Multiple Pairs of Gouldians?

[Banana]

Hi everyone,

I have just recently bought my first pair of Gouldians. I have been doing my research but still love to post on here to get some great advice from people who know better

I hope I don't come off as over sharing but the Gouldian bug has very seriously bitten me . I have been going through a hard time lately and I was initially just planning on having the single pair in a medium sized cage inside to have company during the days. However encouraged by my partner who has seen the difference in me since owning these beautiful babies he has built me an outdoor flight cage re-purposed from a cabinet so that I may have more. This is now in the final stages and we are almost ready to introduce the birds.

My question is I am now wanting to get another pair. I have been told in a previous post here it is best if possible to introduce all birds at the same time so I am now on the look out for my second pair of birds.

I have only managed to find one pair where I live, one of which is typical male and one of which is white breasted meaning it is harder to tell if it is a cock or a hen. (ALSO: The birds are from a pet store also which means they haven't been afforded the chance to breed to definitively know their gender). They have said the two cocks in the same cage with the white breasted bird sing and hop for it but I don't think this is a definitive answer its a hen?

If I was to purchase the white breasted bird and it turned out to be a cock, would the single hen I already have be harassed by having three cocks and one hen? I believe I have read that its better to have as much of an even ratio of males:females as possible but I wont know if its a hen until I own it and see, or is there another way to sex a white breasted Gouldian?

If the white breasted bird did turn out to be a cock I would probably keep him and try and swap the normal PB male for a female with someone. The cage can be split into two so I could always keep my pair separate from the two cocks while I am waiting to swap worst case scenario.

Just after some advice. Would you buy the white breasted bird and is there another way to sex a white breasted bird??

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my ramble

[Banana]

I have now taken pictures of the bird in question but unfortunately cannot figure out how to insert them into my reply.

[debbie276]

Gouldians are usually very mellow so you don't have to worry so much about introducing them at the same time.
An even ratio is a very good idea if your breeding, not so much if your not. Plants and multiple perches will give them a chance to get away from aggressive advances.
White Breast hens will have a lighter belly color then males, shorter tailwires and not sing. If you can post a picture we may be able to help identify them.
Male gouldians will sing and hop for anyone standing still

[Banana]

Oh perfect, well I would like to put my babies in ASAP so they can be happier in a larger space and then put the new ones in whenever I get them.

Ideally I would like the experience of breeding but it's not a do or die thing so if I end up with one uncooperative hen I don't mind

I took pictures today with permission from the pet store owner however I cannot figure out how to upload them as they are only saved on my computer not on a webpage....

[Sally]

Banana You can upload pictures directly from your computer. Here is a tutorial on how to do it:

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=22710

[Banana]

Found it thank you

This is the bird in the petshop (i do have 100% permission to post), I know almost all sites say its not a good idea to pick the one sitting puffed up alone so does the bird

a) look like a cock or a hen
&
b) look healthy or unhealthy

Just for some background it is in a fairly overcrowded cage with mixed species and two other definite cocks

[Banana]

Tried to comment before, not sure if it's been added or even gone through, does this bird look like a cock or a hen?

Also does she look healthy, I will obviously quarantine and treat for mites / worms (not sure what products I can get where I am so I'm heading to the vet Monday) thanks

[debbie276]

Kind of hard to tell in those pictures whether the belly is a dark yellow or lighter. The beak is either black because it is a very young bird or a hen in breeding mode.
Can't really see the trail to know if it had a long tailwires or short.
Personally I do not buy birds with the chest like that, but that's me.
My best guess would be hen but the colors are not that clear.

[josh1810]

Banana

Im going to say a hen. She looks just ok to me. Im really picky about my gouldians though. Id say she needs to go through a good molt and some better nutrition.

If you do get her, watch for her to be fluffy, inactive, bright yellow droppings, making a " tick tick tick " sound. Also may want to pick up some lice spray. Hard to tell in her feet but they look a tad bit scaly.

[josh1810]

Banana

Also just realized. Look at the first picture you posted with the other birds head barely peaking up.

See the band around the back of that ones head. " bright blue" thats a male, the white breasted bird has a "faint lime green" band. Theres your give away...

Hope this helps... for future reference also the yellow body isnt always full proof. I have several proven hens with dark yellow body color. Also head color. Some mutations have different colored heads, and the mask color will vary widely.

[Banana]

Hmmm, as much as I would like to rescue her I owe it to my existing birds to not risk their health by bringing in a so obviously unwell bird. Plus these birds are a bit on the pricey side being from a pet shop, with no real allowance for talking the price down. I'll have to have a really good think and I'll go see her again this coming week.

Thank you everyone for your replies, it's much appreciated