My clutch is fledging and they are all beautiful but I can't make my mind up on which one to keep. I really like the Light Green Normal because she already has alot of spots and a wide mask. The Oplaines both have a long mask but its not as wide as the Light Green Normal's they also have bigger throat spots. The head on the Light green is also bigger than the others.

 

I know they need at least 1 year if not 2 to mature into an adult bird to really be able to notice any show qualities. I'm not sure which one I should keep though...

 

My question is what do you look for when you hold back fledgelings?

Thanks

I don't know what you mean about "you hold back fledgelings" but when I look at a chick it must have width of cere that is the feathering above the cere. It should have good back skull. The distance between the eyes and the back of the skull should be three times the distance of between the eyes and the cere. it should have a long mask in proportion to the head. You can see these features from 3 weeks old.

 

As it progresses it should stand well and have good posture. The tail should not hinge. The feathering should be smooth and tight.

 

A chick will go backward between 5 weeks and 3 months and might not start to look good until it's 6 months old.

 

Some will look like they have potential but never gain it. Some will look ordinary but will mature beautifully.. You as time never can tell. Many a good bird has been lost due to the impatience of the breeder. He sells it too soon and finds out that it has turned out great.

Thanks Daz, what I meen by holding back is keeping instead of selling it because I only have room for a limited amount of birds so I want to keep the best ones.

 

I will wait and see if they get some of the characteristics you mentioned.

I am glad i do not breed for show tooo Much involved But I too have issues parting with my babes ...

Show breeders do not usually sell or move on their birds until after their first moult as their birds can develop from nothing much in the nestbox to something special once they have been flying around in the aviary for awhile. I caught an olive budgie the other day to check its legring thinking it was a bought in bird from awhile back. It turned out to be a chick I bred late last year who had turned into a large and beautiful stocky bird. When it was a baby is was tiny.

Thats what all of them do, thats why its hard to find one that will actually sell you some. I can't do that though I can only keep 1, I think I will keep the Light Green Normal hen she is looking really nice and I do need another hen. I will post some pictures when I get a new memory card which will be soon.