Mixing gouldian pairs

[Jason in TX]

I tried searching for a solid answer to my question to no avail, so here is my situation. I have a pair of goulds alone in a large cage. My intent is to add a second pair to this cage. Today I found a too good to pass on price on a yellow back PB OH female, but the seller only has females. I wanted to introduce a pair at the same time, but I cannot find a local male. Would it be a big risk to introduce a lone female to a non-nesting pair's cage?

[Perfex]

It's worth a try, they may be perfectly content and friendly to a newcomer, or they may bully. Most of mine have been accepting to new cage buddies, except one pair that I had, but they were getting ready to nest.

[Jason in TX]

Thanks. Im trying to keep myself from buying a pair of females. At $65 each it is hard not to!

[Chris103]

I agree, they should be fine. Only problems I've had with adding another Gouldian to a cage was when the other pair was breeding.

[debbie276]

Also agree, they should be fine.

[Jason in TX]

So I ended up buying this pair. My current male is interested in the new couple, but my female is not too happy about it, but is not pecking them. I think that everyone will get along.

[Jason in TX]

And btw, The male is a BB PB ??. What is the head color called?

[danaday]

Gorgeous birds! The male is salmon head (basically a red head). It just comes out lighter in bb backs. IF you read up on the genetics you will understand more, but it all can get confusing at times. Good luck!

[Chris103]

Nice birds! Is the Yellow a hen, or a male single factor, white breasted yellow back? Did you get them from a private breeder? I just picked up a pair of Red Throat Parrot Finches from a guy in League City. He had tons of Gouldians, and pretty good prices on them too. He had BB-YB-GB and a couple of Owls.

[Jason in TX]

I got them from the same guy. I paid 150 for the male and 90 for the female, at least I hope it is a female! I am too inexperienced with goulds to tell unless they are obvious. He blew on her butt and said that she is a girl. Do you think it is male?

[Chris103]

Ehh might be a male, I'm thinking it is....if it sings then you have your answer. The breeder was a nice guy, but blowing on their butt isn't the best way to sex Gouldians! He gave me a great price on the Parrots since the hen was plucked, and when I got home, I noticed the male was missing a nail. I contacted him and He said he'd swap them out for another pair when He has them....so I'm sure He would swap Your Gouldians. Much easier drive for you, I'm almost two hours away! I couldn't swap my pair now, I'm too attached to them already, but I would buy a few more pairs from him.

[Jason in TX]

In this short video you get a better look at him/her. My gut says male. The head colors are really solid and bright.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/ ... e83e1b.mp4

[Chris103]

Can't see the video on my tablet for some reason. Just based on the picture above, I'm almost sure its a male. Like you said, head color Is really bright, as are the yellow feathers hear the abdomen and the blue collar around the head. I'm sure someone else will chime in and confirm, one way or the other. Like I said, contact the breeder if you wanted a female, I'm sure He wouldn't mind giving you a hen instead. From what I remember when picking up my Parrots, the flight had more males than hens.

[debbie276]

They both look male to me too. The YH.WB looks like a SF also because the chin color is grayish and not white.
Yea, blowing on their butt is not the way to sex them
Your Blue male is either a RH or YH, you can't tell with blues because visually they look the same.
Pretty birds, best of luck

[Jason in TX]

No suprise, I contacted the breeder and he said that he will take it back. Easy guy to deal with. I hope that he has a YB hen, If not I saw a BH PB BB that I liked. If any one local needs a bird or two, here is the ad. I reccomend him, just not to sex your bird!

http://houston.craigslist.org/grd/4282397515.html