Questions, Breeder Reports and Tips for Big Bird!

Please post this weeks unrelated questions here.

Questions

Sunday - Soft Moult

Hi Linda,
Great site. Do you have any advice on stopping soft moult in Borders.
I'm in England and my best var yellow hen has started dropping feathers again after finishing her moult. I may have caused it by showing her too early at a young stock show-she came first.
Also is there any way of getting the coated seed in England as I can't find a website for wall seed company. I think your articles on Border confirmation are excellent.
Thanks,Regards Laurie.

Answer:

Thanks Laurie for the great question! Soft moult is characterized by loss of small feathers and no long feathers. It is important to stop as these birds can not compete and if not stopped will not breed when the breeding season comes.

The good news is that soft moult is easy to stop if you switch to a totally only high carb seeds, food and no high protein seeds (oily seeds are also high protein) or no animal proteins. Good food includes such things as straight canary seed, oats, millet, white bread, cous cous. In addition, add multiple vitamin B to the water.

Will check on a web site for Bird of Paradise from Wall Seed. I am pretty sure they have one.

Bird Show Dreams - Click on each photo for a real view

Roller GLEE CLUB try outs are scheduled for next Tuesday!


Wow! Look at the color depth on this Stafford Mosaic Mask!



A number of my Borders look good in the head and back but I need them to stand up and show some THIGH!

I am headed for St. Louis tomorrow and can't wait to judge their type and color birds! See you there!!

This Weeks Breeder Reports, Questions and Tips

Please post this weeks unrelated items here.

Perfect Time For Spray Millet

My Borders really enjoy my homemade millet swings!


Taking a moment to see what Big Bird is up to!


Delicious!


They also enjoy eating and climbing Millet loops!


Millet is a good high carbohydrate seed which along with other high carb foods such as oatmeal, canary seed, and wheat help birds finish the molt promptly!

Playing Catch-Up

The two mid July hatching German Rollers are finishing their molt quickly but behind the other birds. Notice the feather shafts on this ones head.


Surprisingly, the one male is twittering along at the same stage as the other young males! Bird on the right is a hen and needs to moved out of his cage to prevent some song faults.

Questions and Tips for Big Bird!

Please use this post for unrelated questions and tips.

Sink Colander

Recently, I purchased this inexpensive sink colander at ALDI's.

The sides expand to fit any sink and is it ever handy for rinsing sprouting seeds. I am using a lot of sprouted wheat now to encourage the birds to finish the molt.

This summer has really gotten away from me and having this pumpkin sitting near my fireplace helps me get in touch with the fact that Fall is here and I better get ready for the upcoming Bird Shows!

Bringing Out Border Confirmation

After working with Borders a number of years now, I have learned that this breed, whether due to poor adsorption or genetic expectation, requires more vitamins than most breeders would suspect. When they get adequate nutrients their heads, back and underline all improve. That can be the difference in getting Best Border and getting Best in Show!

The most amazing result are seen when Borders are fed the special wheat germ oil and vitamin coated seed sold only by Birds of Paradise from Wall Seed Company! This mix prepared by store owner Nancy Prestor is masterly coated so that it is not too much and not too little and will enhance Border Confirmation in just a few days! Call her at 316 263-0850 or 800 8782473. If you have Borders this is a must!!

In addition, my Borders get the poultry vitamins in the water, molting formula egg food daily containing petamine and scenic hand feeding vegetable protein based formula, crushed microwaved egg shells, oatmeal, peas and corn or broccoli, sprouted sunflower and wheat, ABBA green 92, and soft white bread.