Post by barrieshutt on Nov 9, 2011 9:12:11 GMT
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR WHEN PAIRING UP?
* When comparing the cock and the hen that is a possible pair - we VISUALIZE what will be achieved in their off spring (will there be an improvement and will they be better than their father or mother) THAT’S THE ULTIMATE GOAL.
* We NEVER pair for colour. We pair for QUALITY - does not matter what we put together as long as there will be quality chicks that will be far better than BOTH the parents
* The old beliefs that cinnamon on cinnamon and opaline on opaline etc must never be paired together is exactly what it is OLD BELIEFS. People that believe in this perception will not make head way in today's fancy. Some of our best birds that we bred for example the 2007 National winner was cinnamon on cinnamon. Maybe this beliefs was applicable in the beginning when these varieties were still small in stature.
* The mask and head qualities is always our primary focus.
* Pedigree will also be part of our decision making without neglecting the visualising of the off spring of the pair
Up
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING BIRDS?
* We rarely buy birds into our stock, but when we do, we would go to Reinhardt Molkentin. He is the only person who would sell us a good quality useable bird.
* We would look for a certain quality (for example spots, browiness, fertility or good mask) something that would enhance our current stock, something that might be lacking in our aviary and would take us one step further in this hobby.
* Always check the line of fertility of the bird that is bought. (How did the family breed?) FERTILITY is essential. Without fertility the best birds is not worth anything.
* We don’t buy the BBB’s as we call them (big buff birds) - they are usually a dead end.
Up
EXPLAIN YOUR SHOW PREPARATION
* At the end of the show season start planning your next show season - as soon as the dates of the shows are known - we decide which shows we’ll attend setting our next goals for the following year
* Dates are then put on the calendar when what must be done before each show because you can easily be caught out with the time periods before a show. We usually put reminders on our cell phones.
* +- 10 weeks before show - start looking at possibilities, check tails, flights & spots and cut at least one of the primary tail feathers * +- 8 weeks -pull cut primary tail as well as pluck the main spots
* +- 6 weeks - put them aside and start spraying every second day with cold water
* Occasionally put birds in show cages and train them, especially birds that are going to the show for the first time
* Three days before the show - start to prepare by plucking spots. Wash seed that you are going to put in the show cage. Check show cages and make sure they are in good condition and cleaned. Check drinkers
* Day before the show - use small “file”and comb through pin feathers to open them up, wash heads and dry
* Day of the show - brush heads with baby powder, glycerine on cere and do last touch ups on spots - hold thumbs that everything will go well - luck does play an important role (if the bird is not sitting correct and showing at the exact right moment - try the next show)
Thanks Pierre and Maja
* When comparing the cock and the hen that is a possible pair - we VISUALIZE what will be achieved in their off spring (will there be an improvement and will they be better than their father or mother) THAT’S THE ULTIMATE GOAL.
* We NEVER pair for colour. We pair for QUALITY - does not matter what we put together as long as there will be quality chicks that will be far better than BOTH the parents
* The old beliefs that cinnamon on cinnamon and opaline on opaline etc must never be paired together is exactly what it is OLD BELIEFS. People that believe in this perception will not make head way in today's fancy. Some of our best birds that we bred for example the 2007 National winner was cinnamon on cinnamon. Maybe this beliefs was applicable in the beginning when these varieties were still small in stature.
* The mask and head qualities is always our primary focus.
* Pedigree will also be part of our decision making without neglecting the visualising of the off spring of the pair
Up
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING BIRDS?
* We rarely buy birds into our stock, but when we do, we would go to Reinhardt Molkentin. He is the only person who would sell us a good quality useable bird.
* We would look for a certain quality (for example spots, browiness, fertility or good mask) something that would enhance our current stock, something that might be lacking in our aviary and would take us one step further in this hobby.
* Always check the line of fertility of the bird that is bought. (How did the family breed?) FERTILITY is essential. Without fertility the best birds is not worth anything.
* We don’t buy the BBB’s as we call them (big buff birds) - they are usually a dead end.
Up
EXPLAIN YOUR SHOW PREPARATION
* At the end of the show season start planning your next show season - as soon as the dates of the shows are known - we decide which shows we’ll attend setting our next goals for the following year
* Dates are then put on the calendar when what must be done before each show because you can easily be caught out with the time periods before a show. We usually put reminders on our cell phones.
* +- 10 weeks before show - start looking at possibilities, check tails, flights & spots and cut at least one of the primary tail feathers * +- 8 weeks -pull cut primary tail as well as pluck the main spots
* +- 6 weeks - put them aside and start spraying every second day with cold water
* Occasionally put birds in show cages and train them, especially birds that are going to the show for the first time
* Three days before the show - start to prepare by plucking spots. Wash seed that you are going to put in the show cage. Check show cages and make sure they are in good condition and cleaned. Check drinkers
* Day before the show - use small “file”and comb through pin feathers to open them up, wash heads and dry
* Day of the show - brush heads with baby powder, glycerine on cere and do last touch ups on spots - hold thumbs that everything will go well - luck does play an important role (if the bird is not sitting correct and showing at the exact right moment - try the next show)
Thanks Pierre and Maja
