The Lütolf stud: an introduction

In the first of a series of articles, Fred Wright describes the birds currently being bred by Swiss maestro DANIEL LÜTOLF

- Daniel Lutolf

JUST after the Budgerigar Society Club Show in Doncaster, I decided that I needed to see the birds for myself in Daniel Lütolf’s birdroom in Switzerland. I used to be a frequent visitor to central Europe over the years but I never visited Daniel’s birdroom. However, I have chatted with Daniel many times at shows and he visited my birdroom more than 20 years ago.

For quite a few years now, Daniel Lütolf seems to have been leading the way with top exhibition budgerigars around the world. His birds have had a considerable influence on birds in the UK, all over Europe, in South Africa, Brazil, Pakistan and probably a lot more countries. Lütolf birds seem to excel in the cap, in both directional feather and length of the feather. All of his birds have the reputation for the same characteristics.

For some time I have wanted to see the birds for myself and a couple of days after the Club Show I was on a flight from Gatwick to Zürich to visit the birdroom.

It did not take me long to realise that Daniel has set himself clear goals and knows exactly where he is heading with his birds. He works full time with the stock and it’s all about dedication to the birds and the birdroom, together with a complete understanding of what he is working to achieve.