An Interview with Moieen Ahmed, A Champion Budgerigar breeder from Sialkot (Pakistan) By Mobassir Sattar Khan from Pakistan July, 2006 Introductions Q-1. I know that you are very experience and well known Budgerigars breeder, but for new comers please give us a brief introduction about yourself. Answer:Well I started my hobby way back in 1995-6, at that time with obvious choice Budgerigars, these were the parrots readily available. As time passed my interest in budgerigars increased. And then here comes the stage that i shifted towards Exhibition budgerigars. Q-2. Are you involve in this fancy as just for a hobby or now it is your profession? Answer: I am just at hobby level. Basic Information Q-1. What is your basic profession and where do you live, also tell us where your aviary is located? Answer: I am working as Merchandiser in LEATHER FIELD Pvt Ltd. I live in Sialkot an industrial city of Punjab, my avairy is also in my residence. Q-2. How did you get interested in the fancy and what attracted you to the Budgerigar? Answer: well the first their colors, then their mutations. Q-3. Do you have a Standard of bird that you desire to breed in Exhibition Budgerigars? Answer: well i want to achieve certain standards in color and size as well. Q-4. Are you member of any Budgerigar or Misc bird s club/society? Answer: yes of both societies. Q-5. How many birds do you keep in your stock every year? Answer: Almost 20-25 Q-6. Which color or variety is your most favorite? Answer: Orginal Budgerigar green. Q-7. Please also brief use about start and end time of your breeding and non breeding season in your area, and at what period your birds start moulting? Answer: Breeding start is usually at September which ends till April. Moulting is usually in May-July. Q-8. Basic information about weather conditions in your area and the weather effects on your birds? Answer: well Sialkot has extreme weather.
Background Q-1. Please share something with our readers about your background in the Budgerigars hobby how and when you initially started and what period of time have you been involved with this hobby? Answer:well i started this hobby in 1995-96 its been almost 10yrs now. Initially it was just to relax myself, but now I enjoy this hobby and love to spend my free time with my birds. Q-2. Where did your initial stock come from? And when you feel that you need to introduce good blood line from any well reputed champion breeder. Answer: Initiall stock was from local pets store and i spent almost 5yrs with them, then I got some good exhibition birds from breeders and importers. My observations showed me that the bloodline and new born birds are getting weak, and also not getting the size and desired features, so these some of the conditions drove me to add new strong blood line. Q-3. What common problems you faced at the earlier stage of your hobby? and when you start feeling that you are now comfortable with this hobby and you can handle most common problem related with Budgerigars. Answer: well the common problems were the weather problem, their observations, as at early stages it was hard to guess which birds are sick. Then the problem was the selection wasnt aware of the quality features, I am still not comfortable with my hobby as comfortability is some thing which means constant and I hate constant things. I want to see happenings all the time, makes me happy when i truoble shoot my birds problems. Management Q-1. Basic introduction about your aviary management program? Answer: My site is of very basic having a good room but dont know the dimensions i choose the room coz the extreme nature in our region. Q-2. Would you please share some thing in brief with us about one year planning of your bird s management program? Answer: last year i didnt take any breed at all, becasue the newly added birds were young, so i will start breeding by this September, at the moment my set target is to get atleast 5-10 good birds from my own avairy for 1-2 next year s planning. Q-3. How do you maintain your record? For that are you are using any professional bird s management software or you prefer manual record keeping. Answer: well at the moment using excelled spread sheet and manual froms to maintain the records. Q-4. Do you mark eggs if yes then tell us what style of marking are you using? Answer: Nopes I dont mark the eggs. Q-5. What type of marker or pen do you use for marking and do you ever have problems when hen the refuses marked eggs? Answer: NA Q-6. Do you use fosters, if yes then please share your fostering experience with us, especially how do you select fostering couples? Answer: No I rely on orginal pairs, never used fostering.
Q-7. How do you handle the chicks in the nest and in early ages, especially in case of mother death or feeding refusal by parents then how do you mange a day old chick? Answer: well it happens only twice to me and I moved these chicks to my friends pair for fostering. Q-8. At what age you ring your chicks? Answer: 1-2weeks Q-9. How do you plane for safety of your birds from different weather conditions Answer: As told earlier i use room so it has proper ventilation and covering heat system too. Q-10. Any suggestions from you for all new comers that how they should plan their management program to reduce risk of common basic problems. Answer: well just go with 2-3pairs initially for one year, observe problems spent time with birds and always keep the notes and then move on carefully. Breeding Q-1. At what time do you start breeding each year? Answer: September Q-2. Are you breeding all Misc color or you are specializing in any specific variety/varieties. If you are breeding any specific variety then please tell us how and why did you chose that colors and what about your success in that specified area? Answer: Nopes didnt go for any specific yet but has plan to go for Green. And Blue Q-3. What are the roles of "normal" budgerigars in your success, do you also use normal budgerigars for the improvement of size and quality of any other variety? Answer: well at the moment i am researching on this, but not implemented, might introduce some in near future. Q-4. How many pair do you prepare each year for breeding and what are the ratio of extra cocks and hens do keep ready incase of any urgent requirements? Answer: I prefer to stick with 4-5 pairs only. I keep 1-2 extra cocks. And 1-2 hens. Q-5. How many birds do you breed each year and how many clutches do you take from one pair. Answer: usually prefer to take 2-3 clutches from a pair. Q-6. Do you select your pair for breeding by their visual quality or genetically? And also mention if you have any other criteria of selections when pairing up? Answer: Well I keep my faith in nature and in my luck I keep them together for 2weeks before breeding and let the birds choose their partners by themselves. Q-7. And what important thing you consider when you put the birds into the breeding cages? Answer: Their comfortability. Q-8. Do you use inbreeding or line-breeding system? And what are your opinions on line breeding? Answer: No never tried it.
Q-9. What basic points of pairings do you recommend to consider new comers to produce the best exhibition? Answer: First the environment and then never force them to breed, choose healthy birds from well reputed breeder, but never go for expensive one at start. Most important is keep your patience. Q-10. Answer: How do you go about obtaining suitable out-crosses from other fanciers? Q-11. How do you differentiates between controlled and uncontrolled breeding systems, and would you please share you personal experience about both systems? Answer: well I control my breeding by keep the males-females separate. But i didnt get the point uncontrolled? Q12. Any other points you would like to mention which hasn't been covered above Answer Answer: Food and Basic care???? Stage two questions Diseases / medication My Setup Nutrition Diseases / medication Q-1.Would you please point out names of most common diseases in Budgerigars, and as per your practical experience which disease are most dangerous in budgerigars? Answer: I very rarely found my birds ill, but the most common I found are dehydration, and catching cold during start of winter season. Q-2. How do you monitor your aviary for any active sign of any illness or disease? Answer: watch closely the birds and take some notes as reminder. Q-3. What immediate action you take at the time of first sign of any illness? Answer: Separation of ill birds, Use of disinfectors. Q-4. How much effort do you put into trying to cure a sick bird? Answer: As much as possible, maximum possible. Q-5. Do you use preventative medication during breeding and none breeding seasons? If yes then please tell us which medicines do you use, why do you selected these medicines and how do you schedule them. Answer: Answer: yes I use Pssitavit as preventive medicine. But don t use it for long periods prefer to keep my birds away from medicines. Q-6. What action you take to minimize health risk, I mean how do you prevent your aviary from diseases? Answer: keep my aviary clean, proper ventilation, use of disinfector, less walk in.
Q-7. As per your personal experience what are the key factor to maintain good health in your flock. Answer: proper food, clean water, Q-8. What medicines or medical related instrument should be always present in aviary? Answer: feeding tubes, calcium, antibiotic, anti Diheria Q-9. Do you or any of your friends have experience of uses of homeopathic or herbal medicine for birds, if yes please share that experience with us. Answer: yes I did try to use some calcium made for human use, I didn t notice any unusual activity. Q-10. At end of medical related question I would like you to tell us about side effect of medicines which we normally use for preventions or treatment around the year, as I heard that excessive use of medicines can increase infertility problems? Answer: well yes I told you before I always prefer to keep my birds away from medicines as much as possible. I faced some problems due to use of medicines, I would recommend using as less medicine as you can. My Setup Q-1. Do you remember what was your first setup was look like? Answer: yes only one cage Q-2. Please explain your current aviary design. (I will appreciate if you brief it with picture), would please also tell us that did you design your aviary with your own idea or you hired some to do it for you? Answer: well its not proper customized aviary, I can t explain more will attach the pics. Q-3. In how many cages are you breeding today? And would you please explain design and size of your breeding cage and what are the benefits of your current design? Answer: 5-cages are breeding and they are 2X2 feet, I found the Budgerigars do lot better in close small setup. Q-4. How many indoor and outdoor flights do you have and how many birds you keep in one flight, please also explain sizes and design of these flights. Answer: I have only one out door flight it is of 6 X2, I keep almost 6-12 birds in it. Design is simple 6feet long and 2feet wide open cage covered with green net to prevent it from weather extreme. Q-5. Please also tell us how do you divide your stock in different flights, I mean by cocks and hens or by adult and young birds? Answer: I separate them on basis of adult and young birds. Q-6. Tell us something about your hospital and quarantine cages, how many do you have and what area of your aviary you specified for treatment and quarantine process? I will appreciate if you please tell new comers benefits of quarantine process.
Answer: well I have only one cage as till now I don t have high ratio of sick birds at all, quarantine is very important process for new and outgoing birds, I recommend to keep new birds at least for 2weeks. I use one cage which is totally separate from my setup. Pls keep in mind keep this cage clean and as simple as possible, don t use regular food in it. Q-7. Do you think that fresh air should also pass through your aviary and how do you control and manage air ventilation in your aviary Answer: yes it is very important. I have small windows for this purpose. Q-8. How important lighting play a role for healthy flock and fertility, and what type of lighting system do you use, sun light or any artificial lighting system. Answer: I depend on artificial lighting system, Pls don t use regular lights, I use special daylight and night neon lights. I had better results than the daylights. Q-9. How do you maintain temperature within your aviary? Answer: I cover it properly also use, electric heaters for winter. Q-10. Now after your huge experience of this hobby if you got a chance to build your aviary once again (Complete new setup), will you still go for your current aviary design or you have some latest idea s which fulfill your latest requirement? Answer: well I will then go with new design, which will be totally separate from my home. Q-11. Ok, with your huge experience at the end of Aviary setup section please guide if a new comer ask you to design a new setup for him for about 10 breeding pairs, So how you will design it with all current facilities and future expansions?. Answer: For 10 breeding pairs. I would recommend at least setup of 15-20 cages, I would recommend a design which is can be completed in the room, with proper facility of fresh air and sunlight. At the moment I don t have any particular design in my mind. Nutrition Q-1. We all know that good nutrition is key of success, so tell us about importance of good and controlled nutrition in your point if view? Answer: well it is essential for your birds. But always use them in controlled manner, never use excessive. Q-2. What about you re feeding program, and what are the differences in your feeding compared to other studs? Answer: well I offer different foods to my birds, basic seeds mixture, food pellets, weekend treats, some green and fresh vegetables, boiled eggs, etc. well usually people only use seeds. Q-3. What mix do you use? And where do you source your seed from? Answer: I get them from local store, I don t use any special mix its just basic seeds you can find any where easily. Q-4. What is difference between your birds diet in breeding and non-breeding seasons? And how do you schedule it in both seasons. Answer: well in breeding season I tend to offer them more protein and calcium based diets.
Q-5. Seed mix can only fulfill less then 50% needs of budgerigars body, do you agree with this comment? And how important do you think the constituents of the seed mix are? Answer: well I don t think so, I have seen birds which don t eat any other offered foods except seeds and they are doing gr8 than the others. But as general yes I think make it 60-70% Q-6. What are the importance of supplements in budgerigars in your opinion and tell us about any well known supplements you may use. Answer: I use Soluvit Plus, Growmore, Amino acid. Q-7. How do you schedule multivitamins in breeding and none breeding season and share with us what brand name you use? Answer: well I use the above mentioned supplements, with 3days in each week for each supplement and keep three days without out vitamins, once in a week I use calcium. In non breeding season more concentration is on electrolytes. Q-8. Importance of grit in budgerigars in your pint of view, and how do you offer it to your birds? Answer: I always keep the girt in cage, doesn t matter which season it is. I think it is very important for birds health. But I cannot make and pinpointed benefits. Q-9. Calcium is also most important part of nutrition, how do you fulfill need of calcium of your birds? Answer: As mentioned earlier I use calcium once in every week during breeding season, usually use Calcivit. But calcium syrups for human use are also ok. Q-10. Do offer greens to your birds, please explain what selective greens you offer in breeding and none breeding seasons and how do you schedule it? Answer: I offer them very rarely, Spinach and squash. Q-11. Almost in all established countries a range of Multivitamins/minerals/supplements are available for birds in different brands, would you like share any good name with your successful experience? Answer: Slouvit, growmore, calcivit, Amino acid. Breeding Aid. Q-12. What soft food do you use, any readymade formula from market or you prepare your own soft food mixture? Please also share any home made soft food recipe with our readers for those who can any buy formula. Answer: No I don t use any soft food. Q-13. Are you satisfied about water quality in your country or do use any water purifies system such as water cleaning medicines? Also tell us how you schedule fresh water (without any supplements) in your aviary in both breeding and none-breeding seasons because in our area most of the fancier remove water container from cages in winter, so do you?. Answer: I never removed water in any season, always use clean filtered water ever use tap water, changes water daily. Any other points you would like to mention which hasn't been covered in topic discussed above?
Always offer some foods to sprinkle on the seeds it helps the bids and their hatched ones to prevent from unseen diseases and helps in other health problems. Stage three questions Society & Shows Q-1. For how long have you been involved with a Budgerigar society or club, and what are your roles now in your society? Would you also please tell us what your ring code numbers are? Answer: well I joined the Budgerigar society just a year ago, my ring code is AA15. Q-2. What are the benefits of becoming a member of any bird s society in your opinion? And which part of the hobby do you prefer, showing or breeding? Answer: I think the sharing of experiences, I prefer breeding. Q-3. How many budgerigars societies/clubs are actively working in your country/area at the moment? Answer: At the moment I know the only one Q-4. What is the benefit of having the National show each year? Every fancier who show his birds always want to become a national and World Champion, so what are you plan for it? Answer: Well my first love and motive is budgerigars itself, so at the moment want to get and gain some knowledge and understandings about budgerigars, so far I have no plan to participate in any show until I start my own bloodline. Q-5. In which shows do you participate normally? And how many birds would you typically show. And it is true that you have never shown a bought bird? Do you also consider age factor before selection of show team. Answer: well as told above, I didn t participate coz I have only bought birds so far don t have my breed, so I never showed till now. Q-6. Tell us something about your first champion bird, that bird was really the best bird in your stud in your show team? Was it from a winning family or a blood line from another champion breeder? Answer: I didn t participate in show, but at my setup I have a violet male which is from bloodline of Holland champion he is cool Q-7. Has that bird won before? What is the background of that champion bird? Do you think that bird was a lucky winner? Answer: no that bird has never participated. Q-8. How many birds would you typically show? What are the criteria about selections of your show team, and at what age you start consideration an individual bird for a member of next show team because I believe every fancier who participate in shows also a judge because he judge his own birds for best selections of show team.
Answer: well if I would be showing then I will select bird of 1-1.6 yrs bird. Q-9. What s your experience says about a good ratio of your winning birds always came through a champion family or a visually low quality pair can also produce a show winner. Answer: well my experience is champion carries the champion blood and usually you don t get more surprises. Q-10. Would you please like to describe briefly that what preparation would your team have and do you use any specific training methods? Note: (for all above question I requested for short answer but here I would like ask for detailed information from training and final preparation to showing your bird.) Answer: well first and important preparation is to make bird human friendly, to make sure that bird don t get scared. I prefer to keep them near to humans, Q-11. What do you do when you return from a show, I mean what you do for the quick recovery of show/traveling stress. And how do make it assure that birds you are taking back from the show are not carrying any disease with them. Answer: when I travel my birds at return I keep them fresh with vitamin added water, and keep them in small cage so that they can take rest and don t take un necessary flights. Q-12. How many Challenge Certificates, Variety champion awards and show winner awards do you have till now? Answer: at moment I don t have any. Q-13. Dose your societies also allow sale/purchase during or after show? And do you also have any experience of buying some good blood line from show or plane for buying from a show participant in future? Answer: well usually yes people to sell and buy after show, I don t think so that I will go for any show bird they are simply very expensive. Q-14. How important is wining for any fancier and how should he/she react when get beaten, and what is you personal experience on this topic Answer: I don t think that any one is beaten, every one is winner, coz this is hobby not sport. I believe in the every bird is worthwhile its just matter of separation. Q-15.. Have you ever participates in shows as show manager, judge, or any other member of show management team, if yes please shares your experience with us. Answer: yes show for Ringnecks I was judge, my experience, well make decision is very difficult. Its hard job. I don t want to be in this position ever again Q-16. What views do you hold on this subject that at the moment there are many different Budgerigars standards are in all over the word, don t you think it shouldn t be now centralized I mean isn t possible that every society should follow one standard. For example if every society starts follows WBO or any other international organization. Then will it not give us more advantages and success in this fancy? Answer: absolutely agreed, the standards should be the same in whole world.
Q-17. At the end of Society & Shows section if you feel any other related topic still need to discuss, and then please feel free to mention it. Otherwise please tell us Now you if are a champion breeder so what is the next challenge that you are going to plane? Answer: my challenge is to start my own good bloodline then I will concentrate to shows. Problems & issues Q-1. Infertility is one of the hottest issues for every fancier may at the early stage of his hobby. So what is your opinion on that, I also want you to please explain what common causes of infertility are, and what preventative action can reduce infertility? Answer: underage breeding is one major problem, another cause is many breeders take many clutches which effects the health of bird badly. My suggestions are always pair only mature birds, never mix males female Youngs, balance diet use of vitamins. Q-2. If you found multiple infertile clutches from a pair then how do you diagnose real issues and if one of the partners diagnose infertile then what best treatment you do for this problem. And as per you knowledge and experience the high ratio of infertility appear in hens or cocks? Answer: as per my knowledge I have experienced the more infertility in hen, but this is very minor ratio usually the ratio is almost same, we can rotate the partners, the best treatment is to give rest and provide him sufficient vitamins to cover the deficiency, there are some medicine are also available in market. Q-3. Egg binding and another big issue as earlier stage of fancy, what are the ratios of egg binding in your aviary, please also tell our members causes and preventative method of egg binding? Answer: well I don t experience egg binding except once, when you see the birds are mating and start to pair up, use the calcium in water in bigger amount till the hen lays the eggs, from this use of calcium I never had bad experience. Q-4. Please tell us some thing about excessive or chronic egg lying (when a hen is not stopping laying egg without mating with cock). Why some hens behave like this? Answer: I don t have much knowledge about this, infact never experienced this. Q-5. Hernia problem (Swelling of vent Area), after a clutch/clutches some hens appears in this condition. Can you guide our reader why some hens faces this problem, please also share your personal experience how to tackle when a hen appear in this condition and how do you treat her? Answer: calcium and iodine are best to use, use greens to prevent this, but don t know much about the root causes. Q-6. Feather Plucking is also a known problem and some time one the parent bird found plucking feathers of their young s. What is your experience on this? Answer: well I never have experienced this yet, hopefully will not get in future, my method is always keep eye on the bird and make them happy, if your bird is happy then he will never have any problem like this. Q-7. Some time we found an injured bird with broken leg, wings or in bleeding conditions, so what is your experience of treating injured birds? Answer: I do use some liquid for human. Q-8. What are your opinion on feather duster, is it a problem or a budgerigars variety. I also read some different comment on internet about feather duster for example if any of you pair produces a feather duster its mean very soon you can also get a show
winner from this par or feather duster is problem and we should diagnose and cull that bird that is carrying this problem. Please also share you personal experience. Answer: neither I have experienced this nor I have any knowledge. Sales, Value and pricing Q-1. What criteria do you use for the selection of your surpluses birds, I mean how do you grade your young/adult birds about their quality for planning either you will keep this bird or will be added in sale stock? Answer: well I prefer to wait for atleast 6-8months, my criteria is the appearance and how active and size a bird gains. Q-2. At what minimum or maximum price do you normally sell one pair? And do allow buyer to select his favorite color or quality from sell stock or you just ask for specification from buyer and then you select as per their choice. Answer: I usually don t sell, prefer to gift my friend. Q-3. Budgerigar s prices are different from country to country and a fancier to fancier, but if you got a chance to implementation of a price standard what price you will decide for a fancier should expect to pay for a quality budgerigar? Answer: well my opinion is $50US Q-4. What views do you hold on current much uncontrolled situation of these very high prices of single Budgerigars which start from 300 Euro to 1000 Euro or above? Do you still think Budgerigars fancy is still pure hobby, don t you agree with me that very high commercial factor is now Involved. Answer: I don t think so this is hobby I have doubts; there is huge commercial factor involved. Q-5. Now days buying a budgerigar from champion breeder (especially Champion fanciers) is equal or more expansive then buying a diamond necklace for you wife, so how we can still say that keeping and breeding Budgerigars is a pure hobby. So in current situation don t you think WBO and other equal organizations should work for standardizations of price and they should send standard price circulates to every budgerigar s society/clubs for their members? I believe in this way a genuine hobbyist will agree but all commercial breeders will be against of this rule. But we can easily differentiate between a hobbyist and commercial fancier. Answer: yes I agree that getting a good bird is as hard as getting a good career job, this is no more pure hobby. The WBO should take steps to promote the good budgerigar s bloodlines and should take steps to make good birds available in market, if the birds will be available the prices will automatically get down. General Q-1. Have you been to visit breeders in other countries? Answer: never, but visited almost 10 in own country (Pakistan) Q-2. What is the next challenge that you are going to take in coming years? Answer: developing my own bloodline.
Q-3. What was the best source of your knowledge about budgerigars and as per you experience what is the best source of knowledge now days? Are there any Budgerigars books that have given you inspiration and you wants to recommend it to others? Answer: I have ready many articles and lot of discussion with experienced people like Mobassir. Q-4. What do you know about Sex linked, Dominant and Recessive varieties, and what are the benefits of breeding budgerigars after understanding these factors? Answer: in my opinion there are two types of benefits one is you can go for rare varieties and get good bloods, 2 nd is for the people you are commercial minded that is money. Q-5. what method you use for Identification of fertile or infertile eggs Answer: never checked the eggs while they are laid. Q-6. What are your experience on hand feeding of sick birds and few day old budgerigars baby? Please also tell our reader that what size of crop needle you use for hand feeding of budgerigars chicks. Answer: I never had any hand feeding experiences till date, except grey parrots Q-7. What is the best breeding period of his age in Budgerigars, and in what minimum and maximum age you start allow or end breeding from you birds. Please tell in both hens and cocks. How do you deal with an older none breeder bird? Answer: minimum age is 14-16months, I think the best age is 2-6 years. For older pair I usually let them in my flight. Q-8. What opinion do you hold on this topic that some diseases from Budgerigars or other birds can transfers to human, what are your personal experience on this very serious and important topic? Answer: no never had this kind of experience, I think you keep your setup clean then the chance are very slim. Q-9. Would you please also like share who is your ideal Budgerigars breeder in current budgerigars world, and if you get a chance rating of top 3 budgerigars from all over the world then what name you will chose? Answer: well for me the ideal is my friend Mobassir, he is cool guy who believes in study and research. For rating I can t rate any one at the moment coz I think I am too junior in this hobby to rate the breeders at the moment. Q-10. Where can you see the fancy heading especially with so many fanciers leaving the hobby? Answer: I think the future is +ve but we have to make sure that there is less commercial factor involved. Q-11. What is the best tip that you have ever been given? What is best tip you want to give other with you experience? Answer: keep your setup clean and keep your birds clean they will keep you happy. Any other points you would like to mention which hasn't been covered in topics discussed above?
First of all I would like to appreciate your patience and no doubt that you continues proves your professionalism and commitment with work, I know that it was very lengthy and time taking process but you completed it with very successfully. Thanks and once again I appreciate it very much you not only prove your self a true fancier who wants to help other in this fancy but also your name and information will be now always part of this new Budgerigars information system. At the end of the interview, Please give a note on your experience being with me during this new 109-Questions by Mobassir s Interview system 2006, how did you like this new interview system. How did you complete whole interview, and how did you quote it for new comers in sense of knowledge and help. I also would like to welcome if you want to say some thing about my self or my work for the promotions of Budgerigars hobby. You re Comments: I think this is brave effort and we all should support him, he is great guy coming up with great ideas for promotion of this hobby, I myself is inspired by him and started budgerigars, though I have good setup of ring nekcs. The only hobby promotional suggestion is Please keep the money matters out of this as commercial as this will get, the more pure hobbyist will be disappointed. Moieen Ahmed A Budgerigar Fancier Sialkot (Pakistan)