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Changing Gouldian mates during breeding season

Posted: 27 Feb 2019, 18:42
by Krebsj
Hello everyone
I have a pair of nesting Gouldian finches the male looks to be lacking size and has a narrow build. In an adjacent holding flight I have a better male I should have used. If after the current nesting I swap the males around with the better male in the aviary and the poorer male in the holding cage ( this male would be able to be sighted by the hen, would the hen take up to the new male and hopefully breed?

Re: Changing Gouldian mates during breeding season

Posted: 27 Feb 2019, 20:31
by Shane Gowland
Have never attempted to do this, but given that Gouldian pair bonds aren't particularly strong, it may work. Especially since it's so early in the season.

Re: Changing Gouldian mates during breeding season

Posted: 27 Feb 2019, 23:45
by finchbreeder
No idea, as I haven't tried it. But think of it like this. Do you want lots of chicks from an inferior bird. Or the chance of 1 round from each of 2 different cocks the 2nd of which is better?
LML

Re: Changing Gouldian mates during breeding season

Posted: 28 Feb 2019, 05:46
by garyh
I have found that even if the hen can hear the other cock bird it is very unlikely that she will pair to the new cock bird,cheers garyh

Re: Changing Gouldian mates during breeding season

Posted: 27 Mar 2019, 18:29
by Lachlan1
I know this is late but I completely agree with garyh. I have had mixed results with swapping partners but if they are bonded and are within hearing proximity they will almost certainly not breed.

Re: Changing Gouldian mates during breeding season

Posted: 28 Mar 2019, 06:00
by Tiaris
At this early stage of the season there is nothing to lose by trying it to see if the new pairing can click. If you have a clearly better bird to use I would definitely do it. Far better to make every attempt to breed better young than to just turn out more inferior ones - there are already far too many of them around due to unfocussed pairing choices.