Which mutations is more Hardy?

[wcabbab]

Specifically

Blue vs Silver vs Pastel?

I'm up in the air with it? In the past, I've only loss Blues and Pastels to unknown causes.

[L in Ontario]

They (Gouldians) are all the same for me including yellows and greens.

[nixity]

Well - they're all three "blue" mutations, the only real difference is that Silver and Pastels are a combination of blue and yellow.

I wouldn't think any of the three would be more hardy than the other. I happen to believe that Yellow is a pretty strong mutation so I don't think it would necessarily weaken a blue by being combined, but I guess some people feel that Silvers are weak because it's the most "mutated" the bird can be.

As long as the birds are healthy and come from good lines, I think you should see strong babies regardless of the mutation

[CandoAviary]

As long as the birds are healthy and come from good lines, I think you should see strong babies regardless of the mutation

Agree 100%, With any of the color mutations, the genetic lineage, care, and enviroment go much further than what the particular color of the bird may be.

[debbie276]

Also agree with Tiffany and Candace

[lovemyfinch]

I agree wholeheartedly
I haven't seen any difference whatsoever.

[wcabbab]

So given that all birds are equal. Do you think it is ok to breed a blue x blue, or blue x silver, or silver x silver, or pastel x pastel, .........etc?

[nixity]

That's a different question... I don't think you should - but for a number of reasons. Someone recently posted an excellent response to this question.. lemme see if I can find it..

[nixity]

Found it http://finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8 ... 65#p163965

To understand these claims of blue to blue (yes or no), folks need to understand some minor key notes in genetics.

When a male and female come together, generally, both sexes have different gene pools. We can call this heterozygosity. Heterozygosity is important when it comes to male/female breeding because this means their children get a mixture of genetics that enable them to survive the forever changing environment around us.

However, when heterozygosity drops, this means you've been breeding siblings to siblings or closely related male/female pairs together. When it becomes a homo(same)zygosity organism to another, then their offspring's genetics stop growing, so to speak, and thus makes it difficult for them to adapt to the natural changing environment. This changing environment could be something as little as increase in world's temp, weather changes, evolving bacteria, so on. Without good genes, offspring come out weak because their gene pool aren't growing anymore and so they die off and survivors are often not the best quality specimens one can find.

This applies to ALL organisms that require a male and female. Not just to blue gouldians, not just on birds, but to all organisms that require to mate. With that being said, keep in mind of where you are getting the birds and what gene pool they're from. Thats all you need to worry about. Ignore the color, ignore what kind of bird it is. Worry about if they are related or not.

This genetics rule applies to ALL birds that we breed. You don't want to breed normal to normal and keep breeding siblings with each other. This causes inbreeding, which is the main concern to why people don't like blue to blue. Because blue is one of the newer and more expensive gouldians out there. New + Expensive means people will breed siblings with each other in order to avoid paying another 150 or more for another bird. Thus, causing poor genetics.

Blue gouldians have been out for a while now and it is generally safe to breed the two together. Going for a blue + different color (Say green) isn't exactly THAT safe either. What if the green back is a heavily inbred green back? It has poor genes too and so your offspring may come out with some retardations or negative mutations. Or what if the blue back was heavily inbred and the green back wasn't? Same results. What if both are inbred? Even worse.

Bottomline, a diverse gene pool is the way to go. Know your sources.

[wcabbab]

Thanks Tiffany.

[Meagan83]

Found it http://finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8 ... 65#p163965

To understand these claims of blue to blue (yes or no), folks need to understand some minor key notes in genetics.

When a male and female come together, generally, both sexes have different gene pools. We can call this heterozygosity. Heterozygosity is important when it comes to male/female breeding because this means their children get a mixture of genetics that enable them to survive the forever changing environment around us.

However, when heterozygosity drops, this means you've been breeding siblings to siblings or closely related male/female pairs together. When it becomes a homo(same)zygosity organism to another, then their offspring's genetics stop growing, so to speak, and thus makes it difficult for them to adapt to the natural changing environment. This changing environment could be something as little as increase in world's temp, weather changes, evolving bacteria, so on. Without good genes, offspring come out weak because their gene pool aren't growing anymore and so they die off and survivors are often not the best quality specimens one can find.

This applies to ALL organisms that require a male and female. Not just to blue gouldians, not just on birds, but to all organisms that require to mate. With that being said, keep in mind of where you are getting the birds and what gene pool they're from. Thats all you need to worry about. Ignore the color, ignore what kind of bird it is. Worry about if they are related or not.

This genetics rule applies to ALL birds that we breed. You don't want to breed normal to normal and keep breeding siblings with each other. This causes inbreeding, which is the main concern to why people don't like blue to blue. Because blue is one of the newer and more expensive gouldians out there. New + Expensive means people will breed siblings with each other in order to avoid paying another 150 or more for another bird. Thus, causing poor genetics.

Blue gouldians have been out for a while now and it is generally safe to breed the two together. Going for a blue + different color (Say green) isn't exactly THAT safe either. What if the green back is a heavily inbred green back? It has poor genes too and so your offspring may come out with some retardations or negative mutations. Or what if the blue back was heavily inbred and the green back wasn't? Same results. What if both are inbred? Even worse.

Bottomline, a diverse gene pool is the way to go. Know your sources.

"Know your sources" That's most important I think. I don't think there should be a problem breeding certain color mutation with each other as long as the pairing has no chance of relation and the birds are from people you trust. Multiple sources that are trusted. I obtained my birds through trusted friends. Paranoid trusted friends . People who are so against related breedings that they keep records of all their birds, or can atleast provide records during a sale or trade.