Few references can be found relating to Albinos but it is generally accepted that they originated in Germany in the early 1930's and subsequently they were also bred in England. Since mutations occur largely at random doubtless they appeared elsewhere without people realising what had happened, particularly where colony breeding was practised.
Bearing in mind the breeder of the Albino has to consider his primary objectives are two fold - colour and improving the overall type/configuration, at the present stage of the Albinos development it is worth considering the basic colour make-up of Normal budgerigars so that a fuller understanding may be achieved.
It is a fact that the feathers of a Normal Green budgerigar contain both yellow pigment and darker melanins, the latter being black and brown pigments in the form of micro size grains. When viewed, it is of course the reflected light that they human eye perceives, reds in the spectrum being absorbed by the melanin pigments and the blue passing through the yellow pigment being filtered and appearing green. It is the distribution and the varying sizes of the melanin grains that produces the variations in feather colour.
From the above it will be realised that if the yellow pigment is absent, a visually blue bird results. Again greys can be said to be the result of a change in melanin distribution. For those interested, the melanin producing cells are called melanocytes and account for all pigments in birds. Black and brown melanin synthesis begins with the oxidation of a colourless but readily recognised precursor - the amino-acid, tyrosine. Pigment granules are formed when tyrosine oxidation products are polymerized and attached to colourless protein granules.
Albinism can occur for a variety of reasons. It can be inherited, be the result of a shock, which in turn interferes with the migration of pigment cells during, for instance the embryonic development. Similarly a lack of hormonal stimulus can restrict pigment production, whilst in some species temperature fluctuation can cause colour changes. The Albino is of course the "ino" form of the blue series and its resulting white appearance is due to the inherited virtual absence of pigments.
The word Albino is the combination of the Latin work Albus meaning white and 'ino'. A relevant point worth noting here is that the Albino will mask any recessive factors which birds may carry and of course after breeding for several generations, it is possible for the 'masked' colour to be completely different from the original. Since a green is dominant to blue it follows that Lutino is dominant to Albino, with the proviso there is no blue in the genetical make-up of the Lutino.
The Budgerigar Society colour standards definition is by far the simplest written: "Pure white throughout", "Eyes: red with an iris ring". Pure white feathers must be the ultimate objective and if emphasis is made on the birds being truly chalk white when paired together, the possibility of achieving colour purity (genetically) must be high, subject of course to the background of both birds.
The B.S. scale of points for the Albino, when judging, are as follows:
Size, shape, balance and deportment: 35
Size and shape of head: 25
Colour: 40
Obviously the breeder will seek to ultimately achieve the Ideal shape, and to this end, doubtless today's breeders have available better, indeed far superior foundation stock than were available 20 to 30 years ago. Accordingly therefore, dedication should achieve better birds in a relatively short time. However, as with all livestock breeding it is better to establish overall "family" improvement rather than produce one "stormer".
Examination of many exhibition Albinos in appropriate lighting conditions will often reveal either blue, grey or pinkish suffusion. The latter was seen on a well remembered champion bird bred in the 60's by Harry Bryan, when the Sutton Coldfield stud swept all before it. This pink flush stems from the Violet factor in the bird's genetical make-up.
Similar to Lutinos, wing markings are also often seen (see later reference) which become more clearly defined as the birds get older. As far as colour is concerned, if an outcross is essential and no high quality Albino is available and comparable with your existing stock, the use of a good Grey would be preferable, any residual suffusion is then distinctly reduced (see reference to Dark character).
As with the Lutinos of several decades ago, Albinos are still generally lacking in size and type. This is more apparent when the feather type is "yellow" (i.e. fine and short feathered). Observation will serve to illustrate that the majority of blue series birds are small than the green series. It therefore follows that Albinos will again be inferior in overall form. Following breeding, young birds are often seen to be intermediate between their parents, although it is thought that size is a dominant characteristic, which within the right environment can be genetically established by line breeding. Accordingly, since improvement in size and configuration is being sought and many excellent Greys are available they would appear to be a better outcross than blues.
If it is accepted that use of Normal Greys will give the improvement you are looking for (assuming no Albino of size are available) it is considered valid, indeed logical, to examine in some detail the Grey series. It can be said there are 3 types of Greys, one of which is the English Grey. This type is recessive and rarely seen and can therefore be ignored. The other two types are in effect separate forms of the Australian Dominant Grey, the single factor and double factor Grey. These birds are dominant in their breeding behaviour and accordingly a bird cannot be said to be split for grey.
Over recent years considerable improvement has been achieved with greys. It can be seen in the introduction of grey to greens with the resultant grey-greens, many of which are outstanding. Colour expectations for the grey can be readily established from a number of reference books. It will be found they follow the same pattern as the Violet inheritance.
It should be noted that the well known authority on colour breeding C.H. Rogers, has on several occasions, indicated that the introduction of grey can act as a modifier in the actual tone of the residual suffusion. Since the Dark character is not eliminated, presumably the single factor should give the lightest tonal suffusion. Several breeders have indicated that they have found that visually, hens having a double factor for grey show the purer white overall. If you decide to use greys, since the Albino is sex-linked, results can be achieved a little quicker using Albino cocks and Normal Grey hens. Dependant on the overall quality of the initial stock, feeding and environment, some size improvement should be seen in the resulting birds.
As stated above, since Albinos are sex-linked this pairing will result in Normal/Albino cocks and Albino hens. Subsequent pairings from separate families using the split cocks should theoretically produce Albinos of both sexes; normal hens and again some split cocks. The next step is of course to pair compatible Albinos together, a fairly straightforward task now, since you will have knowledge of the birds inherent characteristics going back 2/3 generations. Several authorities advise against breeding between first generation relations, since it is thought albinotic animals tend to have inherent weaknesses.
It is useful therefore to have at least two separate families maintained for several generations. This is to build up to the point where they become pure breeding or homozygous for family characteristics and inherent strength. If you have a choice, avoid using Cinnamon or split Cinnamon birds since evidence indicates there is a strong tendency for the subsequent progeny to have suffused wing markings.
Apart from purity of colour and size, configuration must be your next concern. It follows, therefore, that if you are fortunate enough to have a compatible pair of Albinos, with the correct carriage, shape head and balance, this would be the preferred pairing. Since we should aim to breed and achieve the "Ideal", it is considered essential that the birds selected must carry complimentary features. Also, if feasible, the recommended pairing in terms of feather type (i.e. yellow or buff) should be adopted. This is particularly relevant since at present the skeletal structure of the available Albinos, is generally smaller than the better quality Lutinos again which they must compete on the show bench, usually in the same class.
Accordingly, we should, as with other series of birds, try and achieve generally, characteristics such as length of feather. Undoubtedly, when examined, the better visual Albinos at the moment are either "buffs" or at some intermediate state between "buff" and "yellow". The phrase "clothes maketh man" can be used as an analogy here, since feathers make the bird!
Complimentary to all the care and selection given to pairing is of course the absolute need for a high level of nutrition to be available at all times. With correct feeding and maintaining the protein balance with care plus the use of open flights and ample exercise, hybrid vigour can be maintained. After all, if the skeleton can be built up while a bird is young, it will stand that much better chance on the show bench as an adult. All the effort in the breeding room, feeding, pair selection, etc., will of course, count for nothing unless your birds are benched to the best advantage.
Remember the Albino is still a budgerigar yet needs a little more training than most of its cousins. Regular periods in a training cage, short trips in the car boot, and entry into the club table show - all these practices must help. Presentation in a well finished, clean show cage is essential. Do not forget that any creamy white interiors will be reflected on the birds feathers. The question often asked is whether a bird should be washed. This is dependant on the local environment. In a clean country area, if your show team are regularly sprayed, put into clean stock cages, with regularly cleaned perches, no problems should occur.
After benching your birds to the best of your ability, well trained and presented, it will, in the final analysis, be judged as a budgerigar! Sometimes problems do occur in show halls due to inadequate lighting. Fluorescent light intensifies any residual blue sheen, daylight gives a truer rendition which is closer to your domestic situation where, after all, you selected your show team.
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