Lots of plans for '98!
The Ottawa Bird Fanciers
as well as one national and one international club:
The Avicultural Advancement Council of Canada (AACC)
"The CatBird!"
We've also set up an official "Bird Room" in our spare bedroom (sometimes the volume of revelry in there gets to a point where we refer to is as the "Party Room"!), and Jim was really glad to get all those birds out of his tv room . . . but now we have 4 birds in quarantine in the tv room, so he just can't seem to win! The birds in quarantine aren't sick, they're newly purchased birds which we need to keep separated from our flock for a minimum of 30 days, and preferably 60+ days. This helps to prevent the possible introduction of disease to our aviary by a newcomer
"Two Fledglings from 3rd clutch"
"My that was refreshing!"
We plan to band all our babies this year, and will get our bands from the AACC. Also new for this season, we are considering hand feeding a few clutches. In '97 we just "hand raised" our babies, and will probably continue to do that with most of our '98 birds as well.
"Miranda & Kiwi"
The Ottawa Bird Fanciers hold a show every October, and if we're lucky enough to get some "show quality" birds out of the spring hatchings (and if they're not in the middle of first molt which occurs at 4-6 months of age!) we'll show them. I'd like to show a couple that we kept for breeding from last year's babies, but I believe their regulations don't allow unbanded birds.
It's going to be a busy, rewarding year!
Interested in more info about our birds or Aviary?
RECOMMENDED READING
We've already joined the local clubs:
The Ottawa Parrot Club
The African Lovebird Society (ALBS)
Don't allow a cat this close to your birds even when
they're caged unless it's declawed - cat claws can cause
serious (often fatal) injuries.
Our first three "official" breeding cages have arrived, and we plan to set
up three pairs with nesting boxes in March. We hope to order another three in June, for setting up more pairs over the summer.
Nothing like the smile on a happy customer!
"Hand raising" was recommended to me by an experienced breeder when I mentioned we couldn't hand feed due to our work schedules. It involves socializing the babies every day while still allowing the parents to feed them. Our first 2 clutches I didn't spend as much time with, and although they didn't bite, they were not nearly as tame as the 3rd clutch which I spent a minimum of an hour a day with.
Please e-mail us!
(books)
The Coloured Atlas of Lovebirds
Dr. Alessandro D'Angieri, T.F.H. Publications, ISBN 0-7938-0473-6
The World of Lovebirds
Brockmann & Lantermann, T.F.H. Publications (1990), ISBN 0-86622-927-2
The Complete Bird Owner's Handbook
This book is an EXCELLENT general reference guide for
bird care/behavior/health - I refer to it often
Gary A. Gallerstein (DVM), Howell Book House (1994), ISBN 0-87605-903-5
(on-line mags)
Bird Breeder On-Line
Bird Talk On-Line
Pet Bird Report
Birds-n-Ways
BULLETIN BOARDS/CHATS/MAILING LISTS
Upatsix Lovebird Chat
This "Chat" is really a bulletin board where you can leave a message and get a reply usually within 24 hrs
Lovebird Mailing List
This mailing lists averages around 100 e-mail messages a day, if you subscribe be prepared for volume! However, you DON'T have to subscribe to view their photo gallery, bird names, etc. Worth checking out.
GENERAL LOVEBIRD/BIRD INFO
Exclusively Lovebirds
Birds-n-Ways
Gillian's Help Desk
Same name as mine, but this Gillian is a specialist in toxicology - great reference site
for toxic/safe items
Exotic Bird Resources
World Parrot Trust
Park Bird Farm
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