A total of fourteen fanciers visited my Birdroom in the month of January including Pat Doyle from County Louth Rep of Ireland. Pat has now got a nice family of my Fifes since his first visit in 2010. This last year 2011 his birds bred from my stock have won Best Novice and Best Fife over in the Rep of Ireland. This last visit saw him take back a lovely Yellow Green Hen out of "Hawkeye"

 

 

 

Gary & Andy Hughes from Rhos, Wrexham also took a few more to strengthen their family of Fife, which are all from my stud, this partnership will be hitting the show scene for the first time this year. Up and coming novice Dan Stevens from down the Conwy Valley, in North Wales came for a Blue Hen to pair to his good Yellow Green Cock, that won Best Novice and Best Fife twice in 2011. My birds have now been transferred into my second birdroom, the Hens totaling thirty six are all in an indoor flight, until the end of the month, the cocks totaling twenty two are in single cages.

The temperature is a constant 50 degrees F, the lights have been extended and the birds get 12 hours light every day. The cocks are really bouncing, the Hens are also coming nicely into condition. Old "Hawkeye" looks good again, having sired thirty one youngsters in 2011. I'm looking for a few more out of him again this year. The " Golden Pair" H.V.Blue Cock and Vari Yellow Hen from Gerald Spencer are also looking good, hoping to produce some more like the good White Hen of last Year.

My IOA rings have arrived, and having not competed in Europe since 2008 if my health keeps ok, I will be sending birds to compete abroad this time round. Finally to all those fanciers who have kept in touch re my health, a big thank you, I've been told to slow up, so its up to me. See you in the month of February with another update. Dave.

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A quiet month, with not many visitors but plenty of enquiries for birds. The birds are getting near to complete fitness in time for pairing up second week of March. The main birdroom is ready for breeding, all boxes been painted and sprayed to eliminate any form of mite.

 

"Hawkeye" itching to get with the Hens. Last year he sired over thirty youngsters with a 96% fertility rate. He is now four year old and will be paired to four or five Hens again this year 100% Gerald Spencer .Bred by my good friends Jim & Marlene Gibson.

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My first youngsters hatched out on 28th March from a "Abbas" and a "Atira", three youngsters. followed by five youngsters from a "Gaia" x "Agathe"

I have had a number of clear eggs. the weather here in North Wales is so changeable. Its early days, although their are youngsters about, even some on perches. I went to the Fife Federation AGM in Blackpool on Sunday 1st April, only six clubs represented out of over twenty who are affiliated.

Main topic was a proposal that the distance between perches on the show cages be reduced by one wire, to make it a four spaces between perches as opposed to the current five spaces. This was defeated, the new pictorial model as drawn up by Andy McEwan was excepted. Other issues raised were concerning the Canary Council.

 

First chicks of 2012 out of "Atira" feeding her chicks.	"Agathe" covering her five chicks.

As I pen these notes on the 30th April, I have thirty youngsters to date. Had a few mishaps but I'm confident that I will breed one hundred plus this season. I've been asked more than once when do I put my youngsters on hard seed. Firstly I wean off between 22 - 24 days old, the youngsters are put on a bed of "Easybed" , they have plenty of broccoli, soft food "Gold Label Feast" and soak seed in front of them. They also have pin head oat meal and a mixture of Haith Kraker Tonic, Haith Condition Seed and wild Bird seed, I find this mixture a good introduction before going on to Country Wide seed in one month time.

 

Paid a visit to young up and coming Fife fanciers down the Conwy Valley, Dan Stevens and Greg Spencer the other day, both are very keen, and have done well on the CBS front. Both had youngsters and two nice bird rooms. 

 

Dan Stevens with his good 2011 Yellow Green Cock winner of numerous prizes in 2011.	Greg Spencer with his Terry Kelly Cock

I'm glad to here that Jim Gibson is better after not being to well lately, it was from Jim that I had my good stock cock "Hawkeye". This cock bred thirty plus youngsters in 2011, I was wondering if he was going to do the business again this year, well I'm pleased to say I have four youngsters to date from him, including two with his daughter "Adele". and he has just put three more hens down, so the old fellow has it still him. See you next month.