okay so this is Tex, the other "boy" I got at the same time as Sam (now determined to be a hen). First is he a boy for sure? He has a blue cere, but so did Sam when I got her. Also can you tell me what he is.... I'm thinking a Sky Blue Opaline Cock... ????

 

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n400/ch...5a/DSCN4101.jpg

 

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n400/ch...5a/DSCN4102.jpg

 

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n400/ch...5a/DSCN4204.jpg

 

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n400/ch...5a/DSCN4270.jpg

 

The other question I have is this... as long as I don't have a nesting box present can I keep Sam and Tex together and let them become a bonded pair for next year when they are old enought to breed? I guess what I'm asking is in general it's not a problem to have males and females together when not breeding as long as there's not a nesting box, righ??? My other concern is this... since I got these two from the pet store at the same time, same date, same cage, what are my chances that they are brother and sister and if they are should I not allow them to be a breeding pair??? I know it's okay to "inbreed", but only if you are experienced in breeding and I'm just a beginer. I hope I'm not a pain. I have alot of posts and questions but I really want to learn and besides going back to school to learn this stuff, this site has proven to be the next best thing with all the experts and advice you can't go wrong.

Edited August 27, 200816 yr by chrissy0705

Yes, Tex is a sky blue opaline cock

 

It is fine to keep males and females together provided there are no nesting sites present. Males can also be over bearing on a female if they are "in the mood" so you need to keep an eye on them to and be ready to separate them if things get too heated.

 

I dont know anything about inbreeding - it is not something i want to get into.

Edited August 27, 200816 yr by **Liv**

Yes, Tex is a sky blue opaline cock

 

It is fine to keep males and females together provided there are no nesting sites present. Males can also be over bearing on a female if they are "in the mood" so you need to keep an eye on them to and be ready to separate them if things get too heated.

 

I dont know anything about inbreeding - it is not something i want to get into.

 

Thanks Liv. I don't want to get into inbreeding either, but knowing that these two are together and were bought together, I just want to know what to expect if by change they are brother and sister. I'd like to keep them as a pair because they are both young and will mature together (all my other birds are months or years older already). But if "inbreeding" is a bad issue and I should stay away from this at all costs I will have to seperate them? And if so when? Do I split them now or if I see any signs of courting down the road.

If you keep the conditions controlled you can help prevent egg laying by the hen but not all the time. Ensuring that they are always getting 10-12 hours of cage cover time at night, increase if you find that the cock is getting pushy or the hen is trying to nest, keep them away from running water such as a fish tank and only give them what they will eat vs over abundance of food all these factors light, food, water can through them into wanting to breed.

If you keep the conditions controlled you can help prevent egg laying by the hen but not all the time. Ensuring that they are always getting 10-12 hours of cage cover time at night, increase if you find that the cock is getting pushy or the hen is trying to nest, keep them away from running water such as a fish tank and only give them what they will eat vs over abundance of food all these factors light, food, water can through them into wanting to breed.

 

 

Thank you Elly I will make sure I pay attention to all of this.