A few question on molting

[kiwi & mango]

My 2 goulds that are about 2 years old or starting a molt. The second pair that I picked up this last winter (both will be a year old next month) look like they are starting to molt as well. I wasn't expecting the second pair (the younger ones) to molt quite yet.

Also how long after a molt is it ok to breed a pair of goulds?

thanks a lot of any information
KM

[dfcauley]

My 2 goulds that are about 2 years old or starting a molt. The second pair that I picked up this last winter (both will be a year old next month) look like they are starting to molt as well. I wasn't expecting the second pair (the younger ones) to molt quite yet.

Also how long after a molt is it ok to breed a pair of goulds?

thanks a lot of any information
KM

I think they need to be at least a year old to be successful parents.
I have a young pair now that have just hatched 3 eggs. I really didin't want them to breed because they are barely a year old. But they didn't ask me.

[Sally]

You don't want to breed them till they are in condition. Gouldians show this with the beak color. The molt can go on for several months, so they will not breed now. By the time they are finished molting, the young ones will probably be old enough. The beak color on the males gets really red and on the females gets really black, except my yellow females get red beaks--confusing, huh?

[kiwi & mango]

yes I am aware of the female going into breeding condition this pair have already produced eggs but would not care for them. My question is this... from others experience how long does the molt last and then how long after molting is finished do they noticed that the bird is in breeding condition?

thanks

[dfcauley]

You don't want to breed them till they are in condition. Gouldians show this with the beak color. The molt can go on for several months, so they will not breed now. By the time they are finished molting, the young ones will probably be old enough. The beak color on the males gets really red and on the females gets really black, except my yellow females get red beaks--confusing, huh?

I think Sally answered that question as best anyone can. The molt varies on different ones. Mine have been molting for 3 months now, but they are almost finished. My male has begun singing again and I don't think it will be long before they are ready to breed. You have to watch for the beak color.

[kiwi & mango]

The male has started to molt about a week and a half ago and still showing signs he wants to breed with the female that is almost a year old next month. He sings and sings to her and jumps up and down right beside her. She wiggles her tail feathers, they have been doing this for about 3 months now... The two are soooo in love.... they have been since the moment I brought the new female home. I guess time will tell and I will make sure to write informaiton down on each bird for future reference.

thanks

[fairestfinches]

To the root of your question. . .

We have not had much success after six years old in breading. After six years we have found that the chances of egg bind increase, and the stress of raising young take it's toll on the parents more so. You may find that you have more success after the six year than we have, but all I can share is our experience. As with all things bird related there is no 100%.

Sean

[jamezyboo21]

Thats how my pair of gouldians are. at first he only sang but now he is jumping and singing. the female was just starting to molt and was always chasing him away, she is almost finished molting now and is more friendly towards the male and sleeps next to him now. they havent mated yet though. she doesnt ever look interested in mating bt mybe she will when she finishes her molt. She still has about a month to go. by then they will both be a little over a year old.

[jamezyboo21]

Thats how my pair of gouldian's are. at first he only sang but now he is jumping and singing. the female was just starting to molt and was always chasing him away, she is almost finished molting now and is more friendly towards the male and sleeps next to him now. they haven't mated yet though. she doesn't ever look interested in mating but maybe she will when she finishes her molt. She still has about a month to go. by then they will both be a little over a year old.