Saturday, 07 November 1998
Dear Linda
As you very well know there is no couscous here in Mexico but instead I
use "pasta" for the birds and they start to eat it, as you advice. I
introduced the food gradually and they seem to like it.
Since I changed the diet as you told me, I have no sick birds, before
that I lost several females because they would go light. I think it is
great to have a friend to consult when you have trouble.
The bee pollen improved the song in my birds. They look more healthy and
more active. I give bee pollen two times per week. I observed that they
sing louder, much more frequently, and more brilliant.
You can use my name and my e mail if you like, I hope I can help anybody
who wants to breed canaries here in Mexico.
Saludos Marco
Hi Linda,
The 1998 breeding season has created a relationship between me and my
birds that I had begun to think was not possible. Four years ago I
entered the roller canary fancy after a hiatus of fifteen years during
which time I concentrated on rearing my children, sending them off to
college, teaching honors classes, coaching the academic decathlon,
coaching voice students for auditions including the Met auditions.
Now, it's me and the birds. When I started up again, everyone was using
cornbread as the main food for feeding baby birds., For four years I had
a high mortality rate. The current philosophy among local breeders
seemed to be to use Solu-tracin to take care of any enteritis that might
happen. Solu-tracin didn't help. Chicks died anyway. They seemed to
thrive for a week, then die.
Thanks to your canarytales web site and your personal replies to my
questions I have experienced some real "Wonders".
Finally, in your book "Canary Tales" I especially appreciate the
scientific study on rape seed. Just briefly: Canola rape is more
healthful for the birds..
Keep on sharing,
EJ
Regarding adding soy products to increase fertility:
Hi Willie,
Meeting you at the National in Chicago was a real treat after
communicating over the net this last year. As promised I want to relay
my success with your recommended soft molt treatment. My breeders were
going bald fast this spring. I used the B-complex vitamins as you
recommended. In days no feathers were dropping. I was still concerned
that I would lose a breeding season. Not to worry. I raised 26 young
from three hens. Their sons went to the National. They won best team in
division 16 WATERSLAGERS. You better believe they got some B vitamins
when they came home to reduce the potential from stress related illness.
Keep up the good work!
elgue@igu.net.mx
Wonder Number 1:
This season began the same way as before. But this time, I reviewed
what I fed before my break from bird breeding. I went back to an
egg-based formula: bread crumbs, cereals (wheat based and oats) to which
I added poppy seeds, brewers yeast, vionate, and Knox gelatin, a balance
of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. The effect on the
birds was dramatic. The hens fed with enthusiasm. The chicks ate with
greed. And there was NO need for Solu-tracin. I lost no chicks. And the
chicks feathered-out with enhanced color. "This was the first Wonder!"
Wonder Number 2:
Of course, if you use eggs, you have to reduce them to a blendable
state. I had always used a MOULI grater, which does one egg at a time.
Then in a bowl you blend the eggs with the dry ingredients by hand.
"Second Wonder!" Then I discovered the food processor! Thanks Linda!
Eggs are blended with dry ingredients in seconds.
Wonder Number 3:
"The Third Wonder!" I discovered couscous! Again thanks Linda! If you
are not acquainted with couscous, it is derived from wheat (semolina) and
is a good source of protein.
Wonder Number 4:
And the "Fourth Wonder!" Something I had always wondered about, although
it was never a big problem for me, was that some hens seemingly
interested in breeding and nesting, would lay clear eggs, maybe lay some
on the floor, or lay only one or two eggs. Again, you have clearly
defined the reason: overfeeding of food designed by the breeder to get
the hens ready for breeding but that is too rich in carbohydrates, which
over-stimulate the hens, leading to their unacceptable and unproductive
behavior.
Dear Linda,
The hens I am feeding according to the fertility plan with added soy
products are all they incubating their eggs. One of them have five eggs:
four fertile and one with doubts. Another hen have four eggs: all
fertile. The third hen has laid his fifth egg yesterday, will see in five
days. I am more confident with couscous and soybean products and I have
not seen any problem with to high of protein level making the feet red.
First hatchings are expected for next week.
Regards, Willie
So far the results look great.
I have been experimenting with the old hens. I see the most effect with
soy powder then soy grits. The soy baby formula and hand feeding formulas
containing soy have less effect. The soy baby formula is 15% soy. The
hens I am experimenting with are all around six years old and way past
their prime. When I feed soy powder they get very active and look good.
The effect with the soy powder lasts about three days.
Linda
Yours in the hobby,
Richard Rolloff