Despite the fact that around ten years have passed since the Budgerigar Society published a full colour picture of their Ideal Cock and Ideal Hen I still find myself looking back at them from time to time.
There is no doubt if Eric Peake was called upon to draw his interpretation of today’s Ideal he would present something different. But how different is a million-dollar question. I don’t think the difference would be quite as startling as compared with the ones in force prior to Eric’s, but there would bound to be a difference.
Ten years is a long time in the Budgie Fancy and during those years Jo Mannes came on the scene with his amazingly headed birds and what people referred to as the Mannes Feather.
During the past couple of years birds have appeared on the Show benches not only in the U.K. but at shows across the world which have lost all the grace presented by the Peake Ideal. I think disgusting is not quite the word, but unless our Judges do something about it, the word will suit tomorrow’s bird.
My prime complaint is that birds, which have no style, go to the forefront. We seem to be getting more crouchers than ever before (those are the birds, usually big, which lie across the perches and will not stand up straight). Then you have those which are very rough feathered with garter-like feathers curling around their legs. I can remember poultry with those curling feathers. Were they not called Fancy Birds, and of course, the flecked-headed are still there despite what the BS says.
At times I wonder if some Judges are aware of what rules have been passed by the B.S. because they seem to take it upon themselves to impose the standard. This makes it very difficult to exhibitors in the lower ranks who see birds, such as flecked-headed ones, winning whilst they have kept similar ones at home.
Maybe Judges should be reminded of those faults, which have to be penalised. They have been clearly recorded in writing by the BS And whether you think the time has come to update the Eric Peake Ideal or not, just compare the style of those pictures with some winning birds and I know which I prefer.
Within a few weeks the 1998 show season comes to a close with the Club Show being one of the final events.
From what we read, this year’s show could be the foundation for changes in future shows. If the new ideas are successful then they are bound to be implemented in the future. I certainly wish them that success.
It was a shame that the Foreign Bird Show organisers decided to withdraw from the Racecourse. Whatever their reason their absence will be a loss to many. I for one always wandered around their exhibits and thoroughly enjoyed viewing birds which I do not keep. One year the Gouldians tempted me and I bought several pairs together with Indian Finches. Had I not seen them at the Racecourse, then most probably I would never have dreamt of breeding them. Possibly some breeders of Foreign did the same with Budgerigars and entered the hobby that way.
Now I don’t even know if the Foreign Birds have a show. Not even that, for all I know they might not be in existence any more. What a pity.
Fostering has become very popular amongst Budgerigar breeders in recent years. The reason is obvious and this method has saved many a potential winner.
But there is a danger that we can carry fostering a bit too far. I am well aware of the argument that some big feathered buffy birds are poor parents and that the popular way to produce chicks from such birds is to move the eggs to tested breeders. The buffy birds are then left to becoming egg-laying machines.
Few breeders will replace or exchange the eggs and let their best pairs hatch and rear the foster eggs. This they look as a sheer waste of time. But those buffy birds, in my view, lose all sense of parenthood and as I mentioned, become just egg laying machines. All pairs should have the opportunity to hatch and rear chicks. It’s part of nature’s process and you interfere with that at your own peril.
My birdroom is not a factory. It is home for my birds. I do my best to keep them properly looked after and contended. They in turn have kept me happy with the quality and numbers they have produced. What more can anyone want. I look at my birds as a hobby. To me, they are recognisable as individuals. You can even call them friends. And I don’t like parting with them.
I know that some people use their Budgerigars as machines. The birds are no good if they don’t win or realise a lot of money. They are there for monetary gain and nothing else. Maybe a different approach would reap benefits. Try and think when you are in the birdroom what the birds really want to be happy. Happy enough to raise healthy families. Do you think they need all those supplements? Or those antibiotics against a possibility of them catching this or that. Are they contended with the mate you have selected for them? Maybe it’s not the birds which are at fault. It could be you.
© Gwyn Evans 1999
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