How to tell when yellow hen is in breeding condition

twhyde · Post by **twhyde** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 4:06 pm

I just purchased a yellow Gouldian hen a few weeks ago. She had been picked on by some of the birds she was being housed with. She is with me now and doing great - but I have never had a yellow and don't know how to tell when she is in breeding condition. I know it will be a few more months because she is only 9-10 months old right now and I want her to be in perfect condition first. But, with the green backs the beak gets very dark and almost black - what about the yellows - any way to tell?

Terry

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 4:25 pm

My yellow hens' beak go red when they are in breeding mode but they are a red head and an orange head.

Congratulations on your new yellow hen!!

twhyde · Post by **twhyde** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:05 pm

Liz - My yellow hen has a white head....does that mean that she is really a red head? Her beak now is a little red - toward the tip. Will it go completely red when in breeding mode?

Thanks for you help.

Terry

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:17 pm

If your hen has a white head - that is reality is a black head but they show up as white in yellow backs. I had a chick like that - beautiful! The whole beak does change colour when in breeding mode - yes. Would love to see a pic of her when you get a chance.

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 7:54 pm

L in Ontario wrote:My yellow hens' beak go red when they are in breeding mode but they are a red head and an orange head.

Congratulations on your new yellow hen!!

Really? I've never seen that. All my yellow backed hens' beaks stay the same color. I can usually tell when they are ready when they nest call constantly. Do you have a picture of one of your yellow hens in breeding condition? I'd be curious to see that.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 8:10 pm

atarasi wrote:
L in Ontario wrote:My yellow hens' beak go red when they are in breeding mode but they are a red head and an orange head.

Congratulations on your new yellow hen!!
Really? I've never seen that. All my yellow backed hens' beaks stay the same color. I can usually tell when they are ready when they nest call constantly. Do you have a picture of one of your yellow hens in breeding condition? I'd be curious to see that.

Sure! Here's my best evidence photo showing my redhead male who just danced/hopped for his orangehead female. She is bowing and shaking her head (which is why she is not clear) in acceptance of his proposal... But I think you can see her beak colour very well. It does get even redder than that.

Also here is a young hen who is a daughter to the two Gouldians above. She is almost at breeding age in this photo.

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 8:23 pm

Thanks Liz,
I think I now realize why none of my yellow back hens get that color to their beaks.....they are all YHs!

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 8:25 pm

atarasi wrote:Thanks Liz,
I think I now realize why none of my yellow back hens get that color to their beaks.....they are all YHs!

Okay, your turn Jordan - can you show me pics of your YH YB hens?

twhyde · Post by **twhyde** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 8:36 pm

Thanks Liz for the photos - they helped a lot. Also, what beautiful birds your yellows are.....stunning.

I love the RH/WB/YB - I have my order in for one with a local breeder that will hopefully have the red line on the chest also. Hopefully, a double factor male. If I breed a doulbe factor yellow male to anything will it produce yellows? Or does the female have to have a yellow gene also? I am still confused about all the genetics.

Thanks again for your help.

Terry

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 9:45 pm

L in Ontario wrote:
atarasi wrote:Thanks Liz,
I think I now realize why none of my yellow back hens get that color to their beaks.....they are all YHs!
Okay, your turn Jordan - can you show me pics of your YH YB hens?

How did I know that was coming?! My camera battery is dead, so if I can get it charged enough to take a pic or two and before the automatic lights turn off for the evening in the bird room, then I'm all over it.

edit: here you go!

BirdCrazy · Post by **BirdCrazy** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 10:17 pm

I thought yellow head and orange head were one in the same, aren't they? Maybe I am wrong? Also I keep hearing about the redline Goulds. What is that and does anyone have a pic of one?

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 10:17 pm

Ahh very pretty orange heads with the purple breasts, Jordan. I see they both have orange tipped beaks too. Are both the male and female orange heads just finishing moulting or just the male out front?

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 11:09 pm

Thanks Liz. The cock is young and finishing his moult. He was a surprise....both his parents are RHs. The yellow hen is about 3.7 years old.

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 11:12 pm

BirdCrazy wrote:I thought yellow head and orange head were one in the same, aren't they? Maybe I am wrong? Also I keep hearing about the redline Goulds. What is that and does anyone have a pic of one?

Yes, they are one in the same. Technically, they are called yellow headed, but since they are generally orange, that's what people call them. Redline gouldians is when there is a thin red line inbetween the purple breast and yellow belly.