Derk@slwatson@Rox If imports stop, that will be devastating to U.S. aviculture too, as we will only have what is in the country now. Now I have to get off my lazy duff and set my birds up for breeding! I have not been breeding my birds for some time now, and shame on me. Here I am encouraging others to breed, but not making an example for others to follow.

Once imports stop, Rox is correct about the prices--they will go beyond the reach of many breeders. I paid $250 for a pair of Goldbreasts in 2007, just before the CITES ban was lifted!
I too hate to see the hybrids. I understand the challenge, but breeders have to realize that it is basically irresponsible. We see the same in dogs here in the U.S., except that people are paying high prices for these hybrids, which just encourages greedy breeders to produce even more hybrids. What was considered a mutt and given away for free when I was young is now considered a 'breed' and commands high $$$.
Mary, when you get hens for your two boys, each pair will need to be in their own cage, as once you introduce hens into the mix, the males will become very aggressive to each other. And yes, it is very important to keep the two species separate, as they can easily produce fertile hybrids. It is so important to keep these two species pure, and if the imports stop, then I hope the indiscriminate hybrid breeding stops.