Megabacteria – Fact or Fiction?
I was amazed to read a comment made by a fancier on the Internet with regard to Megabacteria. It went along the lines of something like, "This so-called new disease Megabacteria, I reckon it’s been invented by Vets and Pharmacists just to drum up business."
I am certain those of you who have had the misfortune to have an outbreak of Megabacteria in their stud of Budgerigars do not think the sickness and death of your birds was down to pure invention.
Until recently the only flock treatment for Megabacteria was a product called Megabac S, available from Australian Company Vetafarm. Unfortunately, due to high production costs this product has now been withdrawn. I sent Vetafarm the following email:
So far as I can ascertain, the withdrawal of Megabac S means, that there is no longer a flock treatment for Megabacteria in Budgerigars available anywhere in the World.
It has been reported that some breeders have been allowing Megabacteria to 'work itself' through a stud of budgerigars resulting in 40% losses. This is clearly unacceptable. While I note that production costs have caused you to withdraw your product, is there any way that you would reconsider, if for instance, orders were prepaid so that costs plus margin etc. were met in advance?
As Editor of Budgerigar World I am sure that we would be happy to promote such a scheme throughout the fancy World-wide.
I received an immediate reply, which indicated some good news on the horizon. This was the reply:
Dear Terry
Thank you as always for your support and encouragement. But all is not lost with Megabac-S. You are perfectly correct in your assessment of the disease in the budgie world, but I can also assure you it is a major problem in many other species around the world.
We have not stopped in our endeavours to find alternative cost effective manufacturing technology and I am very hopeful that we will be successful in the near future. This is an active and current research project with us.
I have prioritised all clients with interest in Megabac-S and I will add your name to that list. As soon as I get some news I am letting those parties know urgently. Your support with dissemination of that news would be invaluable and we would appreciate it very much.
Regards
Dr Colin Davis
Director, Export
Budgerigar World will pass on any advancements as soon as they become known
Judges Get Together
There is one thing that being on the judging circuit does and that is give you the opportunity to meet with fellow judges that perhaps you would only see infrequently. Recently, my partner Brian and I were judging in Norfolk with Ron Pearce, Maurice Roberts and Jeff Attwood, all of whom I have the greatest respect. It was a very good show, they had a great show team and we were made most welcome – by winners and losers alike!
When it comes to judging major specials, show promoting societies adopt one of two practices. The first is to let the judges loose on the birds and allow them to discuss each birds merits and collectively decide which is the winning bird. Using this method it soon became evident that there are a few ‘bully boy’ judges about that pressurise the other judges. Occasionally these tactics work, more often than not they do not. However, to avoid this situation arising many societies have now adopted the paper or spoken ballot system with minimal discussion.
At the Norwich and Norfolk Show it was the spoken ballot method that was adopted but because of the balanced personalities of the group of judges, some in-depth discussion took place. I was most intrigued when one of the judges began to discuss the head : body ratio of one particular bird and what a balanced eye position it had – such technical considerations seem to allude many judges. However, the thing that clinched it for me was when he was heard to say, "That there bird, it’s as fit as the butchers dog".
Which judge said that? Answers on a postcard please.