Heathrow

Hi DrNat - I dont pretend for a minute to be knowledgeable in breeding Lacewings, I have judged them and breed a few. The reason I took on Lacewings was that they are compatible with Cinnamons (most of my birds have the cinnamon factor). Most of the work I have done with Lacewings has been to put modern feature on them, face, spots, deep mask, directional feather etc. This has been at the expense of the variety. This year I have purchased a lacewing hen, who has really good markings, deep well defined markings, but is lacking in head feature. I will use her to the best Lacewing cock birds to try to improve the markings and maintain other features. I haven't had a problem with body suffusion before, but I understand the use of Grey factor birds will help clear this up. I would also keep to using Normals, Cinnamons and opalines to improve lacewings. Hope this helps.

Daz- about the watson birds. Almost all my birds are related back to watson birds. Have they worked for me, I would have to say Yes. Initially when I bought them in, they went backwards, but I have keep breeding with them and in the past 2 years results speak for themselves. I have been breeding budgies this time around since 2000, my initial stock was from a local breeder, which was pretty competitive. I made the decision in 2002, with the same local breeder to upgrade our stock. We visited Gary Watson with the view of buying in some modern feature, all we could afford was 1 cock bird each. At the time we both thought his was the best birdroom the country that we had visited. (there is a breeder profile on the BSNSW website) In 2003 we purchased a pair each, and 2004 2 cock birds each. All the birds purchased were very non-visual birds, but were from exceptional families, this was all we could afford and were prepared to spend on budgies. For the first couple of years, the birds produced rubbish, very small and no feature. We kept at it and used these rubbish birds because of there background, we paired all the birds genetically, and used as many different combinations as we could. We regularly swap birds from this line, but no new birds have been introduced up until this year. This year is the first year I have culled very hard. Hopfully by early August we will see if my plans have worked out or not.

HC3 Why??????

DrNat - If you asking what varieites I breed, mainly cinnamon, opalines, normals, lacewings and spangles. I have bought in a Dominant pied also this year. If you asking if they are good or not, I have had some success at the Nationals.

I'm not so sure that Auctions are the problem, I been to a number of Auctions this year, both as a seller and trying to buy. I think that there are still some good bargains available at Auctions. Generally breeders put birds in Auctions knowing that there is no guarantee of a getting a good price. Now if the breeder sold his birds privately he sets the price, as opposed to auctions. I have had birds in Auctions recently that i were thought were pretty good, only to see them be sold cheap, and have birds sell way over what i would have asked fro them privately. For my mind Auctions aren't for the newcomer to the hobby, but experienced breeders. I agree with DrNat trophies can be an issue at some shows. I would like to see (victoria) change our points system, to give greater recognition to breeders. Currently in Victoria you can have the Best Opposite sex in Show and not receive any exhibitor points, Best young bird is the only bird to receive points. There may also be a case to Nationlised ranking system. Each state has it's own status's and way of recognising breeders. If it was the same across the board it would clear up some confusion

Hi Derek I think it's almost an Australian thing, ie not to spruik too much about success, maybe tall poppy syndrome????. It seems like every good breeder overseas has there own website with all there secrets for all to see.

Whilst this is my first post, I have followed the forum for some time and find it an excellent source of Information. I would like to add to the discussion by saying that Daz's list is very correct. But, the list of exhibitors is not exhaustive. Those listed are breeders who have show there birds and had success at the Nationals each year. There are a number of breeders who for one reason or another don't show at the Nationals, but still have some of the best birds in the country. Nigel Tonkin Gary Watson, showed at his first national this year. But has some of the most sought after birds in the country. Clint Ault, 4 wins in the past 5 years, too name a few. Now, my view on why they are the best breeders in Australia. Firstly they have excellent birds, but the key to success is getting the birds in perfect condition at the right time. How many times have we heard from a judge "would have finished higher if in better condition". Top breeders plan to have there best birds in tip top show condition for the nationals, and take nothing to chance. So the key to success in my view is getting birds displayed in the best possible condition for the Judges. Top breeders spend an enormous amount of time in the months and weeks and days leading up to a major show making sure everthing is perfect. I think this is a valuable lesson for all show breeders.