Dickiebirds

Well, it's that time of the year again, so far 36 chicks rung and hopefully a couple of nice ones. Personally it's been a busy time over Christmas and New Year, as most of you know I run the Scottish Budgerigar Society Website, which I am pleased to say is going from strength to strength. As time goes on more and more clubs/breeders are becoming involved and contributing. If you haven't had a look yet please do, the link is on the links page.

I've decided to change the flight area this year, as the birds weren't utilising it the way I'd hoped, so, instead of the perspex roof (great for light, but, was like a greenhouse in the summer)we have enclosed and lined the outdoor flight, but have retained the frontage to allow air and light, but, enabling us to close it off in bad weather. It has been fully fitted with lighting and much more perching than before. We have opened up the indoor flight by cutting away the seperating wall and now have one very large indoor flight area, allowing the birds more room to fly back and forth.

I will put pictures on later.

I wish everyone a successful breeding season and look forward to seeing you all at the shows.

Honor

Well, as I said in my last blog, it's been one of those years, however it's been a good one budgie wise.

Although I've bred a few that were only any good for pets, overall I've seen an increase in the quality of the birds produced. In fact the birds have bred some of the biggest chicks I've ever had, now whether that is down to my skill in picking the right mix of birds or just beginners luck, we shall see! Unfortunately not until next year.

Win wise, I've been very pleased with my results this year and finally won a Best Beginner Young bird with a normal, although I had to wait until the very last show of the Scottish calendar to do it. (Dumfries and Galloway) I found this year that the birds took longer than normal to come into condition. I've done very well with Texas Clearbodies (those funny things as Donald Burnett calls them) this year and hopefully my pairings will only improve them again in 2009, I would really like to get as close to the colour standards for them as possible. I have noticed an increase in the number of breeders keeping and showing them, maybe they will be the next spangle. (Who knows)

I would like to wish everyone a very good breeding season in 2009 and will see you all next year.

Well, it has been a while since I last did an update, I lost my best friend to cancer, I was involved in a car crash, so I'm afraid that I neglected the site, apologies to all, will try and keep it updated from now on.

Well the new show season is almost upon us, are you ready for it? I have a couple of chicks that I'm hoping will be ready, but, may have to rely on the any age classes for the first show.

I don't know if anyone else is having the same problem, but, my birds seem to be very slow in moulting.

Since my last update my number of chicks rung has risen to 177, I have seen a rise in the quality of the chicks produced this year, compared to last year, but, are they good enough to win???????? That is the big question.

I am pleased to say that the SBS Site is beginning to take off, with more and more members and clubs sending articles and photos. My thanks to all that have contributed so far, but as always I'm looking for more. (Typical Woman I hear you say, never satisfied) In this instance no, I'm not, I want the SBS website to be one of the best area sites, just like the magazine. So to all those that have yet to contribute, "get a move on".

My best wishes to all that look at my site and all the very best for the coming show season.

Honor

Well, the breeding season is coming along, 60 chicks rung to date and a good few still to go, plus a few nests with full eggs. Quite pleased with some of the chicks so far, definitely an improvement on last year, show winners???? We will just have to wait and see.

I've also been busy doing a website for The SBS, please take the time to have a look and let me know what you think? What would you like to see added? I want to make it a site for all Scottish fanciers to enjoy, from the ranks of juniors up to champions. I am hoping that this will supplement the excellent magazine already produced and I would like to thank Robert Nawarauckas for his help and all fanciers so far that have supplied photo's etc.

Best wishes to all and will see you at the shows.

Honor 

Well breeding is going ok. I have about 12 that had to be rung with 2007 rings and so far have rung another 15 with 2008 rings.

I am pleased with the late breds, some of them are turning out to be nice chicks, the 2008 are coming along nicely too. We've finally conceded to using the extra space of the stock/breeding cages. Some of the birds were bouncing. Willie has started to make some nest boxes and the first 2 have gone down favourabley with the hens, here's hoping for full eggs.

Honor

Well, I've started my breeding for the 2008 season,I've paired up 9 pairs, but I'm going to split 2 of them, as I've seen more action watching paint dry

I do however have my first 7 youngsters, 4 spangles ( 3 double factor) 1 normal grey  and 2 albinos. As we all know this is only the start of the journey, getiing fertile eggs is great, but they've got to hatch successfully and then grow, hopefully fledging a healthy chick and maybe a winner I'm looking forward to the next season,I enjoy the hobby, I've made lots of new friends ( hopefully) or maybe they just tolerate me

I wish everyone a good breeding season, lots of eggs (full ones) and a few winners, I've got to get a turn

Best Wishes to all

Honor