Question: How much did you buy your Gouldians for?

[BirdVice]

Any time I begin a question by saying "Question," I feel like Dwight Schrute from "The Office."

Anyway, I'm just curious and, I live in the U.S., so am not well-versed in foreign exchange rates (unless it's Schrute Dollars!) So, don't be afraid to treat me like a silly American!

[lovemyfinch]

The cheapest I have ever p-aid is $60 CDN. This being a perfect BH WB YB hen. Not really the usual price though. The same day I paid the same amount for a normal cock. The hen was bought by a well known breeder who breeds for quality rather than quantity, and according to all other breeders sells for cut-throat prices He responds to this accusation, by saying that he isn't in it for he money. He also says that anyone who is breeding gouldians for the money is on the losing end of the stick. Take in to consideration how many babies are lost, the cost of feed supplies from birth until the bird is completely feathered. I tend to agree with him, It is a passion, otherwise you lose.
Most greens for for $55 and up. Pastels $120 +, yellows $120 +, blues 120 +, this also depends on the availability and the individual breeder. If you find someone who is downsizing their prices usually drop quite a bit.

[franny]

I'm near Vancouver, in Canada, and I just got my pair a couple of months ago. I paid $90 for a BH-WB-NB hen and $150 for a BH-WB-BB cock. I know I overpaid, especially for the blue ... but to be honest, I don't care! He sings so well, he was worth every penny!

[CandoAviary]

I couldn't agree more with you Janine. I too breed for quality but in doing so many that are not 'perfect' are born. Much like when breeding show dogs, not all pups are going to turn into show quality and are sold for pet quality. I also agree that it is profitable for your soul...but maybe not your pocketbook

The cheapest I have bought has been $35 for silvers and blues. Of course I bought out a retiring breeder and bought all 37 birds I have paid $80 for a beautiful blue in S. Florida, the most I have paid is $125.00 for a yellow back. You can find excellent birds with good conformation without spending a fortune. You just have to know where to look. Many hobby breeders sell their extra offsprings reasonable... mostly they want loving homes. Most businesses on the web and petshop charge higher prices but they aim to make money and also they have more overhead cost. I must admit, I have never charged what I have my birds listed for on the web page. I either have given discounts due to the numbers they bought, sold at bird fairs for a reduced price or just liked the home they were going to ...which was more important than the $$$. I think it's probably time to change that price list page

[franny]

... Most businesses on the web and petshop charge higher prices but they aim to make money and also they have more overhead cost.

For sure! I saw a BH-WB-GB hen for sale in the pet store the week before I got mine at the bird mart. Pet store wanted $169.99 each, for the WB one, and for a normal male!

[BirdVice]

Pet stores here sell them, no matter the coloring, for MINIMUM $119. I was SO excited to find this fantastic, passionate breeder who sells ALL hers, no matter the coloration or sex for $50.

[allicat1229]

$50 is a good price. I have paid on average $45 for normals and $90 for blue/silver.

Candace: where did you shop in S. Florida? If its a good place, I might check them out.

[L in Ontario]

Franny - the normal pricing for blue Gouldians around here is $150 and that's what I sell mine for.

BirdVice - you can also find all kinds of bird pricing in the Marketplace Forum under Bird Prices.

[CandoAviary]

Candace: where did you shop in S. Florida? If its a good place, I might check them out.

The Orlando bird fair. Well that is south for me.... but I guess north for you? There were many vendors but I fould a couple of small hobby breeders there that had some really nice looking birds. It's a large show, do you ever go?

[allicat1229]

I went to the one in West Palm...may have to check that one out. A lot of the breeders down here are in Miami and they are basically bird mills

[ac12]

At the bird marts, normals go for about $60-65, yellow $65-125, blues $150-250 each.
A small local bird shop sells normal pairs for $360 (= $180 ea).

[KoacNation]

I paid $100 for a blue with slight balding on her head, and 70 for a normal split to blue male.

Two months later they have produced 4 blue babies and 1 green with a possible second clutch to begin.

I'm considering trying to sell or trade some of the blues for yellows from another breeder so I have one sex of blues, one sex of yellows and can try to control the incest potential.

I know in gouldian-land blues are worth more, but like others here it is not about the money, I would be happy to make that trade (if I could somehow get specific ones out of the aviary!).

I guess what I am trying to contribute here is that I am also quite flexible when it comes to pricing. I'd be willing to make the blue for yellow swap with someone.

They still are "unsexable" so I have time to figure out what to do.

[Meagan83]

I paid $100 for a blue with slight balding on her head, and 70 for a normal split to blue male.

Two months later they have produced 4 blue babies and 1 green with a possible second clutch to begin.

I'm considering trying to sell or trade some of the blues for yellows from another breeder so I have one sex of blues, one sex of yellows and can try to control the incest potential.

I know in gouldian-land blues are worth more, but like others here it is not about the money, I would be happy to make that trade (if I could somehow get specific ones out of the aviary!).

I guess what I am trying to contribute here is that I am also quite flexible when it comes to pricing. I'd be willing to make the blue for yellow swap with someone.

They still are "unsexable" so I have time to figure out what to do.

If only you lived near KY
I have yellow babies. My blue hen hates all the males I pair her with, so she has not reproduced. So I have gotten some split babies from my blue male, but no pure blues thanks to my hen. lol