I was wondering what people on here thought about pulling the feathers of show birds to create the clear spots.

 

Is this something that is done with every mutation of budgie or is it only nessary in some types.

 

Also how much pain and distress does this cause the birds?

 

And what would happen if you entered a bird with unclear spots?

 

Cheers

Meg

I don't know everything about this but it doesn't hurt a bird, it's like you pulling out hairs with tweezers, if pulled in the same direction of growth it doesn't hurt. I believe any bird/mutation gets this done.

 

And a bird entered with out the dressed spots get marked down for poor feather marks.

Edited May 24, 200717 yr by Nerwen

It is also best to do this over a couple of days so as not to stress the birds and also so the "good feathers" you want to keep do not fall out also. HOWEVER, a few show breeder prefer to cut feathers rather than pull.

If a bird is being shown and it is down to choosing the best out of two very good birds, and one has been "de-spotted" and the other not, chances are the depotted bird may win over the other as it has been "prepared" for show by its breeder.

Edited May 24, 200717 yr by Kaz

Aunty.If you are in a club.Some of the senior breeders,will show you how to despot & If I was you

I would pratice on some birds, that you are not going to show.If you pull the wrong spot it dosent matter.

But get ome one to show you first.

I would agree with all the above. I de-spotted some birds that I benched earlier this year after being shown how to do it by a senior breeder. I found the birds were fine with it. I did mine over a three day period so as not to disturb the area too much and, as Kaz pointed out, so the bird wouldn't drop feathers that needed to be there. It was much easier to do than I had anticipated and, as with everything, practice makes perfect.

 

 

Feathers.

as the above really do it over a few days be carefull as you can bruise the bird and this will cause other feathers to fall out and you can bet the spots you want leaving if you can i would cut the feathers instead of pulling this has a couple of advantages firstly it will last all season (show) so it is only done once secondly if you do it rite it makes the mask look fuller i would use the spring loaded scissers the ones that stop open with a small spring and you close to cut

I have to do my Skyblue Cock bird this October.