FINCHforum

Hello! I have four society chicks who just fledged, and I'd love some help in identifying their colors. I'm a bit new to breeding societies.

Their mom was described as a "Chestnut/Albino/Dilute/Gray/Fawn" by the breeder I bought her from. I'm not exactly sure what that means, could someone explain please? I've also included a picture of her.

The three possible dads (they are in a community aviary) are a Black/brown European, an Ultra Dilute Fawn, and a Dilute Chestnut. I can post some pics if that would help!

Thanks!

PS: If you need a different picture of a certain chick, let me know! I can take more.

Chicks #1 and #4 are chocolate.
Chick #2 looks to be a dilute chestnut or fawn grey.
Chick #3 looks like a fawn pied.

Depending on the mutations, this can be a tricky time to identify colors. When they finish their adult molt - maybe at three months or so - their colors will change somewhat. The chocolates will be chocolates, but it remains to be seen about bird #2.

Also - different cameras and monitors will display color differently. On my monitor, your hen looks like a deeply colored fawn - not chestnut. Since the breeder said she was chestnut, I am thinking it has something to do with the photo/display.

It's a nice clutch - very sweet babies - would love to see some photos after their molts!

I have just a couple more questions, if you don't mind!

Because the father of the two chocolates is the European black-brown (I'm assuming so, correct me if I'm wrong), does that mean the chicks will be black-brown Europeans or just normal chocolates? I'm not exactly sure how the European traits are passed down.

Also, what exactly does the "Chestnut/Albino/Dilute/Gray/Fawn" name entail? Does this mean she has a chestnut phenotype, but is possibly split for the other colors?

Thank you so much for the help! I'm looking forward to receiving those leg bands I just ordered a couple days ago- the ones I got before were wonderful!

Maddie wrote: Because the father of the two chocolates is the European black-brown (I'm assuming so, correct me if I'm wrong), does that mean the chicks will be black-brown Europeans or just normal chocolates? I'm not exactly sure how the European traits are passed down.

The two chocolates will be kind of in-between - not full Euro or American normal chocolates. Depending on how much of each they carry, they may look like more deeply colored normal chocolates or almost Euro - or anywhere in between. Just to keep things confusing, Euro is not a mutation - but might be considered a type that is a result of breeding (and even introduction of another species or two) many generations in Europe to achieve the deep color, type and well-defined belly scales.

Maddie wrote: Also, what exactly does the "Chestnut/Albino/Dilute/Gray/Fawn" name entail? Does this mean she has a chestnut phenotype, but is possibly split for the other colors?

You're right - it means visually chestnut and split to the other colors. You have some great diversity there - lots of breeding possibilities.

Maddie wrote: I'm looking forward to receiving those leg bands I just ordered a couple days ago- the ones I got before were wonderful!

I'm so glad you like the bands. They should arrive in a day or two.

It will be fun to see photos of this clutch after their molt. Looking forward to them!

Thanks again! I'll be sure to update in a few months

How are the society finch young?
Which breeder did you buy them from?

Update pics!

wellingtoncdm wrote: How are the society finch young?
Which breeder did you buy them from?

The babies are now 2 months and 5 days old. I bought the parents from the man who runs Northwest Bengalese Finches, which I believe is located around Vancouver, WA. He ships!

The birds look great. Ivan is a great guy who has beautiful birds.
The best way to see if the one bird is grey is to breed her to another grey or split for grey. Hard to tell from the photos but she could be dilute but her beak looks fawn.

You can see the European influence in the black brown bird's chest scaling. Very nice!!!

Thanks! He really is wonderful, even gave me a free bird!

I'm going to be selling a couple of these guys (and a few others)- about what price do you think would be reasonable? I got their parents for $20-30. I'm pretty new to all of this and I don't want to overprice, or get taken advantage of.

Beautiful juveniles!!!

Maddie wrote: Thanks! He really is wonderful, even gave me a free bird!

I'm going to be selling a couple of these guys (and a few others)- about what price do you think would be reasonable? I got their parents for $20-30. I'm pretty new to all of this and I don't want to overprice, or get taken advantage of.

If you search the internet you can see what prices are competitive.

Gorgeous birds!