okay, thank you Liv. I think I'm going to have to agree with you. But let me ask your opinion on the first bird you picked out is it based on the iris ring being "grey" instead of "white" even though this bird is 12 months, her iris ring says she's not mature physically or mentally yet? The other two I agree 100% and they will not be bred yet. I don't know enough about them, but it's clear they barely even have an iris ring yet let alone the color.

 

Thanks Dave.... so maybe mid to late summer at the earliest?? SO do you think I'm okay with all the other ones or are they just pushing the line of "okay to breed"... are there any others that are just "passing" at "ready to breed" ?

 

One more question.... since I shouldn't breed the sky blue dom pied hen yet... her mate the albino cock can be repaired with another hen during the next 6 moths... I have a Recessive PIed Light Green Hen and An Opaline Light Green Hen that don't have mates... what one would you suggest re-pairing the Albino cock to for this round of breeding?

Edited January 12, 200916 yr by chrissy0705

Some (iris ring) wise are verging on the boundary of under developed, but i understand they are kept inside, which can delay iris ring development a little. The three i pointed out are more than just delayed, they are well under developed. The first one has very underdeveloped iris rings for 12 months old, so would suggest that the rest of its body is also under developed and needs more time to mature.

Some (iris ring) wise are verging on the boundary of under developed, but i understand they are kept inside, which can delay iris ring development a little. The three i pointed out are more than just delayed, they are well under developed. The first one has very underdeveloped iris rings for 12 months old, so would suggest that the rest of its body is also under developed and needs more time to mature.

 

Thanks Liv, I understand what and why now. Thanks for explaining. I didn't know that indoor birds vs. outdoor birds develope differently? Is it because of the more "nature" like feel of being outside? You know it's weird too because this bird we are talking about was bought on the same day from the same batch of birds at the same pet store and kept in the same living conditions all along while in my care, but the other one developed faster?

One more question.... since I shouldn't breed the sky blue dom pied hen yet... her mate the albino cock can be repaired with another hen during the next 6 moths... I have a Recessive PIed Light Green Hen and An Opaline Light Green Hen that don't have mates... what one would you suggest re-pairing the Albino cock to for this round of breeding?

 

Do you know what the albino is masking?

One more question.... since I shouldn't breed the sky blue dom pied hen yet... her mate the albino cock can be repaired with another hen during the next 6 moths... I have a Recessive PIed Light Green Hen and An Opaline Light Green Hen that don't have mates... what one would you suggest re-pairing the Albino cock to for this round of breeding?

 

Do you know what the albino is masking?

 

 

No not yet... this will be his first time being bred.

So after looking at the iris rings, this is the way I think you should be breeding in terms of ages.

 

Breeding group 1: Upcoming Months

 

 

Breeding Group 2: Six months time (after group 1 has finished and all birds in Groups 2 are physically, not just chronologically ready)

 

 

1.

 

Hen, no leg band, bought April 08.

 

Group 1

 

Cock, no leg band, rescued June 08 owner had for 1 year before me.

 

Group 1

 

2.

 

Hen, 08 leg band, bought Feb 08.

 

Group 2

 

Cock, 00 leg band, bought Dec 07.

 

Group 1

 

3.

 

Hen, no leg band, bought from breeder Nov 08, proven pair had for 1 1/2 years before me

 

Group 2

 

Cock, no leg band, same info given as hen above

 

Group 1

 

 

4.

 

Hen, no leg band, also a rescue in Nov 08, at rescue for 6 months, previous owner told rescue they had this hen and cock for about 8 months.

 

Group 2

 

Cock, no leg band, same info as hen above.

 

Group 1

 

5.

 

Hen, 07 leg band, rescued in June 08, owner had for 1 year before me.

 

Group 2

 

Cock, no leg band, rescued in Nov 08, didn't know the his history exept he was at the rescue for 4 months.

 

Group 1

 

6.

 

Hen, 08 leg band, bought in Feb 08

 

Group 2

 

Cock, 07 leg band, given as a gift in Dec 07

 

Group 2

 

7.

 

Hen, no leg band, rescued in Nov 08, no history besides at the rescue for 3 months

 

Group 1

 

Cock, no leg band, sam info as hen above

 

Group 1

 

8. This is the pair I was questioning... and won't be breeding this time around.

 

Hen

 

Group 2

 

Cock

 

Group 2

 

** Please note all picture were taken with a flash in order to get the close up shots without blur**

 

I have gone through and split the number of birds photographed into two even groups. This means that you can have the same number of pairs down at each time.

 

There are some birds that could fall into Group 1, but in the interests of good health, perhaps it is better if they go into group 2.

 

This is all simply opinion. You can ignore it if you like at your leisure and only you will know. I am typing this to try to help you make good decisions for you birds, as ultimately, we all really want the same thing - happy, healthy birds.

Thank you Dave. This is great, give me some to breed now and while they do their thing the other have time to mature a bit more. I'm going to have to make the decisions and do it fast because I have two pairs mating already and about 4 others are trying to get the nest box covers off to get in. I hope to make some changes this weekend and possible re-pair some as suggested perviously. Thank you again.