It is now approximately 11 years that the European style Budgerigar has landed on our shores. This beautiful Exhibition Budgerigar charges fore ever the breeding of the modern day Budgerigar as we knew it in Australia.
As a result of the importation there has been many statements over a period of time expressing the degree of difficulty breeding with the European style Budgerigar compared to the hardy Australia Exhibition Budgerigar. In effect this statement which in my opinion has very little merit to it. Working over the last five years with the imported bird I have realised that there are a number of characteristic or interdependent quantities with the European style Budgerigar which takes time to understand.
It has always been a difficult task to breed a top quality show bird to the standard.
Over many years the exceptional breeders of yesterday that breed the old style Budgerigar had built up years of knowledge. This material and record keeping reached back over a period of twenty five or more. These men and woman in the hobby knew of the strength and weaknesses of there breeding stock. As a result of the importation this vast data process was no longer of value.
I believe that consistency along with management is the key to kick starting your breeding season. The modern day breeder has to be one step ahead of this Australia parrot, (Melopsittacus undulatus ) in other words out smart them. The word Budgerigar is by the way an Aboriginal word meaning=”good cockatoo”.
Prior to the breeding season I add a fresh supply of gum leaves and branches to the open flights. Add also a number of hollow logs and watch the hens come into breeding condition. The birds that start pairing up in the flights are my first pairs to be placed into the breeding cages. As I lean towards blood line breeding I am not over concern what pairs up together in the flights. “Chicks, coming from the breeding room is just fine by me” I believe you must be consistent with your feeding program to increase the fertility of your birds. This feeding program or management must continue all year round just not during the breeding season as I believe this will keep the birds in near top condition. Remember that your birds can only obtain the necessary food supply which is given to them by you.
My soft food mix which I supply on a daily basis consists of the following mix; Greeted carrot and Beetroot which I add to this high protein power. I further add oats, turkey starter, laying pellets and Soya bean power. It is all mixed together and becomes a rich moist texture. The breeding pairs receive this mix late after-noon so that the chicks are full prior to night fall.
The European style Budgerigar has been a tremendous improvement on the old Australia bird in so many ways. Feather quality and texture, width of head and depth of mask just to name a few points. In spite of this some breeders still maintain that we are worst off having the imported bird. I fail to see how. Thank heavens they are in the minority status. Fortunately in Australia we have a number of renowned breeders small in numbers to the U.K screen but very talented men and woman who are prepared to take the time to understand the European style Budgerigar. My next article will be on “My understanding of Polyomar Virus”.