Budgerigar mutations and keeping

[robert]

Damo and Finchperson, it is such a pity that mutation breeding and the breeding of the pure strains don't easily mix. Whatever the theory,in practice it seems that the two don't often go together.This is especially noticeable in Peachface Lovebirds. Of course there are plently of green Peachface. But that is not the same thing,as to whether they are the pure strain. I know people who are convinced that that there are no, or hardly any pure strain Peachface in Australia.Devotes of Mutation breeding might say and do say,that there are plently of green Peachface.Well!! It is such a pity ,that there are not more people,who enjoy mutation breeding and enjoy the maintaining of the pure strain.I don't think this affects the Peachface alone. I would hate to see the day when the Government o'kays The selective cathing by people with the appropiate permit of the Bush Budgie all because we have none left in captivity. I am more sympathic, if down the track ,that there is so much inbreeding in the Bush Budgie,that there is a need to acquire new blood,so to speak. Hope this makes sense
from Robert and Precious

[finchperson]

I agree with you robert, I personly think that (although mutations are pretty) we should keep the pure strain alive. It is likely that one day the pure strain bush budgie will be lost in captivity. It will be terrible if captive pure strain budgies will become nothing but history!!

[avinet]

A really good book for some history of the budgie mutations is "The Complete Book of Budgerigars" by John Scoble. It was published in 1981 by Lansdowne Press, and reprinted several times up until 1987.

a copy is on Ebay at present - item number 350248920385. Well worth buying if you are interested in Budgie mutation for the historical perspective. I have my copy so won't be bidding against you

cheers,

Mike

[finchperson]

Ive read that book before. It's good

[finchperson]

Does anybody know if scaley mites in budgies can kill them. I was looking at a 10 to 15 metre long avairy at a campsite at east beach, Kiama, NSW and there were a few budgies that had scaley mites. The other birds (Cockatiels, Ringnecks, Doves, Rosellas & Red Rumped Parrakeets) seemed to be illness free.

[avinet]

Scaley mite can kill a budgie - eventually the sinuses get blocked and the growths can move inside the beak. It can also spread to the feet - making them eventually too deformed to be used and it can spread to other areas such as around the vent. Most other parrots don't seem to catch it, or very rarely at least. I've only ever seen it in one cockatiel, and never in a ringneck, rosella or red-rump and very rarely in small doves.

cheers,

Mike

[finchperson]

Those poor budgies proberly died, they looked very sick!