DO RESEARCH

JOIN A CLUB

GET ADVICE FROM CLUB MEMBERS

DON'T BUY EXPENSIVE BIRDS AT THE START

TRY THE EASIER VARIETIES FIRST

DON'T HAVE TO MANY VARIETIES

KEEP RECORDS OF YOUR BIRDS AND RESULTS

BE PATIENT

GO TO SHOWS SEE WHO IS WINNING AND WITH WHAT TYPE OF BUDGERIAR

TRY TO GET GOOD BLOODLINES

LINE BREED

So you've decided that the world of Exhibition Budgerigars is the hobby for you. What's the next step? To attempt to establish a stud of top rate Exhibition Budgerigars and avoid common mistakes.

Two very important assets when venturing into this hobby, (1) patience and (2) the desire to acquire knowledge. A haphazard approach will yield haphazard results. Lack of preparation in establishing a firm foundation is a major contributor to the list of reasons why individuals fall out of this pastime. We live in an age where quick results are demanded. The attention to detail, the necessity for keen observation may be too much for those who expect to immediately produce "world beaters". It rarely happens and , when it does, the success is usually short-lived.

To make this hobby enjoyable you should establish a firm grasp on all aspects of budgerigar rearing. There are many highs and lows along the way and being able to cope with unexpected obstacles requires that you do your homework. You will be able to create some shortcuts by learning from the mistakes made in the past by others. But you will make mistakes.
DON'T GO OUT AND BUY EXPENSIVE BIRDS UNTIL YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR LOOKING AT

There are those who have deep pockets and can afford a lavish aviary and fill it with top quality stock, then we have the rest of us who must start meagerly and build up.

Remember you can't buy experience.

The next step will be design and construction of housing facilities.

Good idea to start small but have provisions for expansion because it may not be too long that you'll be lamenting the lack of space in your current establishment. Find as many designs as you are able and visit aviaries and take notes. Make sure that the design you are considering is comfortable for both yourself and the birds.

The floor plan of your bird room you can find by researching because there are many publications that describe aviary floor plans. Combine studying these designs with visiting local aviaries and you will develop a plan that both appeals to you and fits the area you have to work with.

When studying floor plans,and have found one you like try and get a second opinion from a breeder in the club. How you situate your flights, breeding cages and holding/training cages can affect the length of time spent on the daily routines of cleaning and feeding. I spend a lot of time observing the birds. While I'm doing this I'm assessing young developing birds, contemplating future matings, watching behavior etc. If that time is lost because I have too many breeding cages to attend or my aviary design is labor intensive, I lose that valuable time spent on what I consider to be the most rewarding part of the hobby and fun becomes work.

Good air circulation is very important for the overall health of the stock.

While I'm on the topic of unhealthy situations, it is also imperative that you make your establishment rat & mouse proof. I have heard many horror stories about vermin getting into the bird room and/or the feed storage area and creating havoc. A concrete foundation is a good deterrent but if that is not possible, metal stripping or fine mesh will also work. Look for places that you believe they could possibly chew their way through and take steps to guard against this possibility.

That's all the tips for this month email me if you have tips that you like to share. I will try and put them on our page space and time pending