Winter bred gouldians versus summer

[MariusStegmann]

I spoke to a number of gouldian breeders who says that they don't allow their gouldians to breed in summer because the chicks bred in summer are weak. I am an analytical person and always want to know the reason behind things. There seems to be no logical reason for the summer bred chick to be weaker. Is this a myth or just a South African believe? Do anyone have any evidence for or against?
Perhaps it is because it is very hot during summer here, but then you get very hot summers in many parts of the world like Australia, Texas, Arizona etc.

[debbie276]

Where they breed in the wild it's very hot so doesn't make much sense to me that the chick's would be weaker.
I don't breed in winter because it is way to cold here and the chick's would die for sure. My birds all come into breeding mode in the heat of summer after their spring molt. They rest during the coldest months.
Interesting topic, can't wait to hear other responses.

[MariusStegmann]

Rox Monotwine. I was hoping that I would get an opinion from you ladies on this topic. Leon and Ricardo told me that the summer bred gouldians are weak. You both know Leon and Ricardo is a gouldian breeder that breeds about 400 gouldians a year.

[monotwine]

Hi. I guess their logic could be that if the babies were bred in winter then and survived they are "stronger".

However my personal experience and thoughts go along these lines.
I have found with outdoor bred Gouldian that the babies born in either season are equally strong. My breeding Goulds bred throughout the year, depending on their age when they were born / season bred etc. Inside the breeding room to outside in own made nests in brush. Obviously winter is more challenging for youngsters as if they get caught in a bad storm survival is poor and if they fledge on a particularly nasty day and get exposed to the weather.... so it depends largely on your setup too. If its sheltered, then winter wouldn't be a bad breeding season.
The deciding factor on survival is the moult period, so as long as the babies moult during the warmer months (preferably over the hottest summer months which speeds the process up a bit) you are bang on the money.

[Rox]

I've honestly never thought much about it. I try to stop my gouldians breeding from about May onwards, as I tend to get more deaths in the colder months with hens becoming egg bound. I've also never noticed any difference in terms of winter vs summer bred birds. As Monique mentions, if they make it through the molt, then they will be fine. This is the most stressful time for them.

I just had 11 goulds fledge from 2 pairs last week. Considering that these chicks were hatched and raised in the extreme heat waves we have been having, I would like to think they are super strong birds. They are in that metal aviary of mine and it gets cooking in there!