Aussie Finch Forum

I have one pair of Gouldians and this is their first year / time breeding. They raised four chicks - but two of the four have a deformed foot ( with the back toe sitting forward up under the front ones. They look uncomfortable but feed and fly without difficulty. Does anyone think that inbreeding could lead to this type of problem?? I didnt think they were related but canno be sure. I wont breed from them again just in case.

Hi Suerus,

not sure if its a inbreeding thing, could it be possible that they were just bent under whist in the nest??

Jarryd

Hi Sue , i will have to say the same as Jarryd as being in the nest.

I have 3 bengalese with deformed feet that all came from the same nest. Obviously this is a genetic problem, so I never mated that pair again.

I'm not sure what type of problems other than infertility can come from inbreeding, but if it was me, I would split the pair up to eliminate inbreeding as being the cause of the problem. If once mated to other mates, you find the same problem occur, I would be getting rid of the culprit.

Thanks for your replies
I dont think it is a genetic problem as such as they are from stock that I have bred and I have never had the problem with other birds - I think I have just lost track of who is related to who and they may be too closely related
Any way - I will split them up
Thanks again

Do they have any other signs of deformities.Eg crusty,scaly,warts,growths or infections on their feet.Do they get plenty of calcium and minerals?Are the perches of correct diameter etc.
If they have no other deformities and get plenty of calcium and good diet.then you would have to look at genetics.If it is genectics then the best thing to do would be split the pair up and breed with a unrelated bird and see what happens.

im rather new at breeding.

let me explain this......

i had a pair of Zebras they had four eggs all hatched but they then tossed two out of the nest but then they died. so two stayed and grew then the mother died and the son flew away so that then leaves the father and daugther and i checked the nest and they have four eggs i candled them and they are fertile.

WHAT DO I DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! helpppp please

If you assume that the original pair were totally unrelated, then not too much damage has been done with this one 'slip up". However I would move them into separate cages after they raise the babies to stop it happening again.

I know that in the show dog world this type of mating does take place. Was into the dog world for over 20 years, in two countries.
I preferred to keep to 'line breeding" as this can produce a "type" without the associated risks of inbreeding.

In dogs this type of inbreeding can lead to the most spectacular looking offspring, but when mated the offspring only ever produces average looking babies. So there was nothing to be gained.

It can also lead to deformed offspring. or snappy, nervous animals. Once something like that gets into a line it can be impossible to get rid of it. Something to be avoided at all costs.

If you decide to keep any of the babies it would be best to pair them up with birds from a totally different source to the original pair, that way with this 'outcross' you have dramatically widened your genetic pool and lessened the chance of problems further down the track.

I would enjoy the new arrivals.and be happy you had a pair to breed on with.I think there is nothing wrong with inline breeding,if you have traits thats complimant each other.But would not continally do this,And would get unrelated partners as soon as posible,As the birds you have may or maynot have been inbreed for years.

The healthyer the parents the less the problem. Breeding related birds, intentionally or otherwise, is the fastest way to bring out the best and worst traits. I frequently breed halfbrothers and sisters. WHEN I know that their parents were unrelated, and of healthy stock. If I get a weak or deformed baby I make a note to completly outcross from then on. This is a very effective way to establish a new mutation. Most zebs are tough little birds, less so with gouldians.
But as others have already said. Make sure you get unrelated mates for these babys.
Don't sweat what you can't change.
LML