Editorials and Articles

The Mystery Surrounding the tragedy of
Wendy and Craig Davis

We were encouraged to advance our interest in budgerigars following a display and educational seminar presented by the Vancouver Island Cage Bird Society several years ago. One of the more caring and enthusiastic members took us "under his wing" and introduced us to several sources of young birds of good quality which might provide the basis of our future stud. We ultimately purchased 30 such birds, constructed a new birdroom in a corner of the garage, (no longer used for cars) with an attached exterior flight (8' x 10'), and commenced breeding our line of budgies.

?It is worth commenting here on the construction details of the aviary as they will certainly be questioned later on. The garage itself is a building approximately 20' x 20', positioned roughly ten feet from the rear of the house. An area 6' x 8' was defined in a back corner and was framed with standard stud grade lumber. The exterior walls were insulated with 6" of fibreglass insulation and a plastic vapour barrier was also utilized. The interior walls were covered with "chipboard" and were painted with white latex paint A large indoor flight, 3' x 4' x 8', was built against one of the exterior walls using standard 1/2" x 1" galvanized welded cage wire. The opposite wall housed our 9, all-wire, breeding cages. The cement floor was also painted with a latex concrete paint. The ceiling was covered with the same material as the walls and insulated with 10" of fibreglass. Air ducts were located strategically, to admit fresh air close to the floor, and for it to exit on the opposite wall above the access door. To provide an even temperature during the breeding season and the winter, we purchased a new, German forced air, plastic covered, household electric heater.

?Our stock included several mature birds which allowed us to get started immediately. By the end of the first full year of breeding, we had rung many chicks. Selective pairing from our records and those provided to us from the original breeder, enabled us to embark on a well considered line breeding programme over the next two years. Each of those years saw our stock increase to 80 to 100 birds, sold back to 25/30 and the subsequent pairing of 16 to 18birds. We felt that we were well on our way to the show bench and were most excited about the coming breeding season.

?Our routines were well established with respect to feed, water, room temperature, supplements etc.; we were having success with our regime and did not wish to gamble with a healthy stud. On the morning Christmas eve, at approximately 9.30 am, we fed and watered the birds as usual. A trip, out to the adjacent workshop around noon found the bird room unusually quiet. As we opened the door we expected to see the team engrossed in some curiosity which had rendered them speechless. We were awed and horrified to find every bird lying dead on the floor of the flight.

?The air was incredibly still, odourless and tasteless. Once the original shock had abated we began the frustrating task of analyzing the cause of this tragedy. Conversations with the Provincial Department of Consumer Affairs, Fire Department, Federal Department of Hazardous Products and the British Columbia Department of Health, among others. Produced nothing.

Our superficial analysis of the situation was that none of our rigid routines had varied, and that something had been ingested, or inhaled, by all the birds at the same time. They were all in the same state and had all died in a very short time. it seemed that food and drink did not fit the pattern as not all birds would have been affected equally. We therefore deduced that something must have altered the condition of the air itself. The only variable fixture in the room was the aforementioned heater.

?Necropsies were performed by the Federal Department of Agriculture who, though we requested tests for toxic substances proceeded with their routine "poultry oriented examination" and concluded that the birds all died from "stress and trauma". The local veterinarian had the lack of professional stature to suggest that they had all been frightened and had slammed into the walls and killed themselves!

?A good friend devoted to the fancy volunteered two of his young birds to verify our suspicions. Four days later the bird-room had been thoroughly, aired and was warmed to our standard 50 degrees. The birds were introduced to the room. In approximately 20 minutes one of the birds lost stability and although she was rushed from the room immediately, died within minutes. The second bird was removed at the same time and did not die. Her symptoms shows lack of balance and apparent disorientation. When she was re-introduced to the room with the heater removed her condition remained unchanged. When the heater was replaced and turned on the bird died within 15 minutes. Subsequent tests in our own bird-room, as well as at the University of Victoria under controlled conditions, also found that the heater was killing any birds exposed to it. The University was unable to clarify exactly what gas or otherwise had been given oft by the heater as their equipment precluded such tests.

To this day no scientist worth his/her salt would accept our rather crude experiments as evidence, but there is no doubt in our minds that the cause of death to our birds was a highly toxic substance given of by the heater.

We have been members of the Western Canada Budgerigar Association for about 6 months and as the distance to the mainland is significant, we have yet to attend a regular meeting. We know personally perhaps 5 or 6 of the 40 to 50 members. We were advised in January that the 'Western" group had met and had unanimously voted to donate birds sufficient to re-populate our facility.

We were invited to attend a meeting in Vancouver in the spring to collect these new birds and were stunned by the universal sympathy and understanding of the membership and their indescribable generosity in gathering together some 40 show quality birds to get us started again. The new stud was impressive, to say the least, and more than one experienced breeder was heard to ask longingly if he might borrow the heater for a couple of days. This action of the Western, epitomizes what we all pretend our clubs represent. Their support, friendship and dedication to the fancy should be an example to us all.

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ATTENTION TO DETAIL

by Jim Bertrand

Part 1...Are They Ready?

For most, breeding season is upon us. We've cleaned and sterilized our cages and nest boxes. The breeding pairs have been carefully scrutinized and selected. They have been supplied with all the essentials plus whatever extras you have decided would be conducive to a lucrative season with many good quality youngsters. So now your work is done and the rest depends on the performance of the birds. You've done all you can do right?....WRONG!!!
Anyone who would believe that are either ëwet behind the ears', as far as experience in the hobby goes, or living in some parallel universe where that may be a reality. A successful breeding season can depend heavily on many small details that require a good deal of effort and observation.
Ask yourself the following questions after the initial setup of your breeding pairs:
- Do the pair show signs of compatibility?
- Are they displaying typical breeding behavior patterns?
- Is the hen interested in the nest box?
- Is she displaying chewing behavior on wood, cuttlebone, mineral blocks...etc?
- Is she spending increasing amounts of time in the nest box?
- Are her droppings becoming loose and more copious?
- Is her vent area beginning to swell?
- Does she respond favorably to her mate's advances?
- Is the cock active and vigorously pursuing the hen without being too aggressive?
- Is he a young inexperienced bird that may need special attention to watch for intimidation from the hen or inability to properly copulate?
- Is there an excessive amount of down around his vent area that must be trimmed to ensure fertilization?
- Have you actually witnessed the pair ëconsecrating' the marriage?
- Are you checking daily to make sure they have a constant supply of grit, cuttlebone, minerals, etc.(not to mention food and fresh water)?
- Are your heat and lights consistent?
- Do you have a reasonably steady schedule for aviary chores, etc.?
- Are you giving the birds some relished extras(like fresh greens)to keep them contented?
-I'm sure there are lots of other questions I haven't thought of at this moment.

Part 2 will be "Questions to ask yourself during egg laying"

Part 3 will tackle "Questions to ask yourself during the hatching/rearing stage