breeding-recordkeeping

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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.

3) Other information on your pedigree should include the color mutation and any exhibition show points earned,
Champion, or Grand Champion status, or other awards earned by the parents and grandparents. Having
Champions in the background of your bird does not affect a cockatiel’s ability to be a good pet. It indicates that your
bird comes from very good quality stock and you should be proud and secure in the knowledge that someone with
advanced breeding experience has bred it. It is important that, as the owner of a pet cockatiel, you get the healthiest
baby possible so you will have your pet for many long, happy years ahead.

4) Should you decide to become a breeder your pedigree card becomes an even more invaluable piece of
information. As indicated above, you need to be very careful about breeding related birds. If your male and female
decide to make babies and you just can't bear to part with their offspring – then you must take precautions to
separate the babies as they mature. You don't want brothers and sisters, or father and daughters, or mother and
sons breeding – this is a certain path to a lot of heartbreak. This is when banding your own babies and

"Providing Resources
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The Cockatiel Foundation,
founded in June 2007,
began out of a growing
need in the avicultural
community to offer its
members programs for pet
owners, breeders and
exhibitors, in addition to
services never before
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CF is establishing a
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Placement Program to hrlp
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C. 2007 Mike & Betty Petty

My
Flock's
Records...

Continued ...