Interview With Helmut Klüsener Of Germany

[**KAZ** 0]

 

 

INTERVIEW WITH HELMUT KLÜSENER OF GERMANY

 

Champion breeder, exhibitor and judge

 

Website http://www.hkluesener.eu/

 

 

Q1. AT WHICH POINT IN TIME DID YOU FIRST DEVELOP AN INTEREST IN BUDGERIGARS ?

 

Since dealing with animals in his early years, my

Life shaped, I started in 1967 with the bird's breeding.

My son, Frank, 1968 three years old, wanted a

Budgerigar.

We took on this species and I quickly realized that

It was probably the show budgerigars, which it had done to me.

That was the beginning of a wonderful time.

 

Q2. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST AVIARY/BREEDING ROOM LIKE ?

The breeding started in a downstairs room with 12 sqm, equipped with one flight and eight breeding cages.

 

Q3. WHERE DID YOUR FIRST BIRDS COME FROM AND OVER WHAT PERIOD OF TIME DID YOU CONTINUE WITH THESE LINES ?

My first birds are bought from a later club colleague. I bred with these birds for three years (learning years).

 

Q4. ARE YOUR PRESENT BIRDS FROM THESE SAME BLOODLINESIF NOT WHAT BLOODLINES HAVE IMPACTED MOST WITHIN YOUR STUD?

 

The complete stud was sold in 1970 and I started again a new beginning with birds from English top breeders. From these I built up my own lines in the meantime. Naturally, sometimes there were bought some outcross birds from European top breeders.

 

Q5. HOW DO YOU PREPARE YOUR BIRDS FOR THE BREEDING SEASON?

 

As the birds are optimally provided for the whole year a special preparing is not necessary. Naturally, the bird must be healthy.

 

Q6. DO YOU SET YOUR BREEDING SEASON BY THE CALENDER OR BY SIGNS OF THE BIRDS BEING READY ?

 

The breeding begins in September/October in visual to the moon phase (newmoon). The healthy of the budgies is the main thing.

 

Q7. WHEN PAIRING UP DO YOU GO BY PEDIGREE OR VISUAL APPEARANCES OR BOTH ?

 

Next to the visual signs I pay attention on the breeding book/records (data system).

 

Q8. HOW CLOSELY DO YOU MATE YOUR BIRDS AND WHAT RELATED MATINGS HAVE BEEN

THE MOST SUCCESSFUL?

I prefer the following pairings: Grandparents to Grandchildren and Cousins together, without seeing any differences.

 

Q9. WHAT VARIETY MIXES DO YOU USE FOR IMPROVEMENT IF ANY OR IS IT BEST TO BEST?

 

All the birds should have a good quality and faults have to be equalized ever.

 

Q10. HOW MANY CHICKS AND ROUNDS DO YOU ALLOW YOUR BIRDS TO HAVE?

 

2 – 3 rounds with max. 4 youngsters each.

 

Q11. WHAT FEATURES ARE THE HARDEST TO PUT ON A BIRD AND HOW DOES ONE GO ABOUT ESTABLISHING THAT FEATURE AND RETAINING ITTHE DIRECTIONAL FEATHERSTRAIGHT BACKLINESHOULDER & LENGTH?

 

Head, length and type are the first demands for a breeder. After this, it´s necessary to look after the feather. When these things are always in the point of view, then it´s sure to held the level.

 

Q12. WHAT IS YOUR FEEDING PROGRAMME DURING THE BREEDING SEASON AND DOES THIS DIFFER DURING THE NON BREEDING SEASON?

During the breeding season I give a millet mixure, composed of 25 % silver-, Japan-, Senegal and La Plata millet each. Also, in a second pot, I give Canary seed. Eggfood and a well balanced wet seed food I only offer during the breeding season.

 

Q13a. PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR CURRENT AVIARY DESIGN SIZE FLIGHTS BREEDING CAGE DESIGN AND NUMBER OF CAGES ETC?

My birdroom is 7.4 mts x 6.2 mts and is equipped as follows: 30 breeding cages 80 x 50 x 40 cms, 9 seperating cages 50 x 50 x 30 cms for the youngsters, 2 flights 2 x 2 mts, 2 flights 2 x 3 mts. The birdhouse has an electrical heating system and gets fresh air with 4 windows and 2 ventilators.

 

 

 

Q13b. WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT YOUR SETUP IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO DO SO ?

 

As the a. m. birdhouse is built on wood, I would prefer a stone house today, cause that saves heating costs and the work would be less.

 

Q14. DO YOU USE PREVENTATIVE MEDICATION DURING AND PRE BREEDING SEASON AND IF SO WHAT AND WHY.

 

No, I prefer to have the room absolutely clean, to give clean food and an optimal save of the birds.

Q15. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE GREATEST ASSET OF BEING IN THE HOBBY AND WHERE DO YOU SEE THE HOBBY HEADING WITH SO MANY BREEDERS LEAVING TODAY?

 

A big roul plays the recession. The cost intensive hobby don´t allows a couple of breeders to do it. Onto this it comes missing success, often produced by having no ideas in the important things, genetics for example. Also the much work we´ve with the hobby. Playing with the computer might be easier.

 

Q16. WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT VALUE ABOUT FRIENDSHIPS FORMED AND FELLOWSHIP WITHIN THE BUDGIE BREEDING FRATERNITY ?

The most important thing is the responsibility against the creature. All the other things have a less importance for me.

 

Q17. DO YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON HOW TO PROMOTE THE HOBBY TO GET MORE PEOPLE INTERESTED IN JOINING OUR CLUBS ?

I would wish, that there would be more spoken about the birds in the clubs, which would be more interesting fort he visitors.

 

Q18. WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF HAVING A NATIONAL SHOW?

The concurrence makes such a big show more interesting. Having the success, then it supports being well known by the people.

 

Q19. HOW WOULD YOU GO ABOUT POINTING A NOVICE BREEDER IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO ENABLE THEM TO REACH THE TOP BENCH IN AROUND EIGHT YEARS?

When a beginner has all the suppositions, then it could work. It´s needful to have the intellectual equipment, money, patience and a bit of luck. I would tell the beginner about the pros and contras.

 

Q20. WHAT DO YOU DO WITH BIRDS WITH FEATHER DISORDERS?

 

To cull.

 

Q21. WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU THE MOST IN THE FANCY?

 

The honest and trustful breeders, which are even successful.

 

Q22. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR LOWEST AND HIGHEST POINTS IN THE HOBBY ?

 

The most bad thing is illness and a non satisfying breeding season.

 

Q23. WHAT IN YOUR MIND WAS THE BEST BIRD YOU EVER BOUGHT THAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE IN YOUR STUD AND WHAT APPROXIMATELY WAS ITS COST ?

In 42 years of breeding experience I bought a lot of good birds. The prices I could not tell after this long time.

 

Q24. IF YOU WERE JUST STARTING OUT ALL OVER AGAIN AS A NOVICE IN TODAYS WORLDWHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU DISPENSE BASED ON WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT ?

To inform better about the budgie hobby in front. To learn with the help of Champion breeder.

 

Q25. WOULD YOU HAVE A PHILOSPHY TO SHARE THAT HAS HELPED YOU IN DAILY LIFE WITH YOUR BUDGERIGARS ?

The birds must be healthy and fertile. When I got this, I have good breeding results at it´s end.

 

Q26. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE MUTATION OR VARIETY THAT REALLY INSPIRES YOU ? AND WHAT VARIETIES ARE YOU SPECIALISING IN AT THE MOMENT ?

 

Cinnamons in all varieties.

 

Q27. GIVEN ALL OF THE ABOVE DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER TIPS OR HINTS ON HOW TO IMPROVE AND SUSTAIN AN EXHIBITION BUDGERIGAR STUD?

 

To think good about the advance and transponse the a. m. thing patiently.

 

Q28. IF THERE WAS ONE MAIN THING YOU HAVE WANTED TO SAY THAT ENCOMPASSES YOUR FEELINGS ABOUT BEING INVOLVED IN BUDGERIGARS AND CLUBS WHAT WOULD IT BE ?

At first the health of the budgies is the most important thing. In the clubs I would wish the people to be honest together and our fine hobby should stand in front.