Gouldian pairs cheating!

[Reubenvg]

Hi,
I have 2 pairs of Gouldians in a small aviary and they breed quite well. They are both on there second clutch. The first pair is both Green (The pair in my avatar pic) and the other pair Yellows.

The first around of baby's were as you'd expect Greens had 2 Green babys and Yellows had 2 Yellow baby's.

This time thou I was quite surprised when I checked the Greens nest today and they have 4 Yellow baby's about to leave the next. The green pair seemed very happy always sleep in box together or now outside together that the young are bigger, they both fed baby's ect but I've fairly certain the 4 yellow baby's are not the male greens.

Is this very common ? I've noticed that the Yellow male appears to be the head male in the aviary now as he will shoo the other male away from food etc when he wants to.

It unfortunately makes my breeding plans a little harder now and I've had to double ring all the new yellows so I can tell the difference from there half brothers / sisters.

THanks

[gomer]

Recent studies have shown that,In a colony setup there will be one dominant male.Who will mate or try to with as many hens as he can in the avairy.And let the other cocks raise his offspring.As he will raise one aswell.So really the best way to house them for that reason,If you want to keep track off the parents is single pairs per avairy.

Down load this program.Gouldian genectic forcaster.And have a play with it,good to tell you what you get mixing different mutes.
http://www.enchantedfinch.com/links.htm

[Reubenvg]

Thanks!

Yea I've just setup 3 600 x 900 breeding cages but thought once a pair was together I could get away with a few pairs in an aviary! Worked out well thou as now I have heaps more yellow babies than greens

[Mickp]

certainly cant complain about that result