| Record Keeping is essential for your flock, whether you own one bird, 20 birds, or 200 birds. It may sound like a boring, mundane task, however, next to cleanliness, record keeping can be the most important thing that you can do for your aviary. There are many different types and ways to keep records and every person has their own ideas as to what is important. The funny thing is that no matter what you decide to track you always end up needing something else. I've spent the last couple of months talking to various people to get their spin on record keeping, because I know that although my way works well for me, it is not the only way and it might not be the best way. The following paragraphs will share some examples of what to keep records on and why. At the end, I will give you a couple of sample sheets that you may feel free to copy and use if they look like they would suit your purposes. The most important message here is that you need to be responsible and keep records for your birds. They do not have anyone but you to rely upon and take care of them; we owe it to our birds to do the best possible job we can. As a pet owner, a breeder, or an exhibitor, the very basic and most important records should be health records. Health records should include hatch date (if available), date acquired, weight and vet visits along with illness, medication, and treatment. Weight is important - if you have it available - to show the vet during your visit. This will help to highlight any unusual gains or losses in your bird's weight, which in turn can help your vet in a diagnosis. Many people may wish to include expenses involved in vet visits and treatments. The next piece of information that should be required in your record keeping is a pedigree. Even if you have no plans to breed your bird and your bird is a much-loved pet, a pedigree can provide useful information. 1) The most important information on the pedigree is your bird's band number. If your bird is banded with a closed band, you can use that number to track and locate the breeder if you should have questions about your bird. Another need for the band number is identification. If your bird should escape and is found, it can be traced back to you through the band number if good records are kept. If in the future you decide you want another bird, you may reference your pedigree and contact one of the breeders for help in finding a suitable mate or new family pet. 2) Hopefully, your pedigree will contain a minimum of three generations with band numbers of parents and grandparents, which will allow you to determine whether there has been any inbreeding. Band numbers appearing in more than one location on a pedigree is your first indication of inbreeding. This is something you should be wary of. Only a few of the advanced breeder/exhibitors have sufficient knowledge to be able to line-breed related birds this closely. Many newer cockatiel breeders do not yet have the knowledge to line-breed safely, nor have the quality of birds with which to do so without repercussions. One of the most common faults that can be tracked to inbreeding is bald heads in many of the red-eye varieties, such as Fallows and Lutinos. In-breeding defects can also be seen in the form of seizures or deformities, and it can manifest itself with internal issues that can result in early death, immune deficiencies or other health issues. Usually, someone who bands their birds should be able to provide you with a pedigree and be able to give you background information, at minimum, on the parent birds. As a word of caution, if the breeder doesn't have a pedigree available, you might want to be a bit wary. If they happen to colony breed (allowing all the birds in one flight to choose their own partners), you will have no idea of the bird's background, and very likely, neither will the breeder. |
Copyright 2007 Cockatiel Foundation, Inc.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| "Providing Resources to the Cockatiel Community" The Cockatiel Foundation, founded in June 2007, began out of a growing need in the avicultural community to address all areas of cockatiel culture. The Foundation offers its members programs for pet owners, breeders and exhibitors, in addition to services never before addressed in the cockatiel community. CF is establishing a Cockatiel Adoption & Placement Program necessary for the placement and rehoming of cockatiels to new, permanent "forever" homes. CF address the needs of our Youth Members in the CF Youth & Education Program developed for tomorrows' next generation of cockatiel aviculturists. Additional special interest programs include: Companion Care Nutrition Avian Medicine Hobby Breeding Professional Breeding Color Mutations Genetics Exhibition and more ... The Cockatiel Foundation serves all cockatiel owners needs - from breeders, exhibitors, and pet companion bird owners - to cockatiel adoption, placement and youth education for tomorrows cockatiel afficianados. Please read our Membership benefits and peruse the website. When you join as a CF Member, you will have access to the Members' Only Area. COME JOIN US! |
| Maintaining Useful Flock Records for Cockatiels © 2006 SHIRLEY J. BIGHAM "All Rights Reserved" |
My
Flock's
Records...
Flock's
Records...
Founded June 3, 2007
| Announcing! CockatielFoundation DotCom |
| group For Foundation Members! Not a Member? Join now! |