Rewarding Genes ers should make every effort to learn are unrelated to each other, you will the difference! only continue to dissimilar on the Show Bench Many do distinguish birds, losing the original qualities you by Linda S. Rubin between , i.e. the breeding are trying to fix as desirable charac­ Chestnut Hills, Massachusetts of brother to sister, and perhaps half­ teristics in your exhibition lines. This National Cockatiel Society brother to half-sister, and line breed­ can be equated with having too many Consultant & Panel Judge parts in a jigsaw puzzle. Some may be (All rights reserved) ing, Le. the breeding of less closely related unions such as aunt to useful, others not, and it takes that Why are certain indiviuals so suc­ nephew, grandfather to grand­ much longer to complete the puzzle, cessful on the showbench year after daughter, cousin to cousin, etc. Some ifever. year, while others are not? Are they of the stricter adherents include Breeding a divergence of type, or just luckier than most or are they father-daughter, mother-son matings, unrelated birds, can be a necessary using a special technique, perhaps a under the heading of inbreeding, step in prodUcing a few exceptional set of principles, seemingly con­ rather than assign these unions to the individuals on which to base a family cealed as the elusive"secrets" of line-breeding category. line, thereby setting the stage for breeding for show? While inbreeding is a desirable and future linebreeding or inbreeding of Successful breeders of such popu­ useful tool to be used by the skilled related stock. lar species as budgerigars and canar­ aviculturist, it should not be hap­ Simply put, one must first either ies, have known for years how to hazardly practiced by the less experi­ produce some exceptional stock (or create an exhibition line or breeding enced beginner. Linebreeding, on the acquire some through purchase), on stud. When listening to accom­ other hand, is an excellent and neces­ which to base a family line. This can plished breeders whose wins mount sary method to forming an exhibition be accomplished in one's own aviary decade upon decade, many admit to stud (Le., a related strain or family by the breeding ofunrelated individu­ paying their dues perhaps in a num­ lines which retain specific attributes, als. However, the sustaining of such ber ofareas. Such realms may include qualities and uniform family charac­ qualities, from generation to genera­ the aviary, or birdroom, and the teristics, recognizable as distinctive tion, will only then be accomplished showbench certainly. And, some ofa related line ofbirds). through the future systematic breed­ search through the written accom­ Generally, the two alternatives to ing of relatives. Here, the object is to plishments of others' writing in the any type of livestock breeding produce uniformity within the stud. avicultural literature. But, perhaps inClude either the deliberate mating And, it is here that show winners are most valuable of all, is the 's of unrelated individuals or, the sys­ consistently produced, decade upon own studbook, which may contain a tematic mating of relatives. Notice decade. highly unique and undiscovered the emphasis on systematic which In fact, there is a place for both wealth ofinformation. does not include a random choice of systems in most breeding programs, True, there are those who may related partners! "That cock and that but it lies with the skill and know­ have an occasional win with a mag­ hen look good together and also hap­ ledge of the breeder to know which nificently groomed, large parrot or pen to be related;' is not an informed to employ, when, and how. well-conditioned finch. But, what choice and will be unlikely to secure Indiscriminate matings to some about the offspring of those same the physical attributes which will be extent, can and do occur naturally in individuals; why do they fall short by needed. There must be a conscious the wild. However, purposeful selec­ the same panel judges? Afterall, they awareness of the qualities to be set in tion is a primary ingredient to any were reared from an award winner! the future line, and even a planned system of linebreeding or inbreeding. The reason may be a simple matter of method ofbreeding. It is otherwise impossible to create a breeding technique and the establish­ In the first system of unrelated indi­ true family strain, which is necessary ment ofa family line. viduals, a wide divergence of type in order to retain the uniformity and As breeders of exhibition stock, results, and from these diverse types consistency of desirable qualities. It livestock breeding offers us two perhaps a few exceptional individ­ is not a "hit or miss" venture but choices. Do we want to produce off­ uals can be found. The emphasis, requires responsible study on the spring which retain the superior however, on mating unrelated stock breeder's part. traits of the parents, which we have is on the divergence of type. Such It is here that the breeder's own deemed valuable, or would we prefer practices may be completely appro­ stud book comes in handy. The qual­ to gamble with unrelated outcrosses, priate for undomesticated species ities of individual birds may be continually taking a chance on a such as parrots, finches and softbills, written down in the records and game ofgenetic roulette? or threatened and endangered spe­ assessed. A formidable wealth of There is only one way to guarantee cies. Here the goal is to assemble as information, custom-tailored to one's the uniform resemblance of individ­ large and divergent a as own aviary and future breeding pro­ uals and that is through selective possible, to perhaps stock all a partic­ gram, is there for the taking! Accu­ breeding, including properly used ular species' available genes in its rate record keeping, review and line breeding, and inbreeding tech­ future bank ofsurvival. assessment of your own information niques, where appropriate. Cer­ However, when utilizing the rules will tell you what you need to know. tainly, the haphazard practice of of genetics for the showbench, For example, in cockatiels such inbreeding in general has led to divergence of type may no longer be esteemed characteristics as size, sub­ disasters and should be discouraged. necessary, nor even appropriate! stance, equal proportions, large However, there is a major differ­ This is why aviculturists have advised cheek patches, full crest, etc. may be ence between careless inbreeding against buying from too many recorded. These qualities may be attempts by the uninformed, and sources, however excellent they are. sought out when preparing to pair responsible linebreeding, and breed- By using numerOus individuals which up birds for the breeding season. afa WATCHBIRD 49 Birds may then be caught up, their endeavors, it is well worth the zoned in your mind. Purchase the caged, and examined. Should a pair time to pursue such information. many books written on your favorite show a negative disparity in the same At this point, I must also warn species and study them. characteristic, the union can be against the hazards of inbreeding. In These societies usually have a show changed. One well-known principle general, I would definitely forego the standard, written and approved by as never breeding two birds together breeding of brother to sister matings national board members, and a certi­ with the samefault (no matter how if at all possible. Brother to sister fied panel of judges, who very often good the other qualities may be!), pairings are one of the best ways to themselves qualified through their might immediately be recognized. In encourage lethal genes and inferior own show wins and are recognized this instance, the birds should be re­ quality, as well as outstanding charac­ as the experts authorized to judge paired to other partners who do not teristics. As inbreeding brings both that variety. They are judging your carry the same fault. good and poor qualities to the sur­ entry according to the national stan­ In fact, ideally, pairs should first be face (observable in the ), dard to which they judge every other assessed separately in show cages expect to find both. bird around the country. (for closer, more accurate inspec­ A small amount of exceptional A bird which is judged by a national tion) or, at worst, in breeding pens. young may be produced, however, standard, who consistently receives Should the pair prove compatible in the practice of inbreeding should top bench placement by numerous characteristics or qualities the only be undertaken by the advanced panel judges, is rewarded beyond the breeder wishes to fix or "set" in the breeder who knows what he's doing material ribbons, trophies and cham­ line, breeding boxes can then be pro­ and why. One such example might pionship title it receives. In essence, vided. include the pairing of an outstanding it is its genes which are being A good breeding plan, one which is brother and sister of proven blood­ rewarded on the showbench! And, preferably written down, allows the lines, who are exceptional in a spe­ like all positive reinforcement, it will breeder to set concrete objectives. cific quality or qualities. Still, it is be this winning individual which the For example: "producing the desir­ usually the more seasoned exhibitor exhibitor will set up to breed the able crest qualities of fullness and who is experienced enough to recog­ follOWing season, in hope of passing density, graduating filaments, and an nize the strength, the uniqueness, or on the same exceptional quality or ideal length of2.75 inches, in over 50 even the existence ofsuch qualities. qualities to future generations. percent of current breeding stock set It is better in the long run to be By breeding back to that winning up from lines A and B;' may be set as patient and use a sensible plan. individual and establishing a line the objectives of the 1992 breeding Whether one is working with estab­ based on specific attributes, a family season. (Note: as the the ideal crest lishing a line of quality exhibition line will eventually be formed where length is 3 inches, it may not be prac­ birds or simply raising young for the future offspring will pass on these tical, or possible, to reach that objec­ pet trade, it is always preferable to desirable traits. It is these individuals tive in just one season. So, do not set produce strong, sturdy stock. It is up then, and the fixed traits passed objectives which are impossible to to the breeder to seek out informa­ down to their progeny, which should obtain and set your plan up for fail­ tion and take the responsibility of continue to do well on the show­ ure. Be patient, and realistic). creating a healthy stud in a respon­ bench in years to come. Depending upon the stage the sible manner. It is important to fully understand breeder is in, there may be more than Certainly, closed banding and accu­ the written Standard for those spe­ one objective sought in the overall rate record keeping are essential, and cies with which we work. Judges breeding plan, or different plans for oftop priority, not only to keep track place the individuals who most different lines. of basic information, but to allow the resemble the Standard with top Such objectives, once stated in breeder the advantage of keeping points, again reinforcing their genes writing, can eventually be assessed at track of quality attributes, breeding on the showbench, and the breeder the end of the breeding season. This histories, and other information will then go home to breed his show encourages feedback and review, which may encourage future pro­ winners, in hope of re-capturing allowing for improvements and a var­ gress on the showbench. future wins the next show season. iable ofcontrol over the results ofthe Even if a breeder chooses not to Should the Standard change, such season. After all, a good plan with exhibit, it should provide satisfaction new values and traits will become clear objectives will ultimately allow to know that the birds produced are part of the future breeding plan of the breeder to achieve stated goals, of good enough quality to show suc­ the exhibitor. As each new genera­ preventing wasted time or seasons of cessfully, should one eventually tion of birds win, their genes will haphazard breeding. The sheer choose to do so. Quality begets qual­ again be rewarded, becoming a part beauty of it is that no one else need ity, and whether a bird is intended for of next year's . know your progress, or setbacks, the showbench, the aviary, or simply Therefore, it is up to the breeder, and unless you choose to share this as a pet, there is no reason not to the national specialty society, to information. attempt to produce the very best at assemble a responsible standard There are numerous volumes writ­ every oppoltunity. which is in the best interest of the ten on avian husbandry, breeding for Many of the AFA national affiliated species, both in the present and, in show, and responsible breeding tech­ societies offer a genetics or breeding the future. niques for readers to explore. Such column by their consultants or suc­ topics as working with dominant cessful breeders of their variety. Join References traits, weeding out undesirable reces­ these organizations and learn all you Armour, Dr. M.D.S., Inbreeding Budge,·igars. sive traits, plus many other topics are London, England. 5th Edition. can from their literature. Study their Rubin, Linda, S. The Complete Guide To covered elsewhere in considerably written and pictorial Standard if they Cockatiel Color Mutaiions. Newton, MA. more detail. For breeders serious in should have one, until it is embla- First editon. c. 1988.• 50 June !July 1992 SAFE Bird Country is an ronmentallyfriendly pelletedgrassfiber Cage-Aviary Bedding • Safe-will pass through digestive tract, hatchlings included • Bitter herb added to discourage ingestion • Super absorbent, will not grow mold or fungus • Fresh, clean and NO DUST • Recommended by Avian Veterinarians • Used by breeders of many different species • Your satisfaction is guaranteed MMPP, P.o. 778, Lewistown, MT 59457 1-800-752-8864

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