Hills District Branch BSNSW inc. Established 1974

Transcription

1 Hills District Branch BSNSW inc. Established 1974 NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2010

2 Position Name Address P/Code Phone Address Chairman Peter Dodd 7 Rocca St, Denistone East peter_dodd@iprimus.com.au Vice Chair Craig Buckingham 44 Barellan Ave, Carlingford ultimateexpression@bigpond.com.au Vice Chair Harry Charalambous PO Box 990, Wahroonga harry@planassist.com.au Secretary Kathy Manton 44 Clifton Rd, Marsden Park hillsbranchsecretary@bigpond.com Treasurer Ian Manton 44 Clifton Rd, Marsden Park iankathymanton@bigpond.com Show Manager Mark Chidel 27 Avondale Rd, Pitt Town mchidel@tpg.com.au Show Manager Craig Buckingham As Above Show Secretary Cliff Spare 10 Olive Lee St, Quakers Hill clicky.bill@optusnet.com.au Ass't Show Sec Graeme Gordon 35 Watkins Rd, Baulkham Hills sangra@bigpond.net.au Ass't Show Sec Ross Selig 617 East Kurrajong Rd, East Kurrajong rosshon@tpg.com.au Ass't Show Sec Mark Valvason 130 Chapel Lane, Baulkham Hills pomeroy@excelbm.com.au Ass't Show Sec Jeff Mansfield 59 Broughton Rd, Strathfield jeff@ascon.com.au Ass't Show Sec Harry Charalambous As Above Publicity Officer Ross Selig As Above Editor Santo Calabrese 65 Tallowwood Ave, Cherrybrook santoc@bigpond.net.au Ring Registrar Graeme Gordon As Above As Above Events CoOrd Craig Buckingham As Above Events CoOrd Andre Ozoux 79 Morrison Rd, Gladesville idandre@iprimus.com.au Librarian Paul Brett 3 Spring St, Kellyville paulandval@bigpond.com Catering Officer Jo Zammit 7 Grevillea Drive, St Clair dav_jo@bigpond.net.au M'gmnt Deleg't Kathy Manton As Above M'gmnt Deleg't Ray Galbraith 5 Gardiner Rd, Galston boxer73@bigpond.net.au Alt. Delegate Craig Buckingham Trophy Steward Brian Findlay 14 Brabyn St, Windsor Auditor H& H Charalambous Member CoOrd Lloyd Mullens 23 Flinders Rd, North Ryde M'ship Registrar Peter Dodd 11/105 Hammers Rd, Old Toonbabbie fordano@hotmail.com Webmaster Daniel Child Floor member Andre Ozoux Floor Member Laurie Cauchi 311 South St, Marsden Park Floor member Richard Abraham 3 Edwards Rd, Middle Dural Floor Member Ken Mitchell 22 Salter Court, Harrington Park ken.denise.mitchell@gmail.com Return'g Officer Paul Brett Trustee Craig Buckingham Trustee Daniel Child Services Mgr Stuart Williams 7 Kerry Rd, Schofields birdboxesgalore2@bigpond.com

3 FROM THE EDITOR A big welcome to a new member of the Editorial team, Ross Selig who may be calling on you soon. Great to see such a large roll up and new members at our last meeting. This month is the second month of the new blue ring young birds Table Show. So that s the perfect opportunity to get those young birds used to judging and crowds. Remember we have old bird classes as well. Just to let you know whats happening till the end of the year we have the Guest Speakers and Judges listed below. Guest Speaker Judge SEPTEMBER 2010 CRAIG BUCKINGHAM DAVID (BREEDING SEASON) STERRITT OCTOBER 2010 KEITH NICHOLS MARK (SEX LINKED) CHIDEL NOVEMBER 2010 MATT CAMPBELL GEOFF WOODS DECEMBER 2010 NO MEETING NIL (CHRISTMAS PARTY) LET S HAVE A LAUGH As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a grave side service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper's cemetery in the Kentucky back-country. As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost; and being a typical man I didn't stop for directions.. I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch. I felt bad and apologized to the men for being late. I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn't know what else to do, so I started to play. The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family or friends. I played like I've never played before for this homeless man. And as I played 'Amazing Grace,' the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head hung low my heart was full. As I was opening the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, " I never seen nothing' like that before and I've been putting in septic tanks for twenty years." ****************************

4 Meet the Member By ross selig Graeme gordon Position in club - Ring registrar & Assistant Show Secretary Age - Indeterminate Address- Baulkham Hills Occupation- retired cartoonist Graeme has been breeding Budgerigars for about 15 years, he also breeds native Finches and has a wonderful collection. His bird room has ten cabinets, off the bird room he has access to some of his aviaries, a row of five about 1 m x 3.5m. He has three other aviaries in this back yard in which he keeps a number of bush budgies Graeme has a wonderful back yard with lots of flowers and shrubs a visit is recommended.

5 1. What started your interest in Budgerigars? I grew up living next door to a very well known budgie breeder/shower by the name of Roy Mitchell who, as he had no sons, asked me to come in and help him with his birds. One thing led to another and he persuaded my father to build me a cage and he gave me several birds to start. I would have been about 10 years old (mid fifties). I found it increasingly hard to sell backyard budgies and as Roy had finches as well l gradually changed over to them. In my teen years l attended Parramatta Caged Bird Society (I think that is what they were called) meetings where they showed budgies, canaries and finches with Roy, showing my finches at their table shows with some success. I continued keeping finches all my working life but did not show them after l started work as l worked shift work and could not always get to the meetings. I had a good relationship with Ace Colonies at Wentworthville which l had built up over the years selling all my birds to them. They have had several owners over the years and l have no trouble keeping up good relations with the new owners when they came along. I cannot emphasise how important it is for a bird keeper to have an outlet for disposing of your surplus birds - particularly finches as they breed so freely you can build up numbers very quickly - l would have to sell about 30 finches a month just to maintain numbers at about 20 breeding pairs plus youngsters growing up - about 100 birds all up. 90% of my finches are Zebras of which l breed about 6 different mutations in 4 flights plus a couple of holding flights. 4. When did you decide to start breeding exhibition budgerigars? I worked on and off with one of our Club s past well known members Col Allison and when he started importing English budgies in the eighties he asked if l wanted to see them and l took up his invitation and started spending a fair bit of time at his place. One thing led to another and he gave me a pair or two of his culls in the early nineties which l started breeding with. After l retired in 2000 he invited me along to the Hills Club which l could now attend as my nights were now free. That is when l started to breed exhibition type birds although with a limited budget set out by my better half l have not been able to buy instant success or breed it either (my fault).

6 5. Describe the differences between keeping Budgies and the other types you keep now To be honest there is not a great difference in keeping finches or budgies - in the way of keeping accurate records (l have finch records going back to the sixties) which is very necessary when you are not introducing new blood very often as is the case with me. Care is also similar with both needing spinach/chickweed and shell grit/cuttlebone and, if you keep the cages clean very little supplementary/worming care - or at least that is the case with my flock. I do not keep finches that need live food to raise young so that makes life much simpler. 6. Are budgies more difficult to breed? I have no less or more trouble breeding budgies than any other breeder - although having said that, with a limited number of cabinets (12) l sometimes find farming out extra chicks/eggs out of the question because of no where to put them - so l do lose some birds this way. It is hard to justify having feeders taking up valuable cabinet space just in the off chance that something may go wrong. 7. What bloodlines did you start with in budgies? I have never been too concerned with bloodlines - l generally judge the bird as a bird and what l need and then get it. As l am on a budget l cannot pay or justify big money to buy the better birds so it is a slow process but still very enjoyable.

7 8. What bloodlines are your current birds? My current bloodlines include Smithers (spangles), Edwards (lutinos,albinos & recessives) Bevan (recessives) and Ray Galbraith has been very generous in helping me with some good recessives and lutinos. I look to Paul Brett for his opinions, as he has helped me over the years. 9. What varieties do you keep and what are your favourites? I keep normals, albinos, lutinos, yellowfaces, spangles and recessive pieds. I also have a line of Bush Budgies - based on Harry Smith bloodlines - which l have had a lot of success with, winning Champion Bush Budgie at Central Coast Show the last two years. I, like many breeders are always on the lookout for good normals as you can never have enough - they are soooo hard to find. Anything with any sort of size or type are snapped up very quickly by fellas with more money than me - so it is a continual battle to find them. 10. Do you have any particular methods you use with your birds such as medication, feeding, show training and preparation My preparation for showing birds is very slack (like a lot of novices). I never seem to have enough time to train them correctly for showing and even after all these years I still need to lift my game. It is something I will have to work on if my birds are to show themselves properly.

8 The Picasso of Budgies LONDON: Bird fanciers across the internet have been posting condolences as Devon and Cornwall police investigate the murder of a champion budgie and the suspicion that a rival in the bird fraternity was behind the killing. Penmead Pride, a multi-coloured recessive pied budgie who was champion in his class, was found on the eve of the Cornwall Budgerigar Society Show, where he was to defend the title he won last year. Owner Andrew Pooley found Penmead on the floor of his aviary, stamped to death by thieves who ran off with 21 other birds. Two other birds were killed. "Whoever took them knew what they were doing because they have taken the best of the best, then had the gall to kill my pride and joy," he said. "It must have been someone who wanted me out of the show." A senior breeder suggested a "Mr Big" might have had the birds stolen to order. "A top-class budgie in Germany or Belgium can fetch 4000 [almost $6700]," he said. It is thought they would be of little value in Britain, where their distinctive markings make them instantly recognisable."penmead was like a Picasso of the budgerigar world," said Linda Dungey, Mr Pooley's partner. "He was priceless. Andrew had bred him from the best. He is really devastated."this was his life's work he's been doing it for 40 years. Penmead was Andrew's first registered champion. We can't afford to get new ones." ******************************************* A police officer in Penticton stops at a local ranch. He talks with an old rancher. He tells the rancher, "I need to inspect your ranch for illegally grown drugs." The rancher says, "Okay, but do not go in that field over there," as he points out the location. The Police officer verbally explodes saying, " Mister, I have the authority of the Federal Government with me." Reaching into his rear pants pocket, he removes his badge and proudly displays it to the rancher. "See this badge old man? This badge means I am allowed to go wherever I wish... On any land I wish, with no questions asked or answers given. Have I made myself clear? Do you understand? " The rancher nods politely, apologizes, and goes about his chores. A short time later, the old rancher hears loud screams and sees the Police officer running for his life chased by the rancher's big Santa Gertrudis bull... With every step the bull is gaining ground on the officer, and it seems likely that he'll get gored before he reaches safety. The officer is clearly terrified. The rancher throws down his tools, runs to the fence and yells at the top of his lungs... Show him your BADGE

9 ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION Graham McGuire I have been using AI for about 12 months now, after receiving a video from the American Budgerigar Society featuring Dr Bob Cave. I have used AI to supplement fertility, when cocks were scared, runners, too big, have no sperm or hens that are box-bound, have injuries etc.,. I soon found that the overwhelming reason for infertility was that the cock did not have sperm. I have read many articles on fertility for budgerigars where they go on about nutrition, vitamins, overcrowding, trimming vents, square perches and many other ideas. All of these issues are usually good for budgies, so I agree we should carry them out, but they really have nothing to do with egg fertility. If you wish to achieve fertility, all you need is sperm inserted by AI in the correct way, and the hen lays a normal egg. This egg is then incubated for about 3 days and it will be fertile. I usually have 70 pairs up at a time. After waiting about 10 days the hens start laying. I then check the cock birds for sperm. I (and other friends) have found that only 55% of cocks have sperm, so that means starting out with only a possibility of 55% of eggs being fertile, that is if the cock has mated properly. You will not achieve fertility if your hen lays those rough eggs that lack calcium. These may start out fertile but soon addle, as they are far too porous and easily allow bacteria in. When a hen produces these porous eggs, I use Vetafarm Calcevet, a couple of drops direct to the beak. If the eggs do not improve it is usually that the hen is too old or something is wrong with her system. Male sperm can be "recycled", there was an article in Budgerigar World (I think) a couple of years ago, but I have not been able to find it again. I have found that some budgies have sperm every day for 12 months. Others for 1 month then not for 3 months then again for 2 months. I would say on average, cocks would have sperm for about 5 months of the year. The testicles of a budgie are deep inside the bird. There are tubes that take the sperm to an area just below the anus where it is stored until it is used when mating. This is how we are able to collect the sperm with a capillary tube. The tube must be plain not Hebron-coated as Hebron is toxic to sperm. You may be able to obtain them from your chemist or local hospital, but remember, not Hebron coated. Do not try to re-use these tubes, they are clean but are not sterile. Once you have practiced obtaining the sperm it is very easy, as long as there is sperm there to collect. You use a soft squeezing motion drawing up from just under the anus. If you don't obtain semen after about 6-7 squeezes the cock probably does not have any sperm to give or he may have just used it? So check again tomorrow (early in the morning). I usually collect after work at about 7pm. I wait for the first egg to be laid, then check the cock for sperm. If he has sperm I collect it and put it in to the hen, just in case the pair have not mated properly. I then mark my box card with AI and the date. If the cock has no sperm, I use the next best-suited cock that has sperm, and mark the card with the Ring No of the cock as well as AI and the date. I can now hear you asking how do you know who is the father. You use the same method as when shifting an un-rung chick. I believe it is better to have the chick and not know the parentage than not have the chick at all. You cannot put sperm on a hen's tail and expect fertile eggs to fall on the floor. You must put up a pair in a box and get both birds in the "laying mode" Sometimes you may wish to put a cock over a couple of hens and this can be done by putting up a pair in one box and another hen in a box by herself or with an infertile cock. If you knew when the hen was exactly going to lay her first egg, she would be swollen enough to AI her 2 days before. If you wished to make sure her first egg was fertile. Once the hen has laid the first egg, you need to AI her that night if you wish the second egg to be fertile. If you wait until the next day you will have missed the second egg, but will fertilise the third. The hen has cells that are called "sperm storage" cells, where she holds the sperm for up to 16 days.

10 When the egg is being fertilized there is only a 15 minute window before the white of the egg is wrapped around the yolk and the egg can no longer be fertilized. That is why it is so important for the hen's sperm storage cells to be working correctly. You only have about 5 minutes to blow the sperm into the hen from the tube before the sperm starts to lose its viability. After about 10 minutes the sperm will become like clag and you can't blow it out. I don't check the sperm with a microscope, but you could do this if you wished. Before you collect the sperm you should pull out all the feathers from around the anus of the pair, especially the ring of small feathers around the anus (some people call these guide feathers), as these act like a magnet to sperm and once the sperm is in these, you can't get it out. You use a stroking action under the anus, to get the faeces out of the hen. But make sure you get all the faeces out of her (make sure the anus is not facing you or you may cop the lot). You must tissue away the faeces especially the urine part as this is toxic to sperm. Once you are sure all the faeces are out, again put pressure under the anus to open her up so as you can see the wet pink bit inside. Now blow the sperm out of the capillary tube on to the pink bit. Let the tail down, the anus will close and then put her back into her box. If you have not got all the faeces out of the hen, she will usually jump on the perch and defecate, and there goes the semen you had just put in. Theoretically, you only have to AI once for 8 eggs. But I check that AI has worked by checking the second egg, 3 days after it has been laid. If it is not fertile, I will AI the hen again. I can hear you saying "why do I have the first egg fertile, the second egg infertile, and the third egg fertile?" There is something wrong with the sperm storage cells, or the sperm count may have been down. Now that I have been collecting sperm for about 12 months, I can usually tell just by looking at the cock's anus area. With the feathers pulled away, if the anus looks plump and raised he usually has sperm. If the anus is level you may obtain sperm if it is an old cock or you have got a good chance that he will get sperm at a later date. I have found that the cock that has a sunken anus usually has no sperm and may never get it (so buyer beware). It is much easier if you have two people collecting the sperm. I usually collect by myself, one hand is used to hold the head of the cock between the little finger and the fourth finger, then the thumb is used to arch the tail back. The other hand is used to squeeze the anus, and because we don't have another hand, I use my teeth to hold the capillary tube. I am careful not to block the end with my tongue or anything else (and don't suck back what ever you do) otherwise the automatic capillary action will not work. On many occasions I have found the cocks sperm to dry up once he starts feeding the chick, this may be to protect the chick from his father attacking? So if you wish to continue using sperm from a cock it is best to remove the cock before he starts to feed the baby chicks. You will find that some cocks shake, or take what looks to be a fit in your hand. If you continue to hold this bird he will probably die. This is called "racing heart syndrome" and it is when the bird is scared. It's heart starts to race at about ten times the normal rate, causing the heart not to fill with blood, so there is no blood flowing to the brain. Unless you can quiet down this cock, you cannot use AI with this bird. I have noticed that hens do not suffer from this syndrome. AI carried out correctly means 100% fertility. In England AI is banned, why I do not know? I was a Councillor and Mayor of the City of Williamstown for twelve years, and over that time the CEO always insisted that we never make a law (ban) you can not police. AI is accepted practice with farmers of livestock. It is utilized with cattle and sheep and also by the poultry industry. Apparently, a semen dilution medium is required for the successful insemination of the larger parrot. When this is reached in the laboratory, one can imagine how the rarer endangered varieties can be saved from extinction. There is no doubt that AI needs to be used with care; it should not be used to put one cock over 1000 hens, which may fix very undesirable traits. But it is very desirable when you are trying to set up your own line of budgies very quickly, as it allows you to have many related birds in the first year, not to mention producing from that super cock, which can not mate because of an accident to a foot etc.,. Once the sperm can be frozen and reconstituted, this will put the best birds in the world in the reach of all of us in the fancy (rich and poor). In the cattle industry, you can obtain a catalogue which contains a picture and a description of the bulls. The semen is then posted to you for about $50. Can you imagine what it will be like to be able to use the best birds in the world with your next mating?

11 But for the moment the only way you can use a cock bird, which you do not own, is to see if the person that owns a suitable cock for your hen, would consider taking a stud fee. You would need to take your hen to his aviary the day she lays her first egg and AI her there. The only tools required for AI are capillary tubes and some tissues. The Do s for AI. Make sure the birds are in laying mode (both cock and hen paired up until the hen lays her first egg). AI at least 36 hours before the hen is due to lay her next egg. Pluck all feathers around the vent. Make sure all faeces are out of the hen before inseminating her. Towel away any urine, as it is toxic to sperm. Keep records on what cock was used and the date she was inseminated. AI every day, if you wish to make sure of fertility. Use a cock when he has sperm, because it may be 6-12 months before he may have sperm again. Use AI on those big buff hens if you want fertility. The Don ts Leave the sperm in the tube for more than 5 minutes. Do not use Hebron coated capillary tubes, as Hebron is toxic to sperm. Re use tubes. Cover or block the ends of the capillary tubes. When I have given some talks on AI some people have been very negative, and have tried to abuse me. As I have said on many occasions, I am not promoting AI. I have been asked to give talks on AI, as I have been asked to write this article. I hope people who do not use AI, will leave me to breed at least 50%nbsp;more chicks, and from my larger buff hens that usually have clear eggs. Once freezing the sperm has been perfected, I will be able to legally import sperm. While those people that do not use AI will be still waiting for the import ban to be lifted. Original text: Copyright 1998, Graham McGuire

12 Suffusion confusion. By Peter Dodd. April 2010 (Peter is a life member of the Budgerigar Society of NSW, a National judge and a well known breeder of the Blackeyed self variety) At every show I have attended this year (2010), either as an exhibitor or a judge, there has been a great deal of confusion and concern over the difficulty of exhibitors knowing in which class they should show their Blackeyed Yellows and Suffused Yellows. Judges also seem to have a problem in deciding as to whether the birds are Blackeyed Yellows or Suffused Yellows. It has now reached the stage where some judges do not even wish to judge either of these Blackeyed Yellow or the Suffused Yellow classes. As a direct result of the decision to make the Suffused Yellow / White a Standard variety, a leading breeder of Blackeyed Yellows in Australia has indicated to me that he is seriously considering selling all of his Blackeyed Yellows. At one show he had a particular bird wrong classed in the Blackeyed Self class, and then subsequently again had it wrong classed when entered as a Suffused Yellow at the following show. This is an absolute travesty. Other exhibitors of these varieties are also having the same problems. Even the results of the Blackeyed class at the National competition in Tasmania last year caused much controversy. It has now reached the ludicrous situation whereby at some shows the officiating judges get together prior to the commencement of judging, to ensure that birds in the Blackeyed Self & Suffused Yellow classes will not be wrong classed later in the day. I have lobbied to the BS NSW Inc that the Suffused Yellow-White be removed from the Standard, as it is not a true separate variety. Yet, I have been duly informed that as it is the original mutation it is entitled to have its own class. The Blackeyed Self Variety, as we know it today is a vast improvement on the original Yellows / Whites. Over many years, skilled breeders have worked hard to remove the suffusion, resulting in the attractive clear buttercup yellow body coloured birds we know today. One solution to this ongoing problem (Suffusion confusion) is to remove the Suffused Yellow- White Variety from the Standard, and have these birds included in the Blackeyed Self Colour Variety and be penalised accordingly (for having body colour suffusion). To use a similar analogy, if Lutino and Albinos are presented at a show with body colour suffusion, then they are penalised according to the amount of suffusion. I believe that if the Suffused Yellows / Whites are to remain a Standard Variety; we may well lose the beautiful buttercup Yellows that we have spent so many years perfecting. It is far easier to breed Yellows & Whites with suffusion than without, so why would breeders bother trying to breed the optimal Blackeyed Self Coloured Yellows / Whites? For that matter, let s also change the terminology Blackeyed Self Colour to Blackeyed Yellow or White. The Standard allows for the Blackeyed Self Colour to have markings on the back of the head, neck and wings, and as such is not a true Self Colour. We should do everything to protect and preserve the Blackeyed Variety and remove the Suffused Yellow / White Variety from the Standard- and thus put an end to the Suffusion confusion.

13 HATCHING CALENDER This calendar can be used to simplify when the budgie eggs will hatch Take the day the eggs were laid and look below that date. That s the day the eggs should hatch. Example: day the eggs were laid 19 th September - day the eggs will hatch 7 th October Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan

14 Transferring Eggs Transferring eggs from one pair to another, as we have discussed, can be an effective management tool for increasing productivity but it also requires timing in addition to an understanding of the factors affecting hatching. Transference of eggs needs to be done at as earlier stage of development as possible but may be safely carried out from when the first signs of blood lines are visible up until the entire interior of the egg appears reddish pink. Beyond this, the chances for successful hatching progressively diminish. However, one should never give up hope and success can be achieved at all stages and even when the embryo is fully formed and is due to hatch within a day or two. When transferring, one should use a candling torch to estimate the age of the egg to ensure that they are within a day or two of those they are being transferred with. Place the transfer in approximate rotation for its stage of development. If a clutch contains both fertile and infertile eggs leave the infertile eggs, removing them only after the chicks have hatched. If there is a particularly large nest of eggs (more than 6) containing only a few fertile ones, remove some of the infertile ones so that the hen can manage the eggs more easily. Remember, however, that the oldest eggs are placed at the outside of the circle and new eggs are more centrally located. Removing infertile eggs can cause older fertile eggs to fall towards the centre subjecting them to different incubation temperatures and rotation, which may cause them to addle. One thing you should consider when transferring or handling eggs, is because of its construction, it allows moisture as well as gasses to pass in and out. This is a natural occurrence, which is important for healthy development and growth of the embryo. One problem, however, is that it also allows germs to penetrate the shell. The vast majority of addled Budgerigar eggs (66%) are due to infection. Of these, the major cause of infection is staphylococci and the strain of staphylococci is human! Use disposable plastic gloves or egg tongs when handling eggs or at least dip your hands into a disinfectant such as Iodine V.18 or Virkon S. Another consideration is the temperatures of your fingers when handling eggs. These should be warmer than the eggs themselves as the effects of cold hands cause the inner membrane of the egg to contract slightly, having a drawing in effect. This sucking action, although very small, is sufficient to allow bacteria to be drawn through the porous shell. Soiled Eggs Invariably, eggs become soiled, either by the hen or by the excrement of previously hatched chicks. Many of these eggs contain viable developing embryos, which fail to hatch because the fancier does not act. Eggs which remain soiled or caked with excrement will either fail to hatch because the chick cannot break out, or the embryo will die before its hatching date, as a result of bacterial absorption by the egg. (The majority of non-staphylococci infected eggs were noticeably dirty in comparison to staphylococci infected eggs, which were clean.) Eggs can be washed in warm water with no consequence to the embryo. An egg may be placed into a cup of warm water and if it sinks to the bottom of the cup, it is either infertile and/or addled. If it floats, this indicates that there is an air space within the egg as well as a viable embryo. As the warm water begins to loosen the excrement, take a smooth cloth or sponge and gently wipe the rest away, dry and replace the egg in sequence, within the nest box. On occasion, if there are already a number of hatched chicks, foster all but the smallest one or two so that the chicks which hatch from the cleansed eggs will have a greater chance of being fed and cared for. One should try not to foster the eggs at this point as they have developed beyond the safe threshold, however, it is good practice transfer chicks. Wait until several have hatched, then transfer the oldest leaving only one, the youngest, plus any unhatched eggs. Continue to do this until there is only one chick plus three unhatched eggs left.

15 DON'T INTERFERE WITH THE BREEDING PAIRS MORE THAN NECESSARY. Many setbacks can occur during the breeding season, but it ought not to be assumed that disaster regularly befalls every breeder. With knowledge and understanding, plus keen and attentive observation of all that happens in the breeding cages, steps can often be taken to overcome obstacles as they arise, and with a little forethought, much can be done to lessen the risk of many ever happening at all. Sometimes a hen that is sitting on eggs or chicks will leave the nest and show no further interest in motherhood. Provided this desertion is noticed in good time little harm should result. The contents of the nest can be placed under one or more pairs of foster parents. Most pairs that are breeding will usually accept eggs and/ or chicks, although it is sometimes unwise to introduce new youngsters over three weeks old. Many fosters do not favour fully fledged chicks being thrust upon them and, although their disdain may not be noticeable, trouble could result. Where possible the older babies should be left with the parent cock bird and in most cases he will continue feeding them. Place them in an open topped box on the floor of the cage and wait a couple of hours to see if they are getting attention. If not, then hand feeding may have to be resorted to. LOSS OF CONDITION There are three main reasons that cause a hen to desert her responsibility. The first is a loss of breeding condition, possibly brought about because matters were forced in the early stages when the hen was not at the peak of condition. The second is due to an objection being taken to the nest box. It may be that the box, when taken out for inspection, was not returned to its original position, or perhaps the first box was replaced by another during the process of cleaning. A strong smell of disinfectant can also cause a hen to desert her nest. Therefore, it is advisable to leave the nest box alone, other than scraping out any excess excreta, for the full period of incubation and rearing. If the boxes have to be cleaned out or changed this task is better left until the young are out in the cages. Another reason for desertion is when the hen falls sick or suffers some discomfort. For example, a foot can swell owing to an abrasion caused by grit getting lodged under the closed ring. A hen will, in most cases, continue her duties if the ring is removed and the leg washed and treated with an antiseptic ointment.. A hen that has suffered from the other two complaints, however, should be rested, until the following season. It is not uncommon for a hen to die while she is breeding. Generally she is found on the floor of the cage, but not always so, and eggs in the box may be chilled. It is worth trying to save these eggs by placing them under foster parents after warming them in the hands. If there are young in the nest, and very much depending upon the age of them, the cock bird may have taken over the duty of feeding. Provided he continues to do so, all is well. If, however, the young are found to be cold and apparently lifeless make every attempt to revive them. Chicks deprived of food and body warmth pass into a state of coma before finally succumbing from the effects. Switch on the hospital cage to attain as near as possible 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and while the temperature is building up enclose the young into the cupped hands and breathe on them to provide extra warmth. Sometimes, even before the hospital cage is used a twitching will be noticed and within half an hour movement should be obvious on the paper covered floor of the cage, and then the time has come to place them under suitable foster parents.

16 LEGS SPREAD OUT When a chick is two or three days old its legs may be seen to be spread out. At this tender age it is impossible to tell whether the cause is rickets or due to the mother sitting too heavy. In either case it is advisable to take the baby away and place it under foster parents, and substitute an older one of five or six days. To relieve the pressure from the mother's body weight ensure that there are at least two eggs in the nest at all times. Clear eggs can be used if they are warmed previously. After the youngest chick is two weeks of age the practice can be discontinued. By this time they will be stronger and more likely nestle under the wing of the parent rather than below the body. Unfortunately, I know of no cure for rickets and the affected youngster is best destroyed if it develops with the legs spread wide apart. This complaint will rarely arise if a sufficiency of vitamin D is absorbed by the parent hen before breeding commences. Cod liver oil, which is rich in this vitamin, can be added to the normal seed during the autumn and winter months, and as calcium is vital to strong bones, this mineral should be offered all the year round in the form of cuttlefish bone. NIGHT FRIGHT At any age, but more often when the youngsters are under three weeks old, a parent bird may deliberately kill one or more in a nest. Often there seems to be no apparent reason for this, but one explanation of why parents turn vicious is that they undergo a fright. Mice, sudden noises and flashing lights at night all serve to bring on this strange panic that we call "night fright". Another cause could be the outcome of fostering out youngsters. Maybe one of the foster parents does not take kindly to these strangers it could be that some birds have this wicked streak in their make-up brought about by a condition of which we have no knowledge. To give an instance, I once had a young hen that killed her first born chick, she hatched the second one and promptly disposed of it too. The remaining eggs were fostered out and on the second round I took one more chance with her but she again destroyed the first born chick. As she did not exhaust herself from feeding, I allowed a third round and fostered all the eggs before hatching time. The following year, as there were not enough cages to spare for hens that would not rear successfully, I experimented with this bird once more. Its first youngster hatched out and it was fed, then the second and the third and so on. With the second round and in subsequent years, this hen proved to be a model mother, as good as or better than any in the aviary.

17 TABLE SHOW CLASSES Open / Intermediate Novice Variety Cock Hen Cock Hen Normal Green N1 N101 Normal Grey Green N2 N102 Normal Blue N3 N103 Normal Grey N4 N104 Blackeye N5 N105 Lutino N6 N106 Albino N7 N107 Clearwing N8 N108 Greywing N9 N109 Cinnamonwing N10 N110 Spangle - Double Factor N11 N111 Opaline N12 N112 Opaline AOSV N13 N113 Clearbody N14 N114 Lacewing N15 N115 Fallow N16 N116 Yellowface N17 N117 Spangle N18 N118 Dominant Pied N19 N119 Recessive Pied N20 N120 Crest N21 N121 AOV AOC N22 N122 OLD BIRD CLASSES ( RED RINGS AND EARLIER) 1X - OLD COCKS 2X - OLD HENS

18 MINUTES OF THE COMMITTEE MEETING HILLS BRANCH - B.S.N.S.W. (Inc.) Meeting held at Dural Country Club, Dural on Tuesday 10 th August MEETING OPENED: 8.06 pm Peter Dodd presided. PRESENT: Ian Manton, Kathy Manton, Graeme Gordon, Craig Buckingham, Santo Calabrese, Ross Selig, Ray Galbraith, Cliff Spare, Harry Charalambous, and Peter Dodd. APOLOGIES: Mark Chidel, Richard Abraham, Helen Charalambous, Andre Ozoux, Ken Mitchell Moved: C. Buckingham Seconded: H. Charalambous PREVIOUS MINUTES: Moved that the minutes of the previous meeting as printed in the Newsletter are a true and accurate record. Moved: C. Spare Seconded: R.Selig BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES: Discussion on $2,000 donation motion Harry Smith camera cage Ross Selig to make use of offer Annual Show not yet approved to have an overseas judge Change of logo on buttons graphic arts dept to handle TREASURER S REPORT: All accounts approved at previous meeting have been paid. Income from last General / Committee meeting: Show cage raffle $ Memberships $ Accounts paid since last General / Committee meeting: Westpac Merchant fees $ BSNSW memberships $ Accounts received for payment: North Rocks Community Centre $ BSNSW Memberships $ Moved that the Treasurer s report be accepted Moved: G. Gordon Seconded: C. Buckingham CORRESPONDENCE OUT: Invitations to Jean Painter, Gary Gazzard and Mario Capasso to judge our 2011 Annual Show Request to Judges Committee to allow an overseas judge (David Ingo) for our Annual Show Letter to BSNSW Secretary & Vice Chairperson detailing our $2000 donation CORRESPONDENCE IN: Illawarra / St George Young Bird Show schedules Central Coast Branch YBS schedules Southern Cup YBS schedules Acceptance responses from Jean, Gary and Mario Thank you from Jean Painter re donation Acknowledgement from Jean Painter that our request re David Ingo will be determined by the Judges Committee Membership list from Ted New member Philip Ashby BRASEA Auction Schedules Moved that the Correspondence be accepted- Moved: C. Buckingham Seconded: I. Manton GENERAL BUSINESS: Christmas Party booked Sunday 5 th December, Caterers need $500 deposit. Check if caterers can supply coffee. Special note in Newsletter to promote event, and we need to know who is coming. Invite Warren & Cathy Wilson, Bruce & Nola Bradford, Stuart & Julie. Moved that we pay $ deposit Moved: S. Calabrese Seconded: C. Spare

19 Annual Show advert in Budgerigar Craig & Mark to organize Moved that we pay for a full page ad in Budgerigar Moved: K. Manton Seconded: R. Galbraith Possibility of drafting a handout booklet for new members to promote Hills & budgerigars Santo to work on this Rings must be only sold to members Guest speaker & judge for September Keith Nicholls or Alan Reid? MANAGEMENT REPORT There were not enough members present to represent a quorum, so the AGM did not take place. As per the objects & rules, another AGM will be attempted the following Monday. BSNSW Annual Show motion to hold the Show in June was rescinded. Now looking at 20 th March (West Sydney s usual date), to be confirmed at next Management meeting. Request to have Platinum Wing double points for Northside to assist them with exhibits was denied. Objects Rules & ByLaws to be added to the Budgerigar Website if space permits Tamworth Cage Bird Club has formally changed their name to Tamworth Budgerigar Society. Request from this group to have the associate details thus amended, plus be permitted to enter a team at the STC show was granted. New England Branch spoke against this but was over-ruled. A vote on the 3 birds / 2 birds motion was taken resulting in 5 for and 5 against. Warren as Chairman made his casting vote against the motion. Ongoing Management meetings at Guildford Leagues Club venue to be determined The motion from the Judges Committee for teams to enter 3 birds per variety rather than 4 was not considered favorable by the majority of those present. 64,370 blue rings have been sold to date Anyone wishing to steward at the 2011 National in Canberra should contact Steve Wacwitz The Kellyville venue is not available to hold the STC selection on the required Saturday. Ted looking at other venues. RAS Easter Show possibility of a flat $30 entry fee for up to 30 birds Illawarra / St George YBS 24 th October ANNUAL SHOW - Committee worked on schedule amendments for 2011 MEETING CLOSED: PM. PETER DODD CHAIRMAN KATHY MANTON SECRETARY

20 MINUTES OF THE MONTHLY MEETING HILLS BRANCH - B.S.N.S.W. (Inc.) Meeting held at Don Moore Community Centre on Friday 27 th August 2010 MEETING OPENED: 8.25pm Peter Dodd presided. PRESENT: As per attendance sheet. NEW MEMBERS: Colin & Madeline Ciantar VISITORS: Bruce & Nola Bradford, Warren Wilson, Mario & Carol Galea, Nicholas, Alex Agius APOLOGIES: D & J Zammit, Ken & Denise Mitchell, Mark Chidel, Helen, William, & Penny Charalambous, Richard Abraham Moved that the apologies be accepted. Moved: A. Ozoux Seconded: P. Brett PREVIOUS MINUTES: Moved that previous minutes are a true and accurate record Moved: A. Ozoux Seconded: M. Hill BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES: Xmas Party Harry C to find out actual costs to cater the event. TREASURER S REPORT: All accounts approved at previous Branch and Committee meetings have been paid. Income received since last meeting: P. Dodd seed $68.00 Expenditure since last meeting: Elenbee Bird Seed $ Accounts Received for payment tonight: Santo Calabrese - newsletters $ P. Dodd suppers $ B. Findlay table show trophies $ Moved that accounts be paid and Treasurer s Report be accepted. Moved: P. Brett Seconded: M Hill CORRESPONDENCE IN: Letter from Society Vice President seeking variety sponsorships of $200 each for the 2011 ANBC National Aug / Sept Budgerigar Magazines North Rocks hall bookings confirmed Hills Rural News CORRESPONDENCE OUT: Moved that the Correspondence be accepted Moved: A. Ozoux Seconded: S. Calabrese GENERAL BUSINESS: Suffused Yellows & Whites to move from AOSV section of the Standard, to under that BES in the matrix - anticipated effective date for NSW is 1 st Jan 2011 Moved that the $2,000 donation to the BSNSW Inc be designated to provide 1 x $200 Black Eyed Self National variety sponsorship (as per request from Jean Painter, Vice President) and that the remaining $1,800 go towards the purchase of registration satchel bags (and that some recognition be given to Hills Branch for the donation). Moved: A Ozoux Seconded: J. Clarke Reminder to all that Graeme Gordon is the new ring registrar. He requires money up front for all ring purchases, and that one must be a financial member to buy rings. Tip use an oil scented burner to attract moths Christmas Party 5 th December 2010 at Ian & Kathy Manton s home at Marsden Park. BSNSW President, Warren Wilson presented the NSW Clearwing Challenge award for 2010 to Letti Renn. Presentation of Table Show Variety Awards Ross Selig is seeking to conduct interviews and take publicity photos to promote the Branch please contact Ross if able to assist. MEETING CLOSED: 9.09 pm PETER DODD CHAIRMAN KATHY MANTON SECRETARY