Banding to prevent inbreeding.

[LauraBird]

Hi,

I have successfully bred some of my Gouldians. Because the first clutch only produced one chick, we have kept her. As her baby feathers disappear and she starts looking like her mom, I am becoming concerned with her inbreeding with her father (although there are other males available as well).

I have tried to avoid banding (since my original birds have unknown owners) but I don't know if there's any other way to distinguish them.

While I realize the banding wouldn't prevent the mating (is there any way I could?), at least I would know which female it is.

I know that inbreeding is not ideal. Is it dangerous?

Thanks for the help! Also, by the way, where is the best online place for bands?

[lovezebs]

LauraBird

Hi Laura.

I use little coloured plastic perler beads, which I slice with a sharp knife into thin bands. I use different colours for different clutches and keep a written record as to who's who.

For example, I would band hoth parents with a green ring on their right ankle. Then their kids would be banded with a green band on right ankle, and a white band in their left for that clutch. Second clutch from same parents, might be green/red and so on. This way, I know never to breed green to green.

Once they do feather out, it can become difficult to tell them appart if they are the exact same colours. At times you can tell by personality and behavior, but I wouldn't count on that.

Regarding breeding between family members. If it happens, you can pull the eggs, and seperate the two birds. Usually, if there are no nests available, breeding and laying tends to be cut down to a minimum I find (with Gouldians anyway). You might find the occasional egg in a food dish, or on the floor, but you can toss them, if not sure of parentage .

Good luck.

~Elana~