Daz

"Preventative Medication Regimes" Perhaps as controversial as the use of low dose antibiotics in foodstuffs as a growth stimulant, is the practice of routine flock treatment with medications as a recommended method of pathogen control. The argument against routine medication prevention programmes centres on the belief that if your birds are not displaying any symptoms and are fit there is no need for treatment. To subject healthy birds to such a course of action is irresponsible and may do more harm than good. On the other side of the argument are those who believe routinely scheduled preventive medication regimes have a valid role in pathogen control. This action, they believe, is prophylactic and akin to using vaccinations against measles, flu, etc. in human subjects. In support of this argument, they point to the veterinary professions growing use of new viral immunisations that have been developed for parrots that protect against Pacheco Disease, Beak and Feather Disease, etc. It is undeniable that Budgerigars carry a number of disease organisms, which remain hidden, or inactive until specific circumstances, such as stress, are present. Then they are shed through faeces, feather dust, etc. to other birds in the aviary in a very short period of time. New arrivals, whether, imported breeding stock, outcrosses from a local club member, or even a shared breeding with a friend, quickly introduce and spread new bacteria, worms, protozoa’s, etc. throughout the aviary. Vermin In most aviaries, even those, which are kept relatively, clean disease organisms are also introduced by vermin, roaches, etc. Flights, which provide birds access to dirt or fail to protect against the droppings of wild birds and animals allow for an uncontrolled influx of unseen pathogens that are easily passed amongst the flock. Even commercially grown and purchased seeds, introduce disease into the aviary by way of microscopic spores carrying candida albicans. The point is, pathogens enter the aviary in a number of ways affecting perhaps, one, a dozen or even the majority of birds in the flock and unless we are observant and the birds exhibit the symptoms we do not even know there is a problem. As a result of this, it is easy to understand why routine medication regimes have become such a common management practice in the Budgerigar hobby. A common management practice, however, is not always the best or recommended practice. The problem with routine medication regimes, are that they are terribly short sighted. Routinely treating a flock of birds with medication in an attempt to “kill” what may or may not be present is not responsible aviary management nor a substitute for sound management as it ignores the source of the problem. It is also not the same as immunisation. Immunisation is a process of establishing antibodies to increase resistance to specific disease entities. Medication routines do not build resistance. In fact, routine use of some medications, such as antibiotics, may actually reduce bacterial resistance and increase the incidence of sub-clinical disease in the flock. Desirable management practices, as alluded to by Mr. Cole years ago, are not focused on treating illnesses as is the case with indiscriminate medication usage. Remember, the goal of sound management is always to reduce the need for medication by addressing those factors through which diseases are introduced into the aviary. In this regard, MAP is probably the most significant program developed in the past 50 plus years for improving avicultural practices in the modern aviary and addressing this very issue. from THE MASTER BREEDER

"Critical Nutritional Periods In Breeding Hens And Chicks" Unlike mammals, which continuously pass nutrients through the placenta to the developing foetus, the Budgerigar must create an egg, which contains everything that the single celled ovum needs to develop through its embryonic stage. In addition to its mineral content of 3% Calcium, 6% Phosphorus, 0.15% Sodium, 0.16% Potassium, 33 mg/kg of Manganese, 0.3 mg/kg Iodine, 0.35 mg/kg Zinc and a few less important minerals in minute quantities, the production of this egg also requires a tremendous amount of protein. Unless this supply of high quality protein is supplemented in the diet, the hen is forced to draw upon all of her available protein reserves; even that which is necessary for her own maintenance. Those who wish to breed Budgerigars cannot overlook the significance of this. Research has demonstrated that control parent pairs fed only basic seed diets without supplementing, produced poorer quality, smaller, brittle feathered hatchlings in the third nest and thereafter smashed their fertile eggs prior to hatching. Control pairs from similar genetic breeding stock were able to produce and feed well grown, well feathered, vigorous fledglings for as many as 5 to 7 consecutive nests on protein supplemented diets. It is also not surprising that the hens increased requirement for high quality protein supplementing and production of high quality protein crop milk corresponds with a hatchlings critical weight gain period, During the period of egg incubation, protein rich cells begin to break away from the lining of the proventriculus of the breeding hen to form crop milk. This milk on analysis, shows very high levels of protein, fatty acids, lecithin, Vitamins A and B, riboflavin, niacin, phosphorous, calcium, sodium and manganese. Unless otherwise supplemented, these nutrients are again drawn exclusively from the hens body and tissue reserves to support the growing hatchlings needs. The First 28 Days During the first 28 days of life, a chick's weight increases from 25 to 35 times its hatching weight of 1.2 to 1.5 grams. At this time, the forces of a developing blood system, nervous system, organ system, skin and feather system are competing within the chick for whatever protein resources are available from the crop milk and other foods offered. The overall affect of protein and amino acid deficiency during this time is sub-normal growth and development. As feather protein contains a higher amount of cystine than other body proteins, it is also during this time of maximum feather growth in a nestling that the relative requirement for cystine may also increase. There are additionally some conditions that are directly related to specific amino acid deficiencies throughout these critical times. In studies of fowl, leaving out just one of the essential amino acids in the diet of a laying hen led to a decrease in her food consumption as well as an immediate decrease in egg laying. The production of keratin, which forms the nails and beaks of developing embryos, is dependent upon sufficient methionine, cysline and cysteine. Deformity of the tongue is linked to insufficient lencine, isolensine and phenylaline. A lack of tyrosine leads to thyroid hormone deficiency, which is evidenced by poor feathers, no feathers, and dark pigment melanin missing in feathers. Convulsions can be caused by inadequate amounts of pyridoxine. Incompletely formed feathers can be caused by deficiencies in arginine and glycine while food lacking arginine, methionine and glycine, from which the body synthesises creatine for normal muscle, produces poor muscle tone. Of all the essential amino acids, however, lysine is maybe the single most important when it comes to growth, feather production and mortality. This is true not only during the initial growth period, but during the next critical nutritional period as the chick emerges from the nest box and begins the process of weaning. It is during this time, as a result of increased activity, continued feather growth and diminished intake of food that growth curves show a decided drop off. Nearenberg et al., showed that food efficiency and body weight gain improved in 4 day old Cockatiel chicks fed 25% to 28% of their body weights per day. As the chicks grew, food intake decreased to about 15% of their body weight while food efficiency declined slightly. From 12 days to 3½ weeks when adequately fed, Cockatiel chicks reach peak body weight, there is a slight decline in food intake from 15% of body weight. As the crop capacity relative to body size decreases and passage of food into the gut is reduced there is a dramatic reduction in food intake to a level that is maintained until weaning. From the point that peak body weight occurs at 3 to 3½ weeks through weaning, when begging behaviour diminishes and less food is accepted, a number of chicks lose weight. Countering this period of diminished food intake and decreased food efficiency with an increase in the nutrient value of that food which is taken in, is extremely important. In a Grau and Roudybush study designed to determine the quantitative lysine requirements of young Cockatiel chicks based primarily on growth, newly hatched chicks were fed diets in which the pure amino acids were mixed in place of protein. The lysine content of this mix was then varied from 0.1% to 2.0%. Chick Growth The first part of the study followed the growth of chicks from hatching to 14 days in which 0.1%, 0.4%, 1.0% and 2.O% lysine levels were given to different groups. At the end of 14 days, the mean body weight by gram and survivability were as follows :- Of this group, the lowest level of lysine (0.1%) showed poor growth and high mortality. Not shown, but also significant, was the fact that feather growth of the survivors was poor. As the level of lysine was raised in the other groups, survivability was good and weight gain was progressively better up to 1.0%. Then there was a decline in weight of the 2.0% group. This was an initial indicator that 2.0% lysine was above the optimal level for growth. The second part of this study followed groups of chick's growth rates on 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8% and 1.2% lysine diets. The following table depicts mean body weight and survivability of each of these groups at day 28. Again, at the lowest level (0.2%), weight gain was slow and survivability poor. This group also showed poor feather growth. At moderate levels of lysine (0.4% to 0.6%) survivability jumped dramatically, as did weight gain. Feather growth did occur. At 0.8% the maximum growth and maximum survivability was attained. The drop off at 1.2% lysine, indicates, again, that this level is beyond the optimum. Based on this and the results of the first part of the study, it appears that the optimal level of lysine in a Cockatiel chicks diet falls somewhere between 0.8% and 1.1%. One other aspect of this study should be pointed out. Lysine deficiency effects the melanin formation in feathers of turkeys, chickens and quail, yet regardless of the level given to Cockatiels, melanin formation was not affected. While it is true that comparative studies of whole carcass amino acid composition of the chicken to the Budgerigar shows a similarity which may allow the use of some broiler requirements for growth, this is an excellent example of why it is difficult to rely on poultry nutrient requirements with any degree of confidence. Other Critical Periods Requiring Protein Supplementing There are other periods or times during the adult life cycle that supplementary protein feeding is important. The first is during and immediately following illness, when body weight has substantially dropped and energy demands, disease process and medications have depleted the bird's nutrient base. The second is during a moult. Feathers are composed of protein and just like the chicks; forces within the adult are competing for protein reserves available during new feather growth. The third is an environmentally related factor concerning seasonal changes. During periods of hot weather, when there is a corresponding decrease in food consumption as energy requirements are diminished, what food is eaten needs to be packed with nutrients. Note some information refering to chart need to accessed by reading the full article > Click here THE MASTERBREEDER <

"Protein - What Is It?" Proteins are essentially compositions of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, traces of other elements and differing combinations of amino acids, which are linked together into a long chain by peptide bonds. There are 22 different amino acids of which 12 can be made inside a Budgerigar's cells. Every body tissue and fluid with the exception of bile and urine contain proteins. However, because of the differing combinations of amino acids within a protein, those found in one tissue may vary greatly from those found in other tissues or fluids. A protein that contains adequate levels of all the amino acids are referred to as "complete" or "high quality" proteins, whereas those proteins which are deficient in one or more amino acids are termed "incomplete", "low quality" or "limiting" proteins. In other words, the protein quality describes the amount and proportion of essential amino acids in relation to a Budgerigars requirement for these amino acids. Why is this important? Proteins in the body are constantly being made and broken down. As mentioned, a Budgerigar can synthesise some amino acids from other amino acids but in order to do this, several "essential" amino acids, namely arginine, lysine, methionine, tryptophan, histidine, leucine, phenylalanine, treonine, valine and glycene must be present. The only source of these ten essential amino acids, is through the diet. As the body does not store these amino acids for later use, (they are passed through the kidney as waste within several hours) they must be present at the time other non-essential amino acids are introduced into the system in order for synthesis to occur. Additionally, if there is not enough energy supplied by the diet, these essential amino acids are then utilised for energy requirements instead of synthesis. In general, animal proteins are considered to be "high quality" proteins, while proteins from vegetable sources are felt to be "incomplete" or low quality (lacking one or more of the needed amino acids). For example, the amino acid strength of legumes are lysine and isoleucine while their weakness is limiting tryptophan and methionine. Of the other vegetables, tryptophan and lysine are strengths while weaknesses are isoleucine and methionine. Although we don't know all of the specific amino acid requirements for our birds, we do know that serious amino acid deficiencies and/or borderline amino acid deficiencies cause: Poor growth. Poor feather growth. Reduced egg size. Lack of melanin pigment in black-coloured feathers. Increased susceptibility to bacterial, viral and fungal disease. Decreased reproductive success. Increased body fat. High mortality. We are additionally aware that during certain life cycle processes there are increased requirements for intake of "high quality" protein. from THE MASTER BREEDER

"Budgerigar Nutrition"Theoretically, developing a nutritionally complete diet for the Budgerigar should be a relatively easy process of determining the nutritional value of foodstuff and then comparing the amounts of nutrients in the food with the bird’s requirements for those nutrients. In practice, however, this is not as easy as it would seem. Nutrient content of feeds vary greatly as a result of: Differences in soils where they are grown. Whether they have been fertilised or not. Storage conditions. Age when harvested and time since harvesting. Season in which they were harvested. At the same time, energy requirements of our birds vary based on: Activity. Body mass. Environmental temperature. Other nutrient requirements also fluctuate based on whether they meet: Maintenance needs. Growth needs. Reproductive needs. Rearing needs. Special needs brought about by moult or disease process. Finally, to complicate matters even further, optimum dietary levels of a number of nutrients have not yet been determined for Budgerigars. Pioneers of Nutrition In spite of these limiting factors, we now have more information from which to build a nutritionally complete diet than at any other time since the domestication of the Budgerigars. Pioneers in the field of nutrition such as Roudybush, Ziegler Bros., Lafeber and Purina have contributed immensely to the establishment of adequate and safe nutrient levels in the process of developing pelleted diets for psittacines. Commercial enterprises such as Vydex Ltd. and in addition, individually funded research projects conducted by veterinarians and college researchers have begun to define the optimal parameters of a nutritionally complete diet. While not all of this work has been specific to Budgerigars, a great deal has been. What has not been specific to Budgerigars has been directed toward parrots in general. For the first time we have a body of knowledge concerning nutritional requirements of a closely related family of birds (psittacines) and we are less reliant on figures extrapolated from poultry research in developing a Budgerigar diet. And yet, even as we speak of these enormous strides, there remains a poor availability of good diets in the Budgerigar hobby. Exotic birds, to include the Budgerigar, are the only group of domesticated animal or commercial livestock that are not fed commercially prepared diets based on known dietary needs on a routine basis. Pelleted and crumbled diets, which have been developed for the Budgerigar in an attempt to improve "delivery" of a predetermined balance of nutrients lack acceptance by the majority in the hobby. Obviously some of this reluctance to accept commercially prepared Budgerigar diets has been a result of an acknowledged lack of specific research on Budgerigar nutrition and reliance on poultry requirements by many of the commercial manufacturers. But even this has not been the real deterrent as a large number of knowledgeable breeders have routinely included commercially prepared turkey, game bird, and chicken crumbs in their custom soft food mixes with excellent results. No, the real reasons for a lack of acceptance go beyond this, and the responsibility lies not only with the aviculturist, but with the manufacturers. Competition In North America, over the past several years, there has been an intense competition between suppliers of both seed mixes and commercially prepared pelleted rations. Their advertisements, designed to entice the aviculturist to use their product, claim their diets are the only "complete" and/or "nutritionally balanced" one available. Unfortunately, most of these claims have been questionable and have lacked supporting research to substantiate them. On top of this, most of these formulations, especially of the prepared rations, have been cloaked in secrecy and lacked any published data which would assist the breeder in evaluating them in regard to how well they met known established daily requirements. In the absence of this data, aviculturists have been rightfully wary, thus their reliance on the already tested and accepted poultry industry formulations. A secondary reason has been cost. Some have argued that the cost of feeding pellets/crumbles for a moderate sized aviary of 100-150 birds is prohibitive. In spite of the industries rebuttal that because the pellets/crumbles are packed with nutrients and energy the quantity eaten to satisfy a birds daily nutritional requirements is much less than the total of seed and additives consumed to satisfy the same needs. The fact remains, that in comparison to poultry formulations they are expensive. Another valid argument, as to why acceptance has been slow, is that acceptance by the birds themselves has in the past been less than spectacular. Few will argue, that Budgerigars can be finicky eaters, especially older ones who over a life time have developed intense likes and dislikes for specific seeds that have been offered to them. As well, it can be said that the initial delivery system, that is, the pelleted shape and base ingredients used by the industry, were not always palatable or recognisable as a food form by the birds. Many early formulations that used Soya bean meal as a base ingredient to hold down costs, created wet, copious dropping which fouled the nest box and to some, made it appear that the bird had diarrhoea. While this is changing, field trials still indicate that while young birds more readily adapt, there is a percentage of birds in the flock, which remain resistant to the change and full conversion takes time. A Good Mix As stated, breeders have also shared in the responsibility for the lack of acceptance of commercially prepared feeds. Frankly, some of it has been an ignorance of the available products as well as an unrealistic insistence on the belief that Budgerigars only need "a good mix" of seed for their diet. One wonders, if commercially prepared diets were available during World War II when seed was scarce, whether this argument would still exist 50 years later. Still, others continue to argue that crumbled diets are "unnatural" and are not perfected. As proof that they are right, they ask, "How many breeders, who's birds are on the top bench, do you know that use commercial diets?" Interestingly, it is many of these same breeders who routinely use chick starter, game bird or turkey crumbs as part of their specially blended soft food mixes for breeding birds and growing chicks. In the interim, most pet owners continue to be guided in their feeding procedures by the personnel of the pet shop from whom they purchased their bird. For them, a traditional seed mix of canary/millet/groats. Mineral blocks, grit and cuttlebone form the basis of their bird’s diet. Among the beginning hobbyists, most are guided in their choice of diet by the individuals from whom they buy their initial breeding stock. Even here, where some attempt to provide a wider range of nutrients through custom seed mixes, perhaps supplemented with vitamins, mineral blocks, grit, and cuttlebone, the diets are only marginally better. Diets consisting of a variety of seeds, either mixed or fed individually, supplemented with vitamins and minerals, grit, the addition of vegetables and a custom blended mash for breeding pairs are the most widely used staples of the serious breeders. Yet, as balanced as these diets may appear on the surface, there remain a number of problems. The choice of supplements, for instance, most often have not been guided by a thorough scientific understanding of our birds daily requirements. Numerous breeders use vitamin and mineral premixes formulated for widely varied unrelated animal sources, such as human babies, horses, cattle and other domesticated farm animals. Nor do all of the birds eat a balanced portion of the feeds presented to them. No matter how well nutritionally balanced and impressive the variety of foods offered, they are of little value to our birds if they do not eat it. When asked how much, and what types of food a randomly selected bird eats from the assortment of foods offered to the flock, the breeder is unable to answer. And finally, those who do use commercial poultry rations as part of their diets do so with little knowledge of the ingredients, in both name and quantity. For instance, few recognise that chick starter contains a higher percentage of Calcium per kg than is healthy for growing Budgerigar chicks. Research We believe that commercially prepared, nutritionally complete diets will be the norm for future generations of Budgerigar breeders. Major manufacturers are presently conducting extensive nutritional research as related to Budgerigar diets. Results of trial tests on entire flocks of Budgerigars fed nothing but commercially prepared crumb diets are beginning to be published providing the aviculturist with the data previously unavailable. As these diets become more widely used and the competition between manufacturers for market shares increases, the product will become economically feasible for the larger breeding operations. The question is, "What do we do between now and then?" For one, we ought to take advantage of the wealth of knowledge that is presently available. Nutrition is the foundation upon which the health and development of the Budgerigar rests. The concepts of proper nutrition are not difficult to understand and if we are open to learning, all of the known nutrient requirements in their proper quantities can be incorporated into our present day feeding routine. Secondly, we need to re-examine our reliance on seed as the staple diet of the Budgerigar. Seeds present the greatest obstacle to feeding a balanced diet and no matter how much we would like to believe otherwise, no mix of seeds would ever present our birds with the nutrients they require. Thirdly, in the absence of pellets or crumbs, we need to develop a system of insuring that our birds are benefiting from their food source. They cannot simply be presented with a variety of food groups and then left on their own to select a proper nutrient mix. Each bite of food they take must be balanced in a complete nutritional format. The most effective means of doing this is through the development of a palatable, easily ingested and digested mash similar to the soft foods which breeders prepare for their breeding birds. Mashes such as these have been used in every major zoo throughout the world and form the basis for their psittacine's diets. And finally, we need to remain aware of and open to new information. Research in the area of Budgerigar nutrition is ongoing and new developments are taking place at a rapid pace, especially in the area of commercially produced diets. Not to incorporate these changes into our feeding program is foolish. Why for instance, do we continue to use prepared poultry, turkey and game bird crumbs in our soft food when there are now specifically formulated Budgerigar crumbs which more appropriately meet our needs? Toward these ends, the following Chapter is designed to educate you as to the nutrients, which form the basis of a well balanced diet. It will also inform you of the research regarding specific daily nutrient requirements, and give you the information needed to make informed decisions in building a basic Budgerigar mash diet. Extracts from "THE MASTER BREEDER"

Wayne some at my Club's Werbsite. Link to Pine Rivers BUdgerigar Society below

Thanks for that, I've never seen Snow..

Try this one it is the one I have.

You can talk to you ISP and see if an email account can be set up for her. Many ISP plans have multiple emails attached. I have 5 but we only use 4.

240 breeding cabinets make me curious.. Is this a process plant?

Hi Daz All the '08 bird shots are my hopefuls (all black rings). I don't think I've got as strong a showing this year as last year but maybe the lacewing will have an opportunity, the blue is a nice bird but I think his immaturity might let him down against birds bred early in the year. For this reason I am very much looking forward to the new ring issue date - it'll fit perfectly with our breeding season. Thanks JB! It's getting interesting now that we are only 7 weeks from Preselections and 8 weeks from the Nationals... We start to see different things with the birds.. Especially the tails.

:hap: It seems that i'll have a few visitors :hap:

Not a bad idea Kaz

Well Shannon, that is a pitty.... It comes to a point with every breeder when he has to decide to either breed for show or for the pet market. We need to be able to send our culls to market but not that young. By selling that young with the limited experience that you have, you haven't let the birds show their full potential. I still have many decades to go before I would have the experience to tell at that age what the outcome of a chick will be. I have Chicks in the Junior flight that are starting to mature into some very good birds. It is a joy to watch. I have 100 birds too many but would like them to develop more before making the decision to sell.

I have to agree Daryl, As stated you can have 12 x 7 points = 84 and still be in novice. I belive that when you join as a novice, it is a hard slog to get to the front bench but it is a great feelig when you do. So it should be the same as an intermediate. If you gain the points you go back to the bottom of the next level. Many don't want this. They want to get the birds up to a level that they can enter the level and continue to win. The other big flaw is that the show managers from many clubs don't forward the point through. So you can be denide being elevated due to incompitance. eg I don't know how many points I have at a number of clubs. I have asked but have received no answer. SCBA I have 6 points. I have done the time (2 years) and need 2 points to be elevated. Missed out last month but hope for it next time.

I would like to take this opertunity to address those that may be worried about the content of the questions. The main purpose of this thread to to show the ANSWERS that are being given to those that are trying to come to terms with looking after and breeding these beautiful birds. I, as do all the staff on BBC, enjoy the questions that are being asked no matter what the content. It is through the asking of questions and receiveing correct answers that we learn. Good education is the basis of this forum and will be so. It is a pitty that there are forums that allow this type answers that can be very detrimental to the birds.

Here is an extract from our rules. 10 SHOW POINTS / ELEVATIONS Only 1 point can be awarded to one exhibit at any show. (Club table shows do not count towards Show points) 10.1 (a In Nestfeather & Young Bird classes in Intermediate and Novice sections, a bird winning in a class of seven (7) or more exhibits benched and not less than four (4) exhibitors = 1 point. (b In Nestfeather & Young Bird classes in Intermediate and Novice sections a bird winning a colour award of Section between Cocks and Hens and being from seven (7) or more exhibits benched and not less than four (4) exhibitors = 1 point. (C Any bird winning Best Cock or Hen, or Best bird or Opposite Sex in their section regardless of age and number of exhibitors and entries benched will receive one point. 10.2 (a Any Novice exhibitor accumulating eight (8) points at any one society will be elevated to Intermediate Section provided a minimum of two (2) years has expired from date of joining an affiliated Club/Society/Association.. (b Any Intermediate exhibitor accumulating ten (10) points at this Society will be elevated to Open Section provided a minimum of three (3) years has expired. (c Any exhibitor who is elevated to a new status will be notified in writing and such elevation will take effect from 1st January of the following year. (d The Secretary or Show Manager/Secretary of the S.Q.B.B.A. Affiliated Society will duly record a tally of all show points gained by each exhibitor gained at each Society show for the show year. Written notification of elevations is required by S.Q.B.B.A Inc by November 30th each year. S.Q.B.B.A. Inc will notify all affiliated societies by December 31st each year of such elevations. 10.3 No Breeder / exhibitor may elevate themselves. All elevations must be in accordance with the fore- going clauses except where a partnership is formed. DEFINITIONS FOR SHOW RULES Colour Class: The allocated number according to the relevant show schedule a bird is to be exhibited in. e.g. Class 1 is for Light Green Cocks: Class 2 –Light Green Hens etc. Colour Awards: According to the society awards list. E.g. Best Green Normal would be awarded to the best bird from the Light Green, Dark Green, Olive Green and Greygreen Cocks and Hens exhibited in the section. Variety Award: All birds of the same variety comprising both sexes. e.g. Normals of both green and blue series for Best Normal Award. Section: Open: Intermediate: Novice: Junior: (Refer exhibitor status) Show Year: January 1st to December 31st in one calendar year. Nestfeather: Current year rung bird. Aged between approx. six to twelve weeks of age that is not displaying any of the following features: a. solid iris ring b. broken cap c. adult colouring on cere d. multiple pin feathers e. visible adult feathers in body or wing Young Bird: When birds have their full adult plumage. A bird will remain a young bird until 31st July the following year. E.g.a bird born on the first January 2004, and rung with a 2004 leg ring, may only be shown as a young bird from 1st August 2004 until 31st July 2005. As of the 1st August 2005, it becomes an Old Bird. Old Bird: Any bird rung with a previous years' ring (read description for Young Bird above). Young Birds cannot be exhibited in this class. Nestfeathers cannot be exhibited in this class. Any Age Bird: A combination of Young & Old Birds. Nestfeathers cannot be exhibited in this class. CHAMPION STATUS To gain champion status and be recognised as a Champion Breeder an exhibitor must gain fifteen (15) show points whilst exhibiting young birds in the Open section within a two year time frame commencing January 1st 2005 For the Champion Breeder to maintain this Champion Status the exhibitor must achieve five (5) show points whilst exhibiting young and any age birds in a single showing year. Show points to be gained as per show points system accumulated from affiliated societies of the S.Q.B.B.A. Inc. It is the exhibitor's responsibility to maintain the record of points gained. The points to be verified by the respective Club Show Manager/Secretary in a diary which will be submitted to S.Q.B.B.A. Inc Show Manager when the required points have been accumulated. An exhibitor failing to meet the champion criteria will automatically revert to open status. This champion status will not be another show section: it should be worked from points gained by exhibiting in the Open section. If clubs wanted to have awards for a champion section that would be up to the individual club.

Standardisation of the system would be fairer. Here in SQ if a bird wins best Young Skyblue cock and then wins best Skyblue and then wins Best Young bird novice and then wins Champion Young bird of show, it gets one point. So it is very difficult to move up the ranks.

Thanks Macka and Splat. I'll read up on your rules. In South Queensland you have to have 8 points at one club in 2 years to go from Novice to Intermediate. As we have 12 clubs, it can mean that you have 84 points in 3 years and still be a novice, so long as you only have a max of 7 points per club. The points are not accumulated. It is 10 points in 3 years from Intermediate to Open and then an interesting set up to be Champion.

Shannon What did you mean by " the best on died so i culled tham" ? Shannon I have had ordinary chicks win high awards at a latter time. I've also have outstanding chicks that didn't develop in to what I had hoped for. If you want to get involved in Showing budgerigars, you need to let the chicks develop. Many show breeders won't let a chick go untill they are about 10 months old.

Very nice Gina, any shots of last year's birds that might get into this year's team?

Splat can you explain what system there is in Victoria.. I am always interested in the differences around the states.

Hi Shell DF Grey to SF Grey will give 50% DF Greys and 50% SF Greys. Yellowface is a dominant so you will get 50% Yellowface and 50% normal. The DF Greys will look the same as the SF but will throw all SF Greys when pairs to normals.

Shannon, that was fast. They were only 8 - 9 weeks old. If your going to get into show birds, you need to let them mature.

'd put some awnings over the windows to protect against the rain. You can see some in my old photos... I'll try to dig some up.