DONALD SKINNER-REID puts his spare time to good use deciding on his Scots, Belgian and Giboso breeding tactics.
CANARIES
EDINBURGH lies on the River Forth (which looks like the sea) in the south-east of Scotland and is sheltered from a lot of winter weather. This year, however, we did have snow and enough of it to make a trip out on foot not possible. So, how better to employ my time on a snowy Sunday than by playing with the birds?
I enjoy the time I spend with my canaries. My stepson asked if I knew them all (52 currently) and I said from the ring numbers I could picture each bird, although, admittedly, I might sometimes struggle with their parentage, save for my good records. I note each nest as the eggs are laid (I don’t remove and set the eggs) and I mark in my wee book each hatching date and the ring number for each individual in each nest. Hatching dates are stuck on the cages.
At the time of writing, I have been sorting out my plans for the Scots, Belgian and Giboso pairings this season. I reckon that I will have about 24 pairs: 13 Scots, seven Belgian and four Gibosos.
Denne historien er fra February 28, 2018-utgaven av Cage & Aviary Birds.
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Denne historien er fra February 28, 2018-utgaven av Cage & Aviary Birds.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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The World's Best-Known Hummingbird?
Intensively studied, the gem-like Anna’s hummingbird is a welcome visitor to the gardens of America’s most populous state: California. Bill Naylor investigates its life history
The charm of the English Cinnamon
Despite its long and complicated history, the true Cinnamon canary is still with us – in the hands of a tiny group of breeders. DONALD SKINNER-REID reckons it deserves wider appreciation
Spangles: a personal overview
FRED WRIGHT relates a budgie story of over-exploitation, consequent problems and abundant potential for the future
New converts to old breeds
Old and rare canaries have a reputation for adding fresh interest and challenge to the hobby. PETE HOOK and NICK JOY agree, and explain the birds’ charm to Dave Brown
Themed aviaries are a hit with the public at annual Stafford show
DECORATIVE AVIARY DISPLAYS from a CBS and an online bird keeping advice group were voted in the top three by visitors for the inaugural Stafford Aviary Competition.
Pieds with potential
More than just a lesser variety, the dominant pied will introduce challenge and change into most studs, reckons CLIVE WAKEMAN. Here he discusses pairings to try and others to avoid
Club News
Welcome to the club and show pages – the bit that’s all about you Results: convention, specialist & rare and Breeder of the Year
Canaries Month by Month:
With Christmas around the corner, BRIAN KEENAN is well into his winter programme, and reckons he might deserve a nice outcross
Smart Choice, Docile Nature
Dave Brown welcomes the masked grassfinch to his birdroom and shares advice on this lovely Australian species
The truth about the ‘flying toad'
Odd local names and weird superstitions can’t hide the beauty and elegance of the nightjar, a species that has made a fascinating subject in a few zoo collections, reveals BILL NAYLOR
