Aussie Finch Forum

Hi All,

I'm not sure of the sex of these two birds. One day I'm convinced they're hens and the next day cocks. Not very good photos I'm afraid.

What do you think?

And, are they both Euro Yellows? Would the one with the purple breast be a blackhead? Her/his head is a tiny bit greyer than the rest of his/her body.

Thanks,

Adam.

Both cock birds i think

adamj wrote:Hi All,

I'm not sure of the sex of these two birds. One day I'm convinced they're hens and the next day cocks. Not very good photos I'm afraid.

What do you think?

And, are they both Euro Yellows? Would the one with the purple breast be a blackhead? Her/his head is a tiny bit greyer than the rest of his/her body.

Thanks,

Adam.

Gouldians May 2013 407 (640x480).jpg

Gouldians May 2013 413 (640x480).jpg

Gouldians May 2013 391 (640x480).jpg

I would say all cocks and yes Euro yellows and yes it is a black head.
Thats a lot of canary seed you are feeding there,i think it is a canary mix which is not good for gouldians health wise. Craig

Both cocks, have seen BH change the purple to a bluish colour before and that is then more pronounced in the cocks.

The belly is the giveaway, both have too much colour for a hen.

I suspect the YH is a SF bird, the WB makes them go a paler colour on the back than a PB SF and it's still quite dark in comparison to other WB DF birds I've had / seen.

Hi All and thanks for your input.

Craig, I use a finch mix and add extra canary. I read somewhere that it was good for them and they love it. Should I cut it back a bit?

Aj

natamambo wrote:Both cocks, have seen BH change the purple to a bluish colour before and that is then more pronounced in the cocks.

The belly is the giveaway, both have too much colour for a hen.

I suspect the YH is a SF bird, the WB makes them go a paler colour on the back than a PB SF and it's still quite dark in comparison to other WB DF birds I've had / seen.

Thanks natamambo,

So...do I have a YH WB SF and a BH PB DF? (I'm just learning the lingo!)

adamj wrote:Hi All and thanks for your input.

Craig, I use a finch mix and add extra canary. I read somewhere that it was good for them and they love it. Should I cut it back a bit?

Aj

At this time of the year it is good for them as it helps to warm the blood but with that much,they will only eat the canary seed and could grow fat, to fat to want to breed.I would cut back to at least one third that, so when it's eaten they will have to eat the other seeds. IMO,i would double the white french millet rather than the canary. Cheers Craig

crocnshas wrote:

adamj wrote:Hi All and thanks for your input.

Craig, I use a finch mix and add extra canary. I read somewhere that it was good for them and they love it. Should I cut it back a bit?

Aj

At this time of the year it is good for them as it helps to warm the blood but with that much,they will only eat the canary seed and could grow fat, to fat to want to breed.I would cut back to at least one third that, so when it's eaten they will have to eat the other seeds. IMO,i would double the white french millet rather than the canary. Cheers Craig

Thanks for that Craig. Some of them are looking a little tubby!

I believe so Adam, but breeding resuts is the only way to know for the WB. Pair with a normal hen, any normal daughters (50% on average will be normals) will prove he's a SF. Any normal sons likewise (again 50%). If you use a PB hen that will make the SF more obvious in the male offspring as they are generally close to normal in back colour.

I certainly would not be cutting back canary seed during the breeding season. Its the time it should be increased if anything. Check crop contents of young - mostly canary seed when they have a good mix. Colder weather at this time of year also warrants extra canary seed which is the clear preference of Gouldians. During the non-breeding season I agree that too much canary seed can contribute unwanted body fat, but now is the very time that extra is needed.