Post by Marianne Marlow on Nov 26, 2011 17:14:13 GMT
Anthony Brain
Beginner Breeder and Exhibitor from Oxford UK.
Q.When did you first start to become interested in budgies and what sparked it off?
A. It started when I was about 10 or 11 years old , a friend’s father kept them (I think his name was Fowler). Saw he setup and wanted to keep them. Then at the age of 16 went off and joined the army returned when I was 40. My father who had taken over the keeping of the birds still had a few let but could no longer really look after them. I took over the bug took hold again. I then went online and discovered The Budgerigar Forum (ahh memories) which introduced me to exhibition birds, knew I needed to get me some of them.
Q.What did your first Aviary/Breeding room look like?
A .My current setup was my first following the long break, it’s a self built (not very well) shed 2m x 2m inside flight and currently six breeding cages and a small nursery cage. It has lighting, radio and heating. Should have added an outside flight this year but not had the time.
Q. Where and when did you acquire your first birds?
A. Apart from those of Mr Fowler, my first birds came from Lorna Peterson back in 2009, then acquired my main birds from Mr Rick Watts.
Q. Do you still have birds from these bloodlines?
A. I should hope so.
Q.Which Bloodlines have given you the most impact on your stud?
A.Mr Watts, but still early days for me.
Q. Do you have a specific way of preparing your birds for the breeding season?
A. I keep the birds in the main flight for as long as possible. When I think they are coming into condition they are moved to the breeding cage, both cock and hen are moved at the same time. I do trim and pluck the vent area of both birds. The nest box is attached to the cage but kept close for the first couple of days before being opened. At this point I start adding super breeding to the soft food and increase the access to millet.
Q. Do you pair your birds by Visual appearance/Bloodline or both?
A. Visual mainly, do check blood line but my setup is still quite small so sort of know most of them still.
Q.What are your views on pairing up related birds? Have you had any success with this?
A. I will pair up related birds if they will give me something I need; I currently have a father daughter down in order to set my lacewing line. Keeping good records allows me to then ensure the off spring are not bred with anything closely related.
Q.How many chicks and clutches are your birds allowed?
A. Normally two rounds, may look to change this has I have one hen who seems to enjoy breeding and is always chasing cocks. This sort of hen may benefit from being kept on a bit longer
Q. What differences are there in your feeding programme in the breeding and non-breeding seasons?
A. Mainly the supplements I use and the amount of millet provided. Otherwise the birds always have access to soft food, unless they are part of the show team.
Q.What would you change about your set up if you had the chance (and infinite money to do so?)
A.I would go large, although would need to balance this with time to manage it.
Q.Do you believe in preventative medication? If so what do you use?
A. Yes I do, and the best preventative medication is good stock management not drugs. Keep them clean and always have fresh water. I do de-worm them about twice a year and drop of anti-mite before they go into the breeding cage and when they come out.
Q. How do you deal with birds with feather disorders?
A. I only have one bird like this so far, might use him as he has a good head and lots of spots. I know the pair that produced this pair and so will make sure he doesn’t go back into that line. Also will put a note of the records of any birds produced.
Q. Do you have a favourite mutation or variety?
A.Opaline.
Q.Who do you admire most in the hobby?
A. Those people who are the backbone turn up week in and week out for their club(s) do lots of different roles and who without I would not have a hobby.
Q. What was the best bird you ever bred?
A. Not bred that many yet, will tell you after the High Wycombe show this weekend.
Q. What was the best bird that you have seen from someone else's stud?
A. Rick Watts Blue.
Q. What is the most important piece of advice you could give a beginner just starting out in the hobby?
A. Enjoy it it’s a hobby not a job, and join a club we spend to long alone in our sheds get out and enjoy the social side of the hobby, this includes showing.
Q. What more do you believe we can do to promote the hobby?
A. We need to identify who our target audience is in our core membership. The hobby requires time and a certain amount of disposable income. This is bound to be a slightly older membership, this should not be seen as a bad thing we are living older so get them when they start looking for something to fill their time or they’ll start playing golf.
Q. What do you enjoy most about the hobby? Are you still as enthusiastic as when you first started?
A. I really enjoy the show side, getting out and meeting other like minded people talking birds and see how my decision have faired against my peers.
Q.We would appreciate some photographs of yourself, your birds and perhaps your set-up.
A. So would I.
Thanks Anthony
Best Beginner Young Bird 2011-Anthony Brain
©2006 barrieshuttbudgerigars S3872.
Beginner Breeder and Exhibitor from Oxford UK.
Q.When did you first start to become interested in budgies and what sparked it off?
A. It started when I was about 10 or 11 years old , a friend’s father kept them (I think his name was Fowler). Saw he setup and wanted to keep them. Then at the age of 16 went off and joined the army returned when I was 40. My father who had taken over the keeping of the birds still had a few let but could no longer really look after them. I took over the bug took hold again. I then went online and discovered The Budgerigar Forum (ahh memories) which introduced me to exhibition birds, knew I needed to get me some of them.
Q.What did your first Aviary/Breeding room look like?
A .My current setup was my first following the long break, it’s a self built (not very well) shed 2m x 2m inside flight and currently six breeding cages and a small nursery cage. It has lighting, radio and heating. Should have added an outside flight this year but not had the time.
Q. Where and when did you acquire your first birds?
A. Apart from those of Mr Fowler, my first birds came from Lorna Peterson back in 2009, then acquired my main birds from Mr Rick Watts.
Q. Do you still have birds from these bloodlines?
A. I should hope so.
Q.Which Bloodlines have given you the most impact on your stud?
A.Mr Watts, but still early days for me.
Q. Do you have a specific way of preparing your birds for the breeding season?
A. I keep the birds in the main flight for as long as possible. When I think they are coming into condition they are moved to the breeding cage, both cock and hen are moved at the same time. I do trim and pluck the vent area of both birds. The nest box is attached to the cage but kept close for the first couple of days before being opened. At this point I start adding super breeding to the soft food and increase the access to millet.
Q. Do you pair your birds by Visual appearance/Bloodline or both?
A. Visual mainly, do check blood line but my setup is still quite small so sort of know most of them still.
Q.What are your views on pairing up related birds? Have you had any success with this?
A. I will pair up related birds if they will give me something I need; I currently have a father daughter down in order to set my lacewing line. Keeping good records allows me to then ensure the off spring are not bred with anything closely related.
Q.How many chicks and clutches are your birds allowed?
A. Normally two rounds, may look to change this has I have one hen who seems to enjoy breeding and is always chasing cocks. This sort of hen may benefit from being kept on a bit longer
Q. What differences are there in your feeding programme in the breeding and non-breeding seasons?
A. Mainly the supplements I use and the amount of millet provided. Otherwise the birds always have access to soft food, unless they are part of the show team.
Q.What would you change about your set up if you had the chance (and infinite money to do so?)
A.I would go large, although would need to balance this with time to manage it.
Q.Do you believe in preventative medication? If so what do you use?
A. Yes I do, and the best preventative medication is good stock management not drugs. Keep them clean and always have fresh water. I do de-worm them about twice a year and drop of anti-mite before they go into the breeding cage and when they come out.
Q. How do you deal with birds with feather disorders?
A. I only have one bird like this so far, might use him as he has a good head and lots of spots. I know the pair that produced this pair and so will make sure he doesn’t go back into that line. Also will put a note of the records of any birds produced.
Q. Do you have a favourite mutation or variety?
A.Opaline.
Q.Who do you admire most in the hobby?
A. Those people who are the backbone turn up week in and week out for their club(s) do lots of different roles and who without I would not have a hobby.
Q. What was the best bird you ever bred?
A. Not bred that many yet, will tell you after the High Wycombe show this weekend.
Q. What was the best bird that you have seen from someone else's stud?
A. Rick Watts Blue.
Q. What is the most important piece of advice you could give a beginner just starting out in the hobby?
A. Enjoy it it’s a hobby not a job, and join a club we spend to long alone in our sheds get out and enjoy the social side of the hobby, this includes showing.
Q. What more do you believe we can do to promote the hobby?
A. We need to identify who our target audience is in our core membership. The hobby requires time and a certain amount of disposable income. This is bound to be a slightly older membership, this should not be seen as a bad thing we are living older so get them when they start looking for something to fill their time or they’ll start playing golf.
Q. What do you enjoy most about the hobby? Are you still as enthusiastic as when you first started?
A. I really enjoy the show side, getting out and meeting other like minded people talking birds and see how my decision have faired against my peers.
Q.We would appreciate some photographs of yourself, your birds and perhaps your set-up.
A. So would I.
Thanks Anthony
Best Beginner Young Bird 2011-Anthony Brain
©2006 barrieshuttbudgerigars S3872.