Aviary visits have always been an important part of the hobby. They provide an opportunity to see how another breeder approaches their birds, pick up ideas that might be adapted at home, talk through breeding decisions and, perhaps most importantly, spend a few hours simply enjoying the company of fellow fanciers away from the competition of the show bench. Tony and Angela once again provided exactly that environment.

Those who made the trip were treated to plenty of food, plenty of conversation and an opportunity to have a good look around the birds and facilities. Auburn also provided a perfect setting for the day, sitting at the gateway to the Clare Valley and making the drive north well worth the effort. The guest speaker for the day was BCSA Life Member Nigel Tonkin, who shared some of the knowledge accumulated over many years breeding, exhibiting and judging budgerigars. Nigel’s presentation covered several practical aspects of breeding and management, with plenty for both experienced breeders and newer members of the hobby to take away. Among the subjects discussed was the challenge of maintaining a neat backline and secondaries through selective breeding. These are characteristics that can sometimes receive less attention than features such as head quality, width or size, but they remain important components in producing a balanced, well-presented exhibition budgerigar. Nigel discussed the importance of recognising these features when selecting breeding birds rather than allowing faults to become established within a family.

The discussion also moved into the effective and responsible use of antibiotics, an increasingly important subject for all bird keepers. Good management is not simply about having treatments available when something goes wrong; it is also about understanding when treatments are appropriate and avoiding unnecessary use. Feeding and water management were also covered, providing another reminder that many of the biggest improvements within an aviary do not necessarily come from complicated changes. Consistency, cleanliness and sensible management remain the foundations upon which successful breeding programs are built.

Days such as these are valuable because there is rarely one single way to manage a budgerigar stud. Hearing how experienced breeders approach particular problems allows members to compare those ideas with their own methods and decide what might work within their individual aviaries.

Our sincere thanks go to Tony and Angel for once again opening their home and aviary and for their outstanding hospitality throughout the day. Thanks also to Nigel Tonkin for giving his time and sharing his knowledge with everyone in attendance, and to the Port Pirie Budgerigar Society for organising another successful day.

Looking Ahead

September begins with plenty happening at the Budgerigar Society of South Australia, with the Club holding its monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 1. This month’s program has a particular focus on helping the newer members of the hobby, with Novice members encouraged to arrive armed with three questions on any aspect of budgerigars or the hobby. Moderator Sue Adams will direct those questions to the Club’s Open and Intermediate members, drawing on the collective experience of the BSSA “brains trust”. It should make for an entertaining and, more importantly, educational evening. One of the great advantages of a session like this is that there is rarely only one answer to a budgerigar question. Ask five experienced breeders about pairing birds, feeding, feather problems, breeding preparation or managing youngsters and there is every chance you will hear several different approaches. That is precisely where the value lies. Rather than simply being told there is one correct method, newer breeders can hear how different fanciers have approached the same issue, why they made those decisions and what has worked, or perhaps not worked, in their own aviaries.

The evening will also feature another instalment of the BSSA’s popular Member on the Couch series. This time George England will be asking the questions, with Patrick O’Rourke taking his turn on the couch. Patrick is a Novice breeder on the rise, having recently won Best Novice in Show at the North East and BSSA Shows.  The segment has provided members with an opportunity to learn a little more about the people behind the birds, how they became involved in budgerigars, the breeders and birds that have influenced them, their successes, mistakes and ambitions within the hobby.

With the combination of the Novice Knowledge session and Member on the Couch, there should be plenty of reason to get along on Tuesday night.

Looking slightly further ahead, we are expecting the North East Mega Event to return during September, coinciding with hand over at the North East Budgerigar Society’s monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 9. The Mega Events have become an interesting addition to the local calendar and we will bring you further information as it becomes available.