Fire Finch Trade

BirdCrazy · Post by **BirdCrazy** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 3:34 pm

I have a friend who wants to trade a proven pair of Fire Finches for a male Gouldian. I have never had Fires but am getting curious about them since everyone on here seems to love them. My question is what do they usually go for here in the US? I am thinking I would be getting quite the deal by trading. The male I would be trading is a young Dilute Red Head Purple Breast Green Back male. Do you think that is a good trade? I don't think they would be able to be kept in my aviary with all my Strawberries though, right?

Rayray · Post by **Rayray** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 3:40 pm

just trade and you won't be disapointed in them , and for sure its a new species to try with

good luck

Rayray

GOULDYGIRL · Post by **GOULDYGIRL** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 3:50 pm

In my area NY, they go for $150 a pair, although the only store I've been to they only have the male which they would sell me for $75 but I asked and if they had a female it would be what I stated. That price seems to be the norm in other areas as well. My Gould pair which are RH NB's were $150 for the pair as well, same store.

Renee

franny · Post by **franny** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 3:50 pm

I think you are right, that there may be trouble if you put them in with your strawberries. They can get agressive with other red birds at breeding time. But if I were you I'd go for it, even if I had to keep them in a separate cage! They are hard to find here, and such beautiful birds. Do you know anything about how old they are, or breeding history?

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 3:52 pm

If they were young enough - I would grab them. Fire Finches are beautiful but will need to be kept separate from the Strawberries - any redheaded finches will be aggressive towards each other.

Fires near me typically go for $150 a pair as well.

BirdCrazy · Post by **BirdCrazy** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 4:26 pm

I am really torn on this as I would rather not have to keep them in a separate cage. I already have a few birds that have to be and I don't have an open one unless I got rid of some. I really would like to actually have everyone in the same aviary eventually and not have anything anymore that won't mix well so that would wreck my plans.

I was with my friend when she bought these at a bird fair last Spring. I believe she paid about what you are all telling me. This would be like getting them for half price as I would ask around $75 for my Dilute male. These were wild caught birds that were imported so I have no idea their age. They gave her two male and one female chick last June feeding them worms and small crickets and nothing since. Decisions, decisions!!

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 6:19 pm

Just as an FYI... For my yellow and dilute Gouldians - I am asking $110 and getting it. Other breeders are asking more.

BirdCrazy · Post by **BirdCrazy** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 6:29 pm

Maybe it isn't such a great deal then? I just don't really care for the Dilutes as I think the regular wild type male is so much prettier with the black accents rather than the grey. I know people charge more for them because they are a mutation. I got him for $50 so I would be making money on him at $75 anyway. He seems to like my normal type female right now who is proven so maybe I should just forget the whole thing. Plus I have an even number of Goulds right now and then I would have to get another male to replace him. I think I am talking myself out of all this, LOL!

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 6:38 pm

I sure do not want to talk you out of anything. If it were me, I'd get another cage - heck I already have them waiting!

But only SIX of them!

I know it's a tough decision and sometimes you got to say "no" and sometimes hindsight is 20/20 - at least for me.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 7:59 pm

Don't you have a large walk in aviary? I would try them....... if there is plenty of room it may not be an issue with the strawberry finches.

I have been told not to keep rccb and bccb males together. I have them and never have had a problem even during breeding season.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 8:18 pm

You have a large walk-in aviary? Ooooooooooooooh!! Room for lots of pretty birds then, maybe?

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 9:20 pm

and here I am selling firefinches for $40 a pair. if only exporting was possible

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 9:31 pm

Mick - wow! I should move there!

BirdCrazy · Post by **BirdCrazy** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 10:19 am

I thought long and hard about this last night but my Dilute male that I thought about trading made up my mind for me. I went to shut down the lights in my bird room last night and found him making a nest. I guess he wants to stay, LOL! Plus my friend said to for sure not put them with my Strawberries. She said she had one kill a Strawberry. She came home to it standing over the body, yuck! That helped my decision too as I would rather have my passive type Finches that get along with everyone in a mixed aviary. Thanks for the opinions everyone. I really did appreciate them!

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 2:42 pm

I can never give up one of my "original" birds. The babies I KNOW have to go. If I had room I would probably keep them all.