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We hope that as many of our members as possible will consider writing a short article for this page. The leading contribution plus the book reviews were written by our former secretary, Paul Burke, who although only 13 years old, took on the cares of office for the society. Not only did he become secretary, but he built our first website and much of the information contained in these pages was compiled by Paul. He has now, unfortunately, left the fancy, to concentrate on his studies. We wish him well and hope to welcome him back when he has achieved his initial aims.

       CLICK THE TITLE OF YOUR CHOICE  TO VISIT IT.

1.  SHOW PREPARATION  ... by Paul Burke

2.   A VISIT TO THE WASHINGTON MULTI-PURPOSE CENTRE .... by Dave Herring

3.   THE PET BREEDERS' REGISTER .... Dave Herring
 

1.  Show Preparation  ... by Paul Burke

The process which a breeder goes through about 3-4 weeks before the show is called dressing. Many fanciers including myself start the dressing process at around ten weeks before the show.

I start the process at ten weeks by spraying the team which I have picked every week. this ensures good feather condition for the show bench. At three weeks I remove and unwanted feathers from the mask to create 'the necklace' of six spots, four main and two tucked under the cheek patch. The ideal bird shows that the cheeks are desired to be round and in proportion to the face, so choosing the right ones is vital; however if you remove the spots at three months and you make a mess of it then the spots will grow back within six weeks so you will have plenty of time to try again.

Another good technique which I find useful  is to get your birds at around two to four weeks before the show and wash them in 'Johnson's Baby Shampoo'. You do this by getting a soft haired shaving foam brush then mixing a shampoo and LUKEWARM water solution in a bowl then simply applying a good amount of the solution all into the birds feathers: making sure that you clean the vent thoroughly as you don't want your bird to lose due to an unclean vent.  After you have washed all of the birds body (including underneath the wings) you can get a LUKEWARM bowl of fresh clean water and simply submerse the birds body (leaving the head above the water at a safe height as illustrated) and wiping off the shampoo whilst doing so. Then remove the bird once all of the shampoo is removed and dry it on a reasonably warm cloth. After the bird has dried you will see a fantastic difference, especially in the albino's.

If one of your birds has got blood anywhere on its body from where it has maybe caught itself or been in a fight or maybe one of it's head (pin) feathers has been pulled then you will have to remove the bird from it's cage and get a small amount of COLD water, it must be cold because warm or even lukewarm water makes the stain stick and if this is a show bird especially you do not want that, it is basically just like if you iron a stain in you can't get it out. 

So when you have got your COLD water get the bird so that it does not squirm or wriggle when you are applying the water. Then you need to rub your finger in the water and then straight onto the birds head do not rub repeatedly as this will smudge the stain and this is the last thing that you want. it is best to catch the blood when it is fresh as it rinses away quite easily. After you have bathed the birds bloody spot put it in a training cage and give it a good spray with clean water, this can be lukewarm as spraying a bird with cold water is not recommended. Give the bird an hour to dry and you will see a dramatic difference, however if it has pulled its main flights on its wings away it will have to stay in the stock cage for a week or to and then be introduced into the flight. The feathers on the wings usually grow back within six weeks but in most circumstances you can't exhibit a bird with missing flights although it has been done if the feathers are balanced but The Sunderland Budgerigar Society advise against this as it could be classed as a form of cheating, because your bird is not complete.

                                                                                                                                                       Paul Burke

 

The Budgerigar Man By Roy Stringer

I believe that this book is a masterpiece that is a tribute to the genius that was Harry Bryan. The reason I like the book so much is because of it has the ability to portray a life times work which was Harry Bryans life. This book proves, like so many Fanciers already know that Harry Bryan was a true genius in his own rights, the book also contains themed to know facts that all budgerigar fanciers wish to find out about. I saw this book as being an inspiration to all budgerigar fanciers alike as it is a smart, catchy and Informative book which is a must For the beginner to the champion. Unfortunately Harry passed away some time ago however, he is remembered as being the master of the budgerigar fancy, winning the world championship show 27 times in 29 years. It is an achievement to win the show once, but Harry kept on firing the quality stock out and winning on the show bench.

The Challenge By Gerald S. Binks

When I read this fantastic book my whole concept of the budgerigar fancy changed. I realized that this fancy is more than a hobby, it is an obsession, it just takes over peoples lives. Gerald Binks really is a master craftsman. I have heard fanciers relate to this masterpieces ‘THE BIBLE’, because if you ever Have any problems in your shed you simply open the book and all of the information you need is right before your eyes. This book is huge it is just over A4 size and Has 214 pages of solid budgerigar facts, pictures and helpful Information, which shows just how much Gerald Binks loves his hobby.I feel that Gerald Binks has accomplished what most of us could not achieve in a lifetime in the space of 60 mind-blowing years. This book unfortunately went out of print a few months back due to ridiculous printing charges which were requested from Gerald.  

( Please note that the second edition of The Challenge has now been published. Full details can be found on Gerald's site www.budgerigar.co.uk  )

Best In Show By Gerald .S. Binks

When I read this book for the first time, it screamed out quality, this book is my bible and unlike the challenge which was Gerald's second masterpiece, it is small, compact and a truly great read. I would recommend this book to you because I genuinely think that it is a work of avicultural art, conducted by the best breeder of exhibition budgerigars since Harry Bryan that has ever lived, he has showed us all that he is worthy of this by winning the world shows with truly remarkable birds. The only other two fanciers who are and were on his level of success and knowledge of a good exhibition budgie, are Harry Bryan and Jo Mannes. Gerald Binks' stock is mixed with Mannes, Moffat and Binks' birds, this wonderful mixture has led him on to greatness on the show bench. Gerald Binks is a truly remarkable man and will always be known for his encouragement, kindness and of course his birds.

Paul Burke

 

2.   A VISIT TO THE WASHINGTON MULTI-PURPOSE CENTRE

To extract a short quote from the Website of the Washington Multi Purpose Centre, in Ayton Road, Washington, " In the region of 130 adults use the centre each week. Individuals attend between 1 and 5 days, depending upon assessed needs. The day centre provides for adults with a wide range of learning disabilities. Whilst opportunities at the Centre include art, woodwork, car restoration, textiles gardening and computing, the Day Centre Manager has long been keen to offer more structured learning activities

In the early months of 2003, the Sunderland Budgerigar Society was contacted by its manager, Barrie Mitchinson as they had built an aviary and were looking for advice as to the management of it. A small sub-committee from the Sunderland B.S took the matter in hand, and after an advisory initial visit, appealed to local members for birds to help stock the aviary. The appeal resulted in a fairly mixed collection of budgerigars being presented by our members to the centre.

On Thursday, 11th March two of the original party Joe Staples (our retiring Secretary), John Herring (Chairman) and I accepted a standing invitation to visit the centre to check their progress.

We were welcomed by Don Kynoch who took us into a lounge in the Ayton suite, near to the spot where the aviary is sited. The lounge contained a large ornate cage; in it were three budgies, which are the much-pampered pets of the residents, who have mental or physical special needs. Don apologised that the two people support staff members who could give us most information, Sid Tonkinson and Sandra Egan, were not available at present - they were away purchasing vital stores and equipment for the aviary.

Don was, however, able to give us more information as to how the aviary came to be built: it apparently started with the erection of a dovecote ( a fine structure which we saw , along with its residents, when we Joe Staples (our retiring Secretary), John Herring (Chairman) and I accepted a standing invitation to visit the centre to check their progress.
first arrived at the centre). This venture complete, one of the centre's regular users commented that he had formerly kept budgerigars and it would be good if they could have an aviary there. The idea was taken up and enquiries were made of various sources as to what would be the best design for their needs.
This careful study resulted in the construction of an birdroom of about 12' x 8' which gives on to a covered flight of 4' x 8' in size.The birdroom includes four generously proportioned breeding/stock cages, and there is an inside flight which gives directly on to the outside flight. Perching in the flights is of branches from apple trees, which need to be regularly replaced but from which the birds derive great enjoyment.

The breeding programme for this year has not started yet - they wait for the warmer weather, although there is some heating in the birdroom, which keeps conditions very comfortable for visitors and those who look after the stock. Don told us, however, that they had bred a good number of chicks since they started - they have lost count of the number; the residents insisted on giving the youngsters names as they arrived - the first being named Ainsley, (after Harriott ?) which found a good home, as do most of the youngsters, with one of the centre users who are non-resident. We were shown a photograph of the bird, with its owner (now sadly deceased) and he was obviously a much-loved pet.

I certainly gained the impression that interest in this project over the intervening months has grown rather than diminished, and that there is always a waiting list for pets, and a steady stream of visits and enquiries about the birds from centre users from other parts of this site. The breeding season supplies additional impetus to this interest (as it does with all budgerigar breeders), and there is no shortage of volunteers to attend to their care. The fact that there is always someone on hand with true expertise adds to the security and excellent care that the stock receives.

The death of a bird is always a cause of sadness, but nothing gives rise more to consternation when one "flies the coop" - probably all bird fanciers have suffered this experience and it is not a pleasant one. Such occurred here not so long ago, when a bird which was being handled flew away and over the rooftops. Rather unusually, however, they managed to retrieve it and, fortunately, nothing like that has happened again.

It was good to observe the fine work that this centre is doing generally and to see how well the particular project with which we are involved has developed here, and we were happy to promise that we will return again in three or four months to, hopefully, see some of this years youngsters, and discuss husbandry methods with Sid and Sandra. We were left with the feeling that the management of Washington Multi Purpose Centre is providing something that other centres may also be keen to emulate. If so, I would be pleased to hear from anyone who wishes to become involved in a similar project and they may contact me on 0191-5673933, or by
e-mail at david.herring@ukonline.co.uk
Anyone interested in reading more about the work of the Washington Multi Purpose Centre may also wish to visit the website.

3.                                                    Buy British Pets campaign

 

Just imagine that you are :-

a)  a Pet Breeder who no longer has the luxury of one local outlet for his surplus birds, young and old, and does not know how to sell that surplus

b)  One of the few pet shop owners who 1) can see a gap in the market caused by the large chains giving up selling small livestock, and/or

                                                                                             2) does not know whether it will be  worth trying  to start selling budgies because he/she does not know where  those birds will come from  – a steady supply is important to most.

c)  someone who is looking for a pet of some kind, thinks a budgie ‘might be nice’ (perhaps owned one as a child) but does not know where to get one from

d)  someone who might be tempted to breed budgies if he/she thought that there would not be a problem trying to sell any surplus  ……..

 

Perhaps by now, most people will know that the Budgerigar Society has been conscious, for some time, that there is an urgent need to raise the profile of the budgerigar fancy at large as well as to attract new members to budgerigar society life.  I am one of those fanciers who has written on a number of occasions about our need to get out and about more and tell other folk what a marvellous hobby we have: I am sure that many of our fellow fanciers have not fully grasped the fact that the vast majority of folk outside our fancy do not know that there are such people as budgerigar breeders.

  Not convinced? Here’s a recent experience of mine which illustrates the point :- 

        I went into my local hardware shop recently and bought a pack of pets’ sawdust/shavings. The lady who served me asked me what pets I had and I replied  “ Budgies – about 200 of ‘em ” . She was literally astonished to hear about anyone who breeds budgies and admitted that she only knew that “You buy them from pet shops”. I asked her how she thought they got into pet shops ? –the penny dropped! I then pointed out that this is becoming increasingly more difficult for folk to find pet birds (true) and this point was taken; she admitted that she did not know, for certain, of any local pet shops which still sell pet budgerigars, and therefore –if she did want a pet budgie- she would not know where to find one.

 

        Just as the fancy started for many of us with interest in pet budgerigars, for whatever reason, it follows that demand for these will continue to fall if folk simply stop hearing about these delightful pets and/or cannot find anywhere to buy them. We need to create a reliable central point of information on to which breeders, whether or not they are members of any society, can add their names and to which pet shops or individual would-be purchasers can go to find out who in their locality is likely to have pet birds, or birds to breed pet birds, etc, can go.

       ..….And what about folks’ fears about bird flu’, psittacosis, and such problems ?  In the light of recent concerns felt by people from all sections of the community and worries about the large influx of unringed budgerigars which are reaching the market from overseas,  part of the Budgerigar Society’s campaign is to try to persuade everyone that their best security lies in acquiring only British Bred Budgies wearing closed, coded rings, which are used by members of the Budgerigar Society and its Area societies, OR a similar “Pets” Closed Coded Ring which will not be confused with standard Budgerigar Society rings, which are available only to bona-fide members of those societies. Both the “BS” ring and the “Pets” rings are designed as an excellent means of identifying the provenance of birds wearing these rings. Additionally, if any bird ringed in this way becomes infected and dies, we will be able to trace its breeder and possibly subsequent owners, with a view to reducing as quickly as possible the risk of any spread of “the pestilence”. 

        This is where the idea of a Pet Breeders’ Register comes in. The Budgerigar Society hopes to do something to make budgies easy to find for all concerned – budgies on your doorstep, you might say!

           We are therefore in the course of preparation of a Register of British Pet Breeders to be developed and held on the society’s website for easy accessibility, and this register is designed to list breeders Area by Area. Initially, we invite any members of the Budgerigar Society to submit their names for inclusion on this register, if they are interested in the pet side of the fancy. After the initial stages are safely negotiated, the register will become available to ALL breeders of budgerigars! That’s right, ALL fanciers, whether or not they are members of the BS, Area Society, local society or, indeed, any such organisation at all. Registration on the site will be available free to all BS members.  Non-member pet breeders will be asked to pay a nominal registration fee, yet to be confirmed but probably of £5 per year to cover maintenance costs etc.

           The committee hopes that this register will become THE focal point for all fanciers and other folk who want to buy and/or sell pet budgerigars for any reason. It will however, only work if everyone who has any interest in budgerigars, however slight that interest is, becomes aware of the presence of this facility. This is where we can all play a part.  We need to get images of budgerigars, and perhaps budgerigar breeders (to show that budgerigar breeders are ordinary folk, from all walks of life) in front of people in “the outside world” at every possible opportunity. This involves getting Information Stands out to as many local events as we can. Such ventures could incorporate advertising our own local societies –something which will help to get local club members working together- and fund-raising events, if so wished, but the main aim is to tell folk about budgerigar breeding as a hobby, and yes, showing them that this great hobby is well organised through our parent body, so that no one need feel isolated within that hobby – help will always be at hand. Part of this includes making the point that the hobby of budgerigar breeding is there for all the family, if all such family members are interested, so that Budgerigar Events can be a Great Day Out for all.  Fanciful?  Yes, perhaps, but surely worth a try to raise our fancy to a higher level.

          So, what can we have on those Information Stands?  This is something which we have been working on; it is generally held to be a good thing if stands have items which can be given away, and this may include such things as printed pens, balloons and the like.  We are also working with other practical and colourful items, and one of these is a series of Top of Desk items which would carry one of a variety of logos/slogans  to advertise our fancy on one side, while having something like the current year’s calendar or a Seven Year calendar of Sunday dates on the desk side.

       Similar Calendars have been designed for distribution to Pet shops or any public place which may care to exhibit/use them.       Posters, of course are another excellent way of getting our message across. There is a wide range of these items, and can address the setting of  the Pet Breeders Register, or any other aspects of our fancy – for example, local meetings and shows, at the same time advertising the details of the Budgerigar Society Office. They will offered either in a form which can be amended by computer to show additional information such as local society details – meeting nights, contacts, etc, or in a version with blanks to which text can be added manually. All we ask in using these items is that the BS details remain in place.

        Incidentally the posters, wall calendars and the like can be produced at any size – they can even by reduced to Business Card size so one side can be printed with one’s own address and such details. Some fanciers may like to keep a supply to hand to give to fellow fanciers, potential customers, work colleagues and the like.

        Finally (so far)  we have transmitted these images on to a postcard format. These can be used by societies to send out notices of meetings/ speakers/special events etc and also for notifications to the local press etc, about forthcoming meetings/events. The fact of them being pre-printed on the one side with details of  the B.S as parent body may, with some, helped to raise the profile of the local society. Additionally, some can/will be printed with only the normal address side, like a holiday postcard, for folk to purchase and send as they wish. We hope that recipients of these cards, particularly fanciers, will be persuaded to display the cards (picture side, of course) in the window of their house/car local shop or wherever it may catch the eye of the public. If sufficient of us can display any of this merchandise, a lot more folk will soon know about our hobby and, who knows, decide to give it a try for themselves

   At present these are items produced by us in order to demonstrate the concept, but I know that they can be far more effectively, professionally, designed and produced to better serve needs. If we can all get behind this campaign, we should all feel the consequential benefit. It’s up to Me, You, and ‘the others’ !!

 

 

Dave Herring

Budgerigar Society Publicity Officer.

 

 

 

 

 

Please follow this link to our gallery of budgerigar related photographs, which are talked about within this site.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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For further info or to advertise on this space please E-Mail david.herring@ukonline.co.uk
Last updated: May 31, 2008 02:53