Oddly fluffy?

[jjp109]

Doe's anyone have any tips regarding breeding? For quality offspring, what exactly am I looking for within the parents?

[Hezz]

Sorry, but we don't have any exhibition breeders on the forum, at the moment.

[Learner]

I misread the thread title and thought it said "Old Fluffy" which attracted my attention as I have a grey hen called "Fluffy Grey".

I bought Fluffy Grey from an exhibition breeder. The chap is president of a south coast society so has some top birds (show birds that is).

I bought Fluffy Grey because I was looking for a grey budgie to add to my little flock in the aviary opposite my parents bedroom and conservatory windows. It was a Fathers Day present for my dad who loved to sit and watch them.

I found out months later that my old Fluffy would not have been bounced onto the show bench or selected for breeding show birds. She is lovely and definitely "oddly Fluffy" - she is huge but, poor old Fluffy Grey has "flecking". I think that's what it's called.

Instead of a clear solid coloured head Fluffy Grey has dark flecks - on the show bench she would lose marks or be rejected altogether.

Personally I am very happy with her. She certainly is fluffy and very good looking. Her chicks are gorgeous but if you intend breeding show quality birds avoid flecking.

Probably the best thing to do is to find a local budgerigar society and ask for advice. Joining the National Budgerigar Society will put you on the road to meeting up with local breeders of show birds.

Fluffy Grey, her "ordinary" pet budgie mate Charlie and I are not interested in following national budgerigar society standards. We think Fluffy and her off-spring (the odd fleck and all) are beautiful.

Best of luck choosing stock.