As I've now moved into the hobby of exhibition Budgerigars from years of exhibiting Rough Collies, principles remain the same, to a certain extent. Only picking out your quality stock in pristine condition. As with every beauty show, your preparation should be carried out well in advance of the shows you intend to enter. In this article I can only talk of the way that I have interpreted the show preparation for the birds to be exhibited. Over a period of time I make assessments on the stock in whole and then make notes of birds that I feel can do justice, particularly my Breeders birds, which will be carrying the current year ring and will have come to a certain period in their development. Paying attention to width of skull width of shoulder, depth of mask and length of body, plus, which is needed in any bird, deportment. Naturally at the beginning, and just learning the ropes it's always good to ask someone for their advice if you're unsure, as most fanciers will only be too glad to help. Eventually you'll be able to come to your own conclusions, but in the early show scene, it can be costly to try your own methods. So now we've selected the birds that we intend to show who have been getting fit in the flights. We take them to a stock cage and let them settle. During the next couple of weeks with your potential winners caught up, you'll be assessing them when you visit the bird room. I start with spraying the birds using a spray bottle got from a garden centre, in fact two of them are more suitable as later in the article, I will explain. Put some Johnson's Baby shampoo in the bottle and then fill with water, I usually, in the first spray, soak the birds early in the day. They look wretched, but during the day will dry, and will start preening. I continue to spray the solution every other day, using a fine gentle mist, again to encourage preening of the plumage. Up until a few days before the show, and after the initial shampoo to clean the feather, I then start using the second spray bottle, but this time using soft water, which is boiled and let cool a little bit before use on the birds. I usually would wash the heads of the birds with a toothbrush, again with the Johnson's Baby shampoo. All along keep an eye for any bird that may burst a quill, which can spoil the exhibit if not dealt with. At all times you must remember, that if you go to the show and you haven't spent the time preparing the stock, then you are not taking the hobby serious. At this stage I would like to also mention that not only the bird should be to the best condition when put into a competition the cage, to which it is to be exhibited must also be in good condition, Its really low maintenance with these cages. Just remove the front, screw out the perches, sand, dust and Undercoat/Gloss (WHITE), and wire front, the same. Likewise to the outside, using Dark grey Undercoat and a coat of black gloss. When dry, reassemble. How easy is that? It makes the difference, believe me, if you come down to a close decision. So we are back to our birds. They need to have the necklace of spots in such a manner, as four large, round spot are visible, with two of the remaining spots covered by the cheek patches. Never rush this preparation, as you've nearly your exhibit ready. Slow and methodical is the way with a pair of tweezers, although some fanciers chose to cut or pull the unwanted spots by thumb and forefinger. But as I said previous, this is how I prepare my birds. Dipping the tail in a cup of hot water and running the access off by using my finger and thumb deal with the tails. Repeated if necessary. Some fanciers also use the method of steaming to do this. It must be stressed also that the bird for exhibition must have had training in a show cage prior to getting to this stage also a simple but most important part of the exhibition Budgerigar. So as each stage progresses put each of the potential show team in the show cage to analyse the weeks of pampering. If a bird should drop any of its spots, or tail feathers, it is a pointless exercise to keep this bird in the team as it would be an insult to the judge plus yourself to do so. So the big day arrives. Show day for the beginner. Furnish the bottom of your show cage with an ordinary seed, as anything else may be deemed a marked cage, Make sure to have either finger drawer drinkers or the new BS approved drinker for your birds. Check the schedule for the times that exhibits will be accepted. Also when it a is time to collect your birds, try and be at the show venue in good time. Hand in your entry to the show secretary who will mark your labels and take entry fee. Make sure to have right labels on the cages for that class and colour. The stewards will then bench your team. So hopefully you'll return later and you'll have done well.

Always remember, to be courteous whether you win or lose. Learn from all experiences and remember that it's a person's decision on that day and all your fellow exhibitors have also entered to win.

Michael Browne B7170/NOVICE BREEDER OF EXHIBITION BUDGERIGARS