Not uncommon for uncoloured Goulds to breed, He is only half blood to his mother, not a good practise to let happen but accidents do happen at times.

01 Sep 2011, 20:35

Its not an ideal situation but that's neither here nor there now ... I guess making sure it doesn't happen again and removing related birds is what I would be doing next .

Don't know what you would do with the young in terms of breeding again another guess would be to throw in some fresh blood and outbreed them till the bloodline is mixed again .

Is he too young ? Obviously not . I think if it were a very young hen I would be more concerned .

The boy is certainly going to be a good little breeder

As said accidents happen .

01 Sep 2011, 20:37

Thats interesting, I have a similar issue. I'm only new to breeding finches this year and have started with gouldians. My seven pair produced 83 young this season. I have them in a couple of aviaries which both had one nest in each. Both nests have young uncoloured pairs sitting on eggs.

Also I did not separate the adult birds I just took the nest boxes from the aviary. Last week I noticed 2 pairs of gouldians have built there own nests on the floor at the edge of some structure I have for my quail.

Is it normal for the young to want to breed so early, and for adults to nest on the floor when there is no boxes for them?

01 Sep 2011, 20:39

Where there's a will there's a way ...

01 Sep 2011, 20:40

biggerbills wrote:Is it normal for the young to want to breed so early, and for adults to nest on the floor when there is no boxes for them?

Sounds like the are happy n healthy little inmates

01 Sep 2011, 20:43

biggerbills wrote:. My seven pair produced 83 young this season.

WOW!! That's a lot of young.

01 Sep 2011, 20:45

They're much easier and less hassle than breeding coloured canaries!! (most likely beginners luck)

01 Sep 2011, 20:46

Thats 11.857142 babies each pair ( averages )according to my trusty calculator...... yep wow very good little breeders .

01 Sep 2011, 20:48

jusdeb wrote:Thats 11.857142 babies each pair ( averages )according to my trusty calculator...... yep wow very good little breeders .

2 clutches each of 6 or 3 clutches each of 4...pretty good